15 Office Interior Design Ideas Trending in 2023

As the epidemic drove us to work from home, it emphasized the value of human interaction and cooperation in the workplace. With the return to the workplace, fostering an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and productivity is critical. This article highlights fifteen modern office interior design concepts that can assist firms in meeting these objectives.

1. Collaborative 

Such collaborative spaces give an opportunity to brainstorm and interact more efficiently and engagingly. This must be a part of your interior design if you’re a business that requires a team of professionals often coming together to build something.

Source: Officelovin

We’re certainly done with the pandemic, but the after-effects are sure to last much longer. While we learned to adapt and operate remotely through it all, embraced the silver lining of the situation - the comfort of home, the depression and demotivation due to working alone, became a real challenge. As we return to the pre-COVID working system, it is the primordial need for human interaction and connection that has allured the employees back to offices. 

Thus, collaborative spaces in offices have become an essential need of the hour. Not only that, there has been a significant shift in traditional working methods. Now more than ever, innovation and collaboration are encouraged in the workplace. With the help of collaborative spaces, businesses can foster a culture of teamwork, creativity, and productivity. So if you're looking to create an office that promotes collaboration and supports your team's needs, consider incorporating collaborative spaces into your office interior design. These spaces include open workstations, breakout areas, meeting rooms, or informal work settings. 

2. Adaptive and Flexible

This sort of flexible and adaptive working possibility not only reduces physical fatigue but also fosters a feeling of being valued,  trusted, and cared for, in the employees. It makes working fun, comfortable and efficient.

Source: Designmilk

Photo credits: Thomas Leclerc

Another major shift in the work culture that we are noticing as a growing trend is, how more and more businesses are becoming mindful of the need for flexibility and have shunned old rigid ways of operating. Gone are those days when the employees were to be tied in a cubicle to get the maximum productivity out of them. Flexibility and versatility have become vital components of modern office interior design in today's fast-paced commercial sector. 

Businesses want places that can adapt to changing demands and support various work styles, whether it's to accommodate new technology or to respond to unanticipated occurrences.

Flexible furniture configurations, for example, might enable employees to work separately or in groups, depending on their needs. Modular furniture, whether for collaborative projects or private offices, may be adjusted to meet changing demands. Furthermore, adaptable spaces, such as conference rooms that can also be utilized as break-out areas or mobile workstations that can be moved about the workplace, can serve several tasks.

3. A touch of nature

Let your feet savor the softness of the grass even while you’re working from your office! The bigger the office space you have, the more the possibilities of getting creative with bringing nature inside your office space. 

Source: Designboom

Biophilic design is a design concept that combines natural elements into interior environments to create a healthier and more productive workplace. The concept underlying biophilic design is that people have an intrinsic connection to nature and that adding natural elements into interior settings may improve our mental and physical well-being. Green walls and indoor gardens, as well as natural materials such as wood and stone, are instances of biophilic design components.

There are various advantages to biophilic design. Nature has been demonstrated to alleviate stress, regulate blood pressure, and boost cognitive performance. According to studies, workers who work in biophilic workplaces are more content with their work environment and are more likely to stay with their company.

4. Upscale Interiors

It is all about the design for the employees over the utility for employers. It is luxury and aesthetics that attract the employees back to the office. This design is the epitome of aesthetics and luxury because of the nature integrated with the working space, minimalistic furniture design, color palette, and lighting.

Project: Off the Grid Office
Source: Engraff.ro

Now, more than ever before, the design of the space is treated more important than anything else. Top companies have been focusing on getting their interior spaces that would attract employees back to the office. A sure-shot way of achieving this has been “hotelification of the workplace". Have you ever walked into an office and felt like you were stepping into a luxury hotel? That's the concept behind the "hotelification of the workplace," a growing trend in office design that integrates hotel-like amenities and features into the workplace.

Gone are the days of uncomfortable chairs and drab lighting. Instead, offices are incorporating comfortable seating, common areas, high-quality lighting, air conditioning, and even food and beverage services into their design. The idea behind this trend is to create a more pleasant and welcoming work environment that boosts employee satisfaction and productivity.

5. Work and Play 

These community spaces are a must for every office these days. 

Project: Google Orange County Office 

Post-Covid, it is quite evident that people have had a taste of the best of both working lifestyles. And while employees working remotely miss the boost of motivation of working along with colleagues, they also love the comfort of their homes. Businesses today are changing their old rigid ways and choosing ways to offer a versatile working environment for their employees. 

This could look like a perfect blend of home, work, and the third spaces - integration of spaces with different purposes and ambiances to create a holistic, flexible, and dynamic work environment. This can include making workplace rooms seem more like home, as well as introducing features of third places - public locations outside of work and home where people can socialize and relax - into office design.

