2020 Office Design Trends
Improving the built environment through design
Driven by constant innovation and the fast-pace at which businesses operate, it’s
more important than ever for properties to continue evolving to keep pace with ever-
changing, ever-expanding needs of business. As new technologies drive progress,
the competition for top talent intensifies, and the lines between business and leisure
become increasingly blurred. Today, office environments are much more than a place
to work. Offices are a brand statement, and a true reflection of the businesses core
values, cultural identity, and vision.
With the spotlight shining ever-brighter on the office environment in 2020, properties
are being developed and reimagined as more dynamic, authentic, sustainable, and
hospitable than ever before. These are the office design trends of 2020.
Sustainability Wellness Hospitality- Dynamic &
& Well-being inspired Functional
Emerging design themes. Office design is constantly evolving. By working with some of the
most forward-thinking architectural firms, building management organizations, workspace
planners, and our very own elite interior landscape designers, we’re able to identify rising trends
across large, small, and emerging markets throughout North America. Some of the overarching
themes that we’ve discovered heading into 2020 are:
Creative & Authentic Color Collaboration
Inspiring & Personal Saturation & Community
Macro Trends
Effects architecture, engineering,
and design on a large scale
Macro Trend 1:
Dynamic Flexibility
Image courtesy of NeoCon
In today’s modern business environment it’s absolutely necessary to have an integrated
workplace that adapts your space to your real-time business needs. The Dynamic Flexibility
trend is just that, the direction ensuring that offices are multi-functioning spaces capable of
a complete transformation from meeting room, to production studio, to podcast studio, to a
private office in the blink of an eye. Focusing on freeing up valuable office real estate, this
trend is well on its way to becoming the ‘new normal’ as work environments shift towards
more human-centric, collaborative, and active spaces spearheaded by innovation.
Inspirations
Above all, flexibility and the capacity to
adapt and transform are the most
essential ingredients in these spaces.
• Collaborative
• Active spaces
• Adaptable and dynamic
• Human-centric
• All-hands areas
Key Features
• Furniture-forward
• Lightweight
• Moveable / wheels
• Ergonomic
• Multi-functional
Image courtesy of NeoCon
Macro Trend 2:
Wooden that be Nice
Wood is making a comeback. As businesses become more focused on sustainability and
hone their brand messages to attract top talent, facilities have adopted a more environmentally
conscious attitude to meet their employee and tenant expectations. One way property developers
are responding to these changing design tides is by incorporating sustainably sourced, recycled,
and reclaimed wood into their building’s interior designs. Wood provides an undeniable character,
biophilic textures, lines, and warmth to traditionally sterile office environments, giving office spaces
a more authentic and organic (but not rustic) motif. Key features for this trend include the use of
linear wood paneling and slatted wood designs to create depth, draw the eye towards important
architectural or functional features, and leave employees and visitors feeling inspired.
Inspirations
Architecturally-oriented designs
providing texture and depth while
infusing a sense of authenticity.
• Biophilic design
• Raw and authentic
• Natural and organic
• Environmentally conscious
• Local nature connection
Key Features
• Linear, slatted wood
• Warm and textured
• Structural and wall construction
• Natural accent details
• Biomorphic forms and patterns
Macro Trend 3:
Community in a Remote World
In order to adapt to an increasingly remote business world in which 70 percent of professionals are
now working off-site at least one day per week, businesses are working with designers to create
more inviting, comfortable, and inspiring spaces for their employees. The Community trend takes a
lot of its design inspiration from business-focused hotel brands; offering features such as restaurants,
bars, fireplaces, comfortable furniture, game rooms, and more. The goal is to achieve a more vibrant
and hospitable space that employees want to go to, because organizations with highly spirited and
energetic office environments have a stronger cultural identity. Facilitating these upgrades benefits
the business in ways that telecommuting or flexible working can’t. This trend is a deliberate attempt
to achieve a sense of community, comfort, and increased morale through design.
Inspirations
Environments that encourage
creativity and core values where
the lines of business and leisure
are blurred.
• Community-oriented
• Cementing core values
• Social hubs
• Collision-inspired design
• Wellness and active spaces
Key Features
• Collaborative environments
• Warm and welcoming
• Indoor-outdoor blurred transitions
• Soft and plush elements
• Home-styled fixtures
Photo courtesy of wework waterhouse square coworking offices london
Macro Trend 4:
Striking Sustainability
Striking Sustainability is, at its roots, the combination of sustainable design and wellness design.
These two design applications work closely together to create spaces that integrate sustainably
sourced and “green” building materials into a space while emphasizing human-centric design.
This trend incorporates the entire spectrum of certifications that have emerged over the past
several years and is working to spurr total facility optimization in new and unforeseen ways.
Buildings have evolved beyond energy efficiency, and environmental compliance. Buildings in
2020 will work to increase human performance while combating losses in productivity due to
poor design. This has led to the adoption of Biophilic design as a fundamental design element
meant to promote employee happiness, productivity, creativity, and more. Ultimately, the goal is
to establish a more harmonious relationship between nature, our buildings, and ourselves.
