Since the pandemic, the subsequent Great Resignation, and recent waves of layoffs, employers have been challenged to create attractive workplaces that promote productivity and inspire team members. The result? An explosion of hybrid work arrangements. As of 2023, Gallup estimates that eight in 10 officeshave adopted hybrid or remote infrastructure indefinitely, and it’s time for office designs to catch up with the times.
Hybrid office designs have to do it all—encourage productive conversations and comingling, offer enough quiet space for deep work, and accommodate a constantly rotating cast of employees. Hybrid work turns traditional office environments upside down, so it’s imperative that office managers and business owners explore new hybrid office designs that can adapt to workers' ever-changing needs.
Here are our best tips on what to consider.
Hybrid work allows for more creative license, and your office space should reflect that. Here are the tried-and-true steps to designing a hybrid office your employees will want to visit.
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Designing the Perfect Hybrid Office Space |
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What It Entails |
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Ask various departments about their biggest priorities, how they prefer to work together, and any major concerns they have with your current set-up. |
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Adopt AI and other workplace optimization tools to get a better idea of how employees currently use the space. |
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Take your learnings and find a more fitting office space, or set a plan to refresh your current one. |
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If a major overhaul is needed, appoint a qualified architect or interior designer to execute improvements. |
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Measure your space and consider how your employees typically interact to create an office layout that improves functionality and comfort. |
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Save time and ensure you get the best furniture by hiring a design resource group that will curate, procure, and assemble high-quality products that match your budget and style. |
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Frequently check in with employees to note potential improvements to the space. |
The best hybrid office designs are flexible and inviting. They need to provide space for both collaboration and quiet, togetherness and privacy. We’ve broken down the key components of a successful hybrid office, so you can keep them in mind during your design process.
Think about parts of the office that can serve a dual purpose. Can you create a comfortable huddle of adjustable desks that allow employees to change their positions throughout the day? Can you add casters so furniture is easy to move for quick collaboration sessions? Can your reception area double as a morning huddle location?
Hybrid offices often have smaller footprints than fully in-person workplaces, so your employees may have to pick a new desk whenever they come to the office. Consider the elements you can add to each desk, meeting pod, or conference area that make them adaptable to various needs.
Hybrid workers have been spoiled by the creature comforts of their own homes – make sure your office chairs can rival even the comfiest of couches. We suggest the beloved Knoll Generation, a classic, ergonomic office chair, to help your workers maintain comfort and deep focus throughout their day.
You’ll also want plenty of flexible storage, like Herman Miller’s Canvas Storage line. This line easily adapts open-floor-plan offices into comfortable workspaces for office essentials like extra paper, pens, and computer accessories, so your employees don’t have to worry about forgetting items at home or hauling them back and forth.
Many remote workers have gotten used to the idea of privacy and solitude during their workday, so working in a crowded office can sometimes feel overwhelming. Consider bringing in meeting pods to build independent spaces for quiet focus time during busy days.
Having an open office design doesn’t have to mean everyone hears everything. Architectural walls, like PurOptima’s movable glass partitions, can create private meeting areas and other dedicated collaboration spaces that allow different teams to function simultaneously without distracting each other. You can also add acoustical elements, like panels or ceiling suspensions, to further mask sound.
Office lobbies and break rooms are often where the magic takes place. It’s where the first impressions are made, final deal handshakes happen, and office connections are forged. We recommend bringing in dynamic seating options to add visual interest and create a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere for employees and visitors.
Furnish these spaces with our tried-and-true favorites. The Herman Miller Tuxedo Sofa is a dynamic three-seater couch with clean lines that pairs well with any modern office. Looking for an updated classic? Knoll’s KN04 lounge chair is functional and stylish, making it ideal for common areas of all functions. Your office's gathering spaces are the places to have fun with furnishings and where your design choices can really shine.
After you’ve nailed down your office design and furniture elements, pick paint colors, art, textiles, carpeting, and other finishing touches that exemplify your brand’s voice. While these items may be an extra cost, adding them can create a more finished and professional office space that really wows your customers and employees.
At Benhar Office Interiors, we offer white-glove furniture procurement and assembly services that bring your office vision to life. We are Platinum-Certified MillerKnoll dealers and work closely with their entire product family. We’ve been deeply entrenched in dozens of office redesign projects, so we intimately understand the challenges and dueling priorities of hybrid office designs. And, our sister company, Distinctive Office Interiors, provides best-in-class carpeting and painting services to revamp your office space.
Contact our team today to learn more about how our services can facilitate your hybrid office designs.