This trend involves incorporating elements of third places, such as coffee shops, libraries, and gyms, into office design to provide a more relaxed and informal atmosphere for employees. Third places within the office can encourage accidental encounters and moments of inspiration, fostering a sense of community and generating creative ideas. 

This, in turn, can lead to increased creativity and innovation, enhanced employee satisfaction, and increased productivity. The purpose of these areas is to avoid the formality of traditional meeting rooms and create spaces where employees can socialize and bond with one another. 

6. Integrating Open and Semi-open Spaces

For MNCs with huge office spaces, outdoor spaces like these can be a breath of fresh air for a fresh perspective. Natural light and landscape keep fatigued at bay.
Project: DP Group Headquarters / SO

Source: Archdaily
Photo credits: Soopakorn Srisakul, Ketsiree Wongwan

Employee well-being is the core concern behind most design trends right now. While companies are embracing biophilic design approaches, some businesses have been recognizing and acknowledging the need for fresh air and being in nature rather than just bringing nature into the offices. 

A wonderful measure you could take is leveraging open and semi-open spaces to become informal meeting spaces, brainstorming spaces, individual workstations, and spaces for fun games and activities to bond over after working hours. 

Being in the fresh air, having broad daylight, and being amidst trees and plants have reportedly proven to be better for mental and physical health which improves the work-efficiency, productivity, overall happiness, stress control, and a person’s mood. All this not only results in better work output, but a better work culture and thus results in employee retention. 

7. Human-centric design

Investing in ergonomic furniture will be the best investment you’ll ever make for your business and employees!

Today, more than ever before, unanimously the world agrees that human well-being is over and above other optimizations. Developing a well-being-promoting working environment may go a long way toward building a healthier, happier staff. Even if you do not have the luxury of outside space, there are other interior designing aspects that you can leverage. 

Here are some pointers to help you get there: create comfortable office furniture, make room for physical exercise, prioritize ergonomics in design, bring in natural light, implement wellness elements, including green areas, create collaborative places, and support work-life balance. 

Furthermore, supporting mental health, promoting good nutrition and hydration, and cultivating a positive organizational culture may all contribute to improved workplace well-being. Remember that your employees expect you to care about their well-being, therefore it's worthwhile to invest time and money in creating a supportive atmosphere.

8. Sustainability

Spaces flooded with daylight are sustainable for both, human well-being and bank accounts.

Project: Transurban Brisbane Office
Source: officesnapshots

As a society, we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact that we have on the environment. As a result, there has been a growing demand for more sustainable office spaces that are designed with the environment in mind. Green certifications like LEED have long been there for the sustainability check, it prioritizes building occupants' holistic well-being along with environmental consciousness.

This could be done in many ways. Using locally sourced materials, eco-friendly materials, up-cycled furniture, operating on solar energy, and reusing water. It is now simpler to identify places where changes may be made to maximize sustainability and energy efficiency thanks to developing technology such as building monitoring systems and digital twins.

You may also incorporate amenities that motivate employees to cultivate sustainable habits, such as building showers and bicycle storage to promote cycling to work, as well as supporting paper-free practices and reusable coffee cups.

9. Organic Forms

Organic forms when integrated with natural materials, landscape and human-centric seatings can 10x your interior game. And it is something that is achievable for office spaces at varying scales

Project: Indeed Office Tokyo
Source: Officesnapshots

Organic forms in the office interiors are a hot trend in 2023, and all for good reasons. These shapes are irregular, curving, and naturalistic, and are inspired by nature to create visually interesting workspaces. This trend is encouraged by the growing importance of employee comfort, health, and connection to nature in the workplace.

Reconfigurable furniture systems that generate space fluidity and natural, muted color schemes are important aspects of this trend. Curving walls and partitions, irregularly shaped furniture, and natural materials such as wood and stone are some of the ways that organic shapes can be incorporated into office design. Using organic shapes in your office interiors can work wonders with enhancing visual interest, improving creativity and innovation, promoting sustainability, and creating unique branding and image. 

10. Art and Illustrations

Large graphic signage can be playful and inspiring. You can incorporate them in staff working areas, community spaces, and office lounges.

The Art, illustrations, murals, and graphic signages in the form of brand messages and work culture connotations add a splash of color, fun, and character to rather grey and mundane, lifeless -spaces. Incorporating wall art or graphics in an office isn't just for aesthetic purposes, it also serves as a means to convey the brand message to both employees and visitors. Research has shown that art in the workplace can do more than just enhance the appearance of a space. It can also improve productivity, promote a positive company culture, and stimulate creativity.

