There is no doubt that COVID-19 has dramatically changed how we view office design.
Throughout the pandemic, many companies had to find innovative ways to ensure that safety in the workplace remains a top priority while still maintaining corporate culture, securing high levels of productivity and efficiency, and promoting a much-needed sense of employee well-being.
It has certainly been a challenge for many offices to adapt to the numerous changes over the past two years, so it is no surprise that top office design trends have also shifted with the times.
It’s official: cubicle farms and rigid partitions are out. Modern design elements are beginning to feature more dynamic spaces that can be easily adapted to fit the needs of an ever-changing workforce.
Since many people have spent at least part of the last two years in social isolation, the best way to foster more collaboration and teamwork amongst your employees is to ensure that your space is versatile enough to accommodate a variety of interactions with colleagues.
Add pods to your office space.
As many businesses adopted an open concept office design, flexible workspaces and “pod” style layouts became more popular. In times of social distancing, they proved to be especially useful, but even in post-pandemic office environments, they are perfect for adding an element of privacy to open spaces.
When employees are in the office, they often seek out safe and confidential places to work in. As remote workers return to the office and the number of employees in the workforce continues to fluctuate, employees may find themselves without a sense of belonging in their office. This is where pods come in.
Many of these pods feature small private spaces with enough room to work alone or with a small group, as well as soft seating and outlets for laptop charging. Some pods are even soundproof so that employees may hold meetings and talk to one another in a convenient, secure manner.
Incorporate more flexible furniture.
If pods are unsuitable for your office space, consider adding furniture that can easily adjust to the needs of your workplace. Rather than large tables and fixed chairs, opt for smaller tables and chairs with wheels that can be pushed together during times of collaboration and then pulled apart later for independent work.
This workplace design is incredibly popular in small office spaces in the post-pandemic era, as most employees are more conscious about health and safety in their office environments. This flexible office design not only allows your workforce to feel safe and comfortable in their offices but also to modify their space for ideal levels of productivity.
Xenali offers unlimited options to create inspirational office space that employees look forward to working in. Let us help bring your vision to life by scheduling a consult with one of our design experts today.