Last year's most significant trend that changed the way we work was undoubtedly home offices. As the pandemic gets under control to a certain extent and plans to return to the office begin to be implemented, the hybrid working model is now the hot topic. Companies of all sizes are making significant infrastructure changes to adapt to this new model.
In this restructuring period, offices are also being reshaped as the pandemic has changed employees' expectations. Companies face the necessity of creating a new working environment that will keep their employees happy, productive, healthy, and safe.
Flexibility will be foreground
Before the pandemic, office design trends were primarily based on style, comfort, and functionality. However, these days, as companies adopting the hybrid work model change their ways and layouts of working, they are expected to offer similar flexibility in offices as well, as employees are accustomed to the comfort and flexibility of mobility. The office design trends for 2022 emphasize comfort and functionality, leaning towards creating an environment that evokes a sense of home
Social distancing will be considered
The pandemic led to the end of open-plan work areas, and partitions between desks for maintaining social distance are making a comeback. However, unlike the past, these partitioned work desks are turning into spaced workstations because employees now prefer to work together but more isolated than before.
In addition to desk arrangements, small working spaces scattered in different parts of the city, closer to employees' homes, are also becoming popular. This approach will enable employees to spend less time in traffic and minimize the risk of Covid-19 exposure.
So, what will offices look like?
It's well known that plenty of air and light, naturalness, and tranquility are almost essential conditions for productive and successful work. The pandemic has made it a necessity to ventilate the work environment continuously.
In offices and office furniture, natural tones and maximum use of natural materials will meet expectations such as comfort, freshness, and inner peace. Natural wood furniture, glass, and metal will create an environment that is easy to breathe in and enjoyable to work in. Natural lighting is also among the essentials.
Health and safety will always be the top priority
Over a year ago, our idea of staying safe was limited to wearing masks, avoiding physical contact, and thorough cleaning and disinfection. But today, we have advanced to creating a touchless environment by installing fixtures like door sensors, automatic soap dispensers, and etc. This increases the need for more durable materials in offices that can withstand frequent and thorough cleaning. This, in turn, leads to a shift towards natural materials in office furniture.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that nothing will be the same in post-pandemic offices. This transformation process, which requires significant changes in offices, also brings creative thinking. Companies would benefit from closely following new trends to meet the needs imposed by the conditions of the day and ensure that employees can work without losing their productivity!
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