5 Office Design Trends You Need to Know for 2024

Every year work is changing. And for many businesses across the world, it feels like this change is accelerating. People are getting more in touch with their individual workstyles, and want to work in spaces that help them feel most productive.

Do you want to attract the best talent to your business? It goes beyond offering a great salary. You have to create an environment that attracts talent, addressing issues like privacy and diverse working styles, while also encouraging team morale in a way that feels organic. This is the state of work in 2024, which is why we think these following office design trends are here to stay. Keep scrolling to see them all.

Hybrid work isn’t going anywhere. And with office attendance higher than pre-pandemic levels, we envision workspaces incorporating more functionality into their fitouts. This means more multipurpose spaces that transform from hot desking to collaborative setups and even boardroom layouts. Modular furniture, moveable walls, and more will allow spaces to expand and contract depending on how many people are in the office at a given time.

2. Inclusive Design

Traditional offices carry a strong sense of hierarchy. Managers are locked behind closed doors with glazed windows. Mid-level employees are blocked into sound-proof cubicles. Different departments work on different floors, and the CEO is probably in a different area entirely. 

The open-plan office has single-handedly levelled the playing field between upper and lower management for modern teams. Having accessible management makes a powerful statement about a company’s culture. But inclusive design isn’t simply about tearing down the walls and adding more hot desks. In 2024, we’re seeing more businesses include:

• Meditation and quiet spaces

• Ergonomic standing desks and chairs for different types of workers

• More natural light (or natural-like lighting)

• Accessibility for differently abled employees

3. Personal Spaces Are Back

Open-plan offices shaped the modern office landscape. Tried and tested across many industries, it has its advantages, but there are some drawbacks. These drawbacks are particularly apparent when it comes to performing solo work. Without private spaces or office pods, it’s extremely difficult for individuals to work productively in spaces built entirely around communication and collaboration. 

This year we believe that businesses will take into consideration all types of work styles when designing their fitouts. This could play out as more personal, private offices set up on the outskirts of open collaborative spaces.

4. Mental Health & Wellbeing

Work blends into the home. The home blends back into the office. In 2024, there’s very little separation between both. As personal and professional life becomes more blurry, many are prioritising mental health and wellbeing to stay balanced and avoid burnout. To meet the needs of an ever-transforming workforce, fitouts will be designed to promote employee wellbeing. 

With plants and greenery shown to reduce stress and improve mood, the new year will welcome new ideas of biophilic fitout design. Breakout spaces will be designed around comfortability, allowing individuals to fully decompress during break times. Office kitchen spaces will feel even more homely with fully operational ranges, minibars, and coffee machines.

5. Finding a Balance Between Hybrid & Traditional

We’re in a transitional state of office fitout design. Business owners want the versatility of open-plan layouts, yet they understand that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Open-plan layouts tend to be louder, and borderline unproductive for more introverted workers. 

On the other end of the spectrum, completely traditional offices can separate teams, reduce camaraderie, and discourage collaboration and idea sharing. Designers will be looking to incorporate traditional elements alongside functional hybrid office designs to meet the needs of every worker.

Are we living in a post-hybrid world? Will offices start looking more like our homes? Reply with what fitout trends you think will rise up in 2024.