Inspirations
Buildings that work harmoniously
with the environment connect
occupants with the natural world.
• Environmentally conscious
• Wellness and well-being
• LEED, WELL Building Standard,
and FitWel certifications
• Corporate responsibility
• Material connection with nature
Key Features
• Minimally processed materials
• Natural woods and stone features
• Highly designed green spaces
• Workspace utilization technologies
• Natural lighting
Micro Trends
Smaller in scale and typically aesthetic and immediate in nature.
Micro trends don’t involve any structural work.
Micro Trend 1:
Monochromatic Complexion
The Oxford dictionary defines monochromatic as “containing or using only one color,” which
only tells half the story when it comes to design. Monochromatic color schemes are the
newest iteration of what can only be referred to as a color explosion that’s been taking place in
commercial environments over the past several years. These exquisite color palettes only use
one color, but they use the entire spectrum of shades, tones, and hints of that particular color
to convey a uniform, authentic, and easily recognizable brand theme. This purposeful design
strategy draws people in through creative expression, as buildings look to establish a holistic
unified image showcasing key functions and personality.
Inspirations
Energized spaces created through the
refinement of color are increasingly
paramount, as companies double-down
on design.
• Creative inspiration
• Character and personality
• Human-centric
• Holistic brand aesthetic
• Purposeful design
Key Features
• Variation of tone, shade, and tint
• Textures and patterns
• One brand-focused color
• Soft hues and bold, dramatic
shades
• Precious stone palettes and
matte finishes
Micro Trend 2:
Hanging Horticulture
Plants are more popular in office environments than ever before. Bolstered by the emergence
of living green walls and moss walls as staples of well-being and branding, it’s safe to say that
plants have officially rooted themselves in contemporary office design. With floor space at a
premium, designers are turning to an unlikely place to integrate their vegetation: ceilings. For
interior designers who are striving to maximize space and the performance of the facility, the
human ceiling is the next frontier in office design. This trend helps to maximize their property’s
premium floor space while opening up endless possibilities to showcase greenery.
Popular hanging plants include moss walls with birds nest or boston ferns planted within,
airplants, various types of ivy, and pothos.
Inspirations
In this era of maximizing floor
space, designs are turning to new
heights incorporating floating
gardens as essential components
of the visual aesthetic.
• Wellness and active spaces
• Immersive experiences
• Visual points of interest
• Inspired creativity
• Biophilic design
Key Features
• Moss balls and airplants
• Birds nest, pothos, boston ferns
• Scattered, clustered, and
varied vegetation
• Natural and organic woods
• Highly designed elements
Micro Trend 3:
Modern Modular
Photo courtesy of Neocon
The Modern Modular trend is an extension of the Dynamic Spaces trend from year’s past and
focuses on the amazing innovations that are emerging in office design, allowing businesses to
work smarter, more effectively, and create an environmentally conscious workspace for their
employees. Beyond modular offices, dynamic desks, and lounge areas, there’s also simplified
office equipment such as computer stands, a multiplicity of ergonomic chairs, standing balance
boards for desks, and lockers for a sense of place in such a flexible space. Office furniture is
going through a period of rapid innovation unlike anything we’ve encountered before, and we’re
excited for this arsenal of modern equipment to hit offices everywhere.
Inspirations
Innovative spaces incorporating
dynamic, modular elements for
employees to be more creative,
active, and productive.
• Flexible designs
• Dynamic and multifunctional
• Active spaces
• Wellness and well-being
• Human-centric
Key Features
• Ergonomic and exercise
furniture
• Dynamic workstations
• Insulated phone booths
and pods
• Modular and lightweight
• Personal space
Photo courtesy of Neocon
Micro Trend 4:
Domesticated Workspaces
In an effort to create a more comfortable and homestyle working environment, facility managers
and designers are working to integrate the comforts of home into the office, making workspaces
feel more domestic than ever before. The Domesticated Workspace trend stems from commercial
spaces increased interest in hospitality environments, specifically hotels that cater to business
travelers. The fusion of designs has the potential to revolutionize the way that office environments
are perceived in the long run.
This design’s benefits are twofold for office employees; one being an upgrade to a more
welcoming and relaxed space that’s overall more satisfying and conducive to working more
effectively. The other benefit is to attract remote workers back into the office by creating offices
that employees are excited about and engage with, strengthening team dynamics and morale.
Inspirations
Workspaces that incorporate
home-inspired designs and social
elements centered on the people’s
desire to live, work, and play
• Office-hospitality fusion
• Warm and welcoming
• Millennial workforce
• Community oriented
• Comfort and liveable
Key Features
• Household amenities
• Varied potted plants
• Throw pillows and area rugs
• Coffee tables with board games
• Natural and organic textures
Design revolutionizes our lives.
We believe in bringing your vision to life.
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