11. Technology Integration

For businesses that are tech-savvy or heavily dependent on technology, smart office spaces such as this, are a must for you!

Source: Indesignlive

The incorporation of technology is a significant component of modern workplace design. The fast progress of technology has profoundly altered the way we work and connect with our environment, and incorporating technology into office spaces has become critical to stay current.

From combining smart gadgets and digital displays to building collaborative virtual environments, technology integration may take various shapes. Voice-activated assistants and digital thermostats, for example, can serve to create a more pleasant and efficient work environment, while digital screens can be utilized for presentations, navigation, and displaying business culture.

There are various advantages to incorporating technology into workplace design. For starters, by simplifying procedures and automating jobs, it may assist to increase production and efficiency. It may also make the workplace more interesting and dynamic, which can enhance employee morale and satisfaction.

12. Encourage movement

Interior layout and Furniture play a major role in encouraging movement. Such furniture encourages body movement throughout the day. A stagnant working position affects the mental capacity of working.

Employees who are no longer constrained to sedentary desk work for eight hours a day in today's workplace. As a result, workspaces must be built to suit various work styles and requirements. Consider developing workplaces that enhance employee well-being, such as concentration, collaboration, connection, and recharging areas. To improve attention, we recommend designating quiet areas where phones are not permitted. 

Collaboration areas equipped with smart technology such as interactive whiteboards and writing walls facilitate team engagement. Small pods and curtains can give privacy and space economy while connecting with colleagues working remotely. 

Finally, recharge rooms or places allow employees to unwind by socializing, napping, meditating, or even playing musical instruments. Employee well-being should be prioritized in the modern office, which may be accomplished through thoughtful, adaptable design.

13. Bold Colors and Patterns

If your brand identity is bold, elegant, or playful, you should consider such bold jewel tones. They’re totally in trend.

Source: Behance

Before we jump on to what new to use, let's just agree that pastels and neutral shades are never getting old. They’re elegant and everlasting. But, if you’re trying to look for something new, trendy, or even quirky, let us tell you jewel tones are hot in trend. 

When combined with the right pieces of furniture and materials, these colors can take the driving seat to create the language, image, and feel of your office space and the brand personality as well. If you’re not too sure or confident about these bold colors, you can go for patterns too! They ain’t going anywhere anytime soon. You can choose to bring in these colors and patterns in the form of wall paints, wallpapers, and upholsteries. 

14. Minimalistic Design

A clean, minimalistic approach such as this never gets old for any sort of business. It helps to work with a clear mind while also speaking tonnes about your business.

Project: Money Super Market Offices – London
Source: Officesnapshots
Photo Credits: Jefferson Smith

The minimalistic approach often employs a neutral color palette, with a focus on shades of white, beige, and grey, which helps to create a sense of calm and tranquility. In addition to neutral tones, other design elements used in minimalistic interiors include the use of natural light, simple and functional furniture, and a limited number of decorative accessories. Having that said, you can have a minimalistic approach with bold colors as well. Just be careful of the number of furniture and decor pieces you’re throwing in with it. 

Whether you go for pastels of vibrant bold jewel tones, or you go for quirky patterns with the silence of the neutrals, remember, a minimalistic approach will set your game right. It can save your bold color game go wrong. An uncluttered workspace also keeps the minds of the occupants uncluttered. 

15. Acoustic Design

If you have a huge office space with an open plan, you should consider getting acoustic panels installed. And while they may look quite the same and mundane, you sure can get creative with them. Here is a reference for you!

Source: Modular arts

With the increasing trend of open plans, flexible interiors, collaborative space, and shifting work cultures, the acoustic design of the workplace becomes an essential factor to design carefully. An inadequate acoustic design can lead to distractions, poor communication, and even health problems such as hearing loss and stress. 

There are various techniques to increase an interior space's acoustic quality. Sound-absorbing materials such as acoustic ceiling tiles, wall panels, and carpets are one common alternative. These materials aid in noise reduction by absorbing sound waves and preventing them from rebounding back into the room.

Another method is to employ sound masking techniques, which entail the addition of low-level background noise to disguise the sound of other disturbances. This strategy is widely employed in open-plan offices with high noise levels. The positioning of furniture, equipment, and other things in a room can also help with acoustic design.

Conclusion

Well, by now you’re probably thinking, “Our workplaces are designed for a long-term period, and cannot make decisions based on the yearly trends!” So let us sum it up for you and make it a little easy for you to make your decisions. These trends are mostly based on human needs. Needs that are not going away any time soon. They’re in sync with the shifts taking place in the work cultures as well. Thus, picking up design approaches from these is going to sort you out for some time to come.