Five ways the increasingly mobile workforce are transforming office interiors

How we work is quickly changing. All indications say the future with be all about working remotely; shepherding in a level of flexibility that has never been seen before in 'traditional' offices.

This new type of workforce will not only see the atmosphere in the workplace transform but the office interiors themselves will change vastly too. With fewer employees entering the office, some popping in and out during the week, and employers who are starting to offer more flexible environments, the modern workplace will transform accordingly.

So to understand how the increasingly mobile workforce is transforming the office, we've put together five points that indicate just that.

How mobile working is transforming office interiors

Dedicated desks are becoming a thing of the past. As more employees start working from home or only come into work on certain days of the week, it makes little sense that the business should stick with individual, assigned desks.

Instead, office interiors are becoming more agile in their set-ups, with collaboration spaces and unassigned seating becoming increasingly the norm. This will help to better serve employees who float in-and-out, as well as give the permanent occupants an opportunity to work in different environments to suit their needs on any given day.

Breakout spaces and lounge areas are becoming a thing of the future. Whilst many people do tend to work more productivity within a traditional desk-and-chair layout, many others feel better when they work from a sofa or a bean bag. This is why offices are starting to include a mixture of different environments and furniture within their spaces; offering employees the option of a laid back and a traditional office set-up.

Different working environments may contain collaborative tables (for those who want to work in a relaxed manner and/or to socialise with their fellows), soundproofing or private working spaces/pods for people who need to work alone or in quiet.

Another type of environment that forward-thinking businesses are introducing within their office interiors is the wellness space;areas that are designed to improve the mental and physical health of employees whilst at work. Such initiatives include 'green' areas that bring plants (real and imitation), natural light and air conditioning within working spaces.Wellness rooms are also popular; meditation, yoga and cardio fitness can help workers to relax and refocus the mind. Some businesses even introduce bars and games rooms for their employees; you wouldn't have thought that shooting some pool or a legion of alien invaders on a video game helps to relax the mind, but it really does!

The rise of the smaller conference. Traditional boardrooms and conference rooms usually encompassed tables that were big enough to host 20 people; however, these have become a casualty of the remote working movement. In their place, smaller conference rooms that fit four-to-six people and a resource/media facility are fast-becoming the new norm for meeting rooms.

In this new mobile climate, many workers are beginning to come into the office solely for face-to-face meetings with their fellows or to bring in clients for presentations and conferences. This all means that employees are specifically coming into the office only to access the meeting facilities, so offices should be sizing these spaces accordingly.

Cutting the bind between the home and the office. As technology connects us with people in multiple locations around the world (let alone in the same town/city) instantaneously, any business that has to deal with clients/employees off-site must have the proper technology to hand.

This is why the usage of VoIP phones, which make phone calls through the internet (rather than the landline), is steadily growing; they offer that instant connection. They ensure that all employees are on the same page when it comes to their work and meetings can take place between teams, no matter where the constituent members are; be they in another area of the office, at home, outside or indeed, anywhere on the planet (that has an internet connection!)

Smaller offices mean a smaller carbon footprint. A reduction in space will not only allow the business to get the most from its office interiors,saving money on space they don't need, far fewer people means less energy and water usage too; saving the business' pocket further as well as the environment.

For employees, the opportunity to work remotely will also mean no commuting;not only saving them the time, effort and cost, (we all know commuting can be difficult!) but it will also reduce air pollution too, helping to reduce their carbon footprint. These changes will not happen overnight and it will require a huge number of people from around the world, but if we all do our bit to reduce the energy we use, will we definitely see new benefits in the future.

So those were the five main ways that mobile working is affecting the modern office workplace. If you're interested in taking a more flexible approach to your office design, why not get in touch with the experts here at Oaktree Interiors?

Improve your office fit out for the long term with Oaktree Interiors

Throughout the last 30 years, the office designers and office fitters here at Oaktree have been creating workplace interiors for a wide array of businesses; from large corporations to small,local firms. No matter their requirements, budget or timescale, we have a proven experience of creating customised office interiors that lay the foundations for potential future success.

Why not get in touch with us to learn more about our work? Don't hesitate to give us a call on 0345 21 86955 or send an e-mail to hello@oaktreeoffice.com and we'll be in touch as soon as possible.

Five Ways The Increasingly Mobile Workforce Are Transforming Office Interiors

How mobile working is transforming office interiors

Improve your office fit out for the long term with Oaktree Interiors

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