7 Corporate Office Design Trends for 2023

The typical 9-5 job looks different than it did a decade ago, and it’s changed drastically over the past couple of years.

Today, the employee is priority #1 when it comes to corporate office design and renovations. How can employers encourage employee engagement and collaboration? How can corporate offices create a space for hybrid employees? Let’s find out and take a look at the 7 corporate office design trends that will dominate 2023.

1. Hybrid workplaces and collaborative design

Collaboration is nothing new, but since the pandemic, employees want their office time to be purposeful and productive. That’s where the hybrid work model comes in.

A hybrid workplace model is about blending in-office and remote work into one functional space. The traditional office layout typically doesn’t cater to employees who aren’t in the office every day, which won’t be effective in 2023.

Corporate offices need to construct collaborative spaces for employees that are in-office and remote. Amenities like Zoom booths are ideal for employees who aren’t in the office simultaneously but still want to collaborate on a project.

One area that cannot be forgotten is storage. With employees splitting their time between the office and home, they no longer leave as many items in the office at the end of the day. Employers will need to provide a storage space or lockers for employees to keep things like coats, shoes, and technology organized and safe.

Don’t forget about comfort! Integrate a few relaxing spaces in your office fit with cozy furniture and unique features that will keep your employees wanting to come into the office.

2. Increased need for privacy

Cubicles used to send employees running for the hills, but after being remote for over 2 years, employees want more privacy options in the office.

Noise is inevitable in a working environment, but it can be controlled. Individual workstations are key to noise reduction and are the future of the corporate office. By creating more space, increasing privacy, and promoting teamwork and collaboration, office furniture workstations fit seamlessly into any space.

However, privacy is not just spatial. There are also acoustic and visual elements to consider when increasing the privacy of your office space. More great ways to increase privacy in the workplace include:

• Room dividers and interior construction

• Soundproofing

• Soft furnishings like couches or upholstered seating to absorb sound

• Screen privacy protectors

• Space division panels

3. Modular construction

Modular construction is the process in which a building is constructed off-site in modules and then put together in your office space. Some of the most common types of modular construction are room dividers, prefabricated walls, and flooring.

Modular construction is a great option for offices that need more flexibility because it can grow and adjust with you. You can easily expand and reconfigure walls and dividers if one department grows to make room for more employees.

This type of agile office that can be reconfigured and rearranged at a moment's notice is essential to growing companies. You don’t always need to find a brand-new office space to accommodate more employees; oftentimes, you just need modular components.

This type of design also encourages more collaboration. A decade ago collaboration wasn’t a top priority—employees arrived at their cubicle at 9am and left at 5pm without much movement. Modular construction allows for more comfortable spaces where employees can gather together.

4. Sustainability and biophilic design

Sustainability has slowly become a priority for leaders across all industries, and for 2023, corporate office design will see more sustainable practices.

Employers have thought that an easy solution to this has been biophilic design which focuses on incorporating elements of nature into the office. And while biophilic design has been shown to drastically impact employee productivity and mental health, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your office is sustainable.

Employees expect businesses to do their part in reducing their carbon footprint and 2023 will put a greater focus on true environmental impact. Plants, green walls, and waterfalls are great ways to incorporate nature into your corporate office, but employees also want to see true sustainability practices. This could mean:

• Using vintage decor and upcycled furniture

• Integrating LED lighting

• Installing energy-efficient appliances

• Upholding paper-free policies

• Encouraging reusable products instead of single-use items

Implementing these sustainable practices into your corporate office will discourage the idea of ‘greenwashing’, which promotes a false sense of sustainability. Being truly ‘green’ and environmentally friendly isn’t just placing plants around the office, it’s a way of life.

5. Bold, bright color palettes

In 2023, we’re saying goodbye to neutrals.

Well, maybe not entirely, but offices will start displaying a brighter, bolder color palette. Using more color and relying less on neutral colors can better showcase your brand’s personality and boost brand recognition.

Feature walls of plants, textures, and statement pieces throughout the office are great ways to incorporate this design trend. Nostalgic and retro designs are also coming back in style but with more of a modern edge. Modern nostalgia in the office includes using textured fabrics like linen or bright fresh colors throughout design elements.

Incorporating your brand’s personality into the office’s design will create more energy within the office and encourage employees to spend more time in the office.

6. Amenities

Employers are turning to highly sought-after amenities to encourage employees to return to the office.

A balanced workplace should be centered around amenities that maximize wellness and encourage collaboration. To make your office more attractive to employees, consider installing any combination of the following:

• Top-of-the-line coffee machines

• Natural light

• Food and beverages free of charge

• Outdoor space

• Ergonomic chairs and customizable desks

• Multipurpose collaboration areas