Office Design Trends for 2021

The past year, particularly the last nine months, have revolutionised the world of work to such a large degree that many people have scarcely been to their usual workplace at all. But what will the office look like when we return in 2021? Here Thames Contracts, who specialise in high-quality office design in north London and Hertfordshire, assess what the most popular trends of the next 12 months are likely to be. The Rise of the Resimercial Resimercial is a phrase that has been around for a few years, but has only really taken off in the last few months. It means a mix of residential and commercial. Over the past year, most of us have got very used to working from home and the comforts it brings. For that reason, people will expect the same when they return to the office. This means a move away from assigned desks or hot-desking, to a more collaborative working environment. Some formal desks will remain, but there will be a lot more soft seating and open plans as well. People may also be given the choice of where, and how they want to work. Greater Reliance on Technology Many people hadn’t used or heard of Zoom before this year. However, it’s become an integral part of the office culture in the last nine months. For this reason, future office design will have to make allowances for the increased use of video conferencing technology. This will apply not just for the duration of the pandemic, but for the foreseeable future as well. Coronavirus Precautions We may need to have coronavirus precautions at work for some time yet. Therefore, one-way routes in and out of the office will likely still be in place for the first few months of the year, along with dividers to minimise the risk of cross-infection Thames Contracts offer acrylic desk dividers, for work environments where staff have to sit in close proximity, and bio décor partitioning, to protect all areas of the office. For more details on these, follow this link. As an alternative to desk dividers, planters and living walls can create a natural barrier between staff. They help improve the air quality too. Flexible Design Because the number of people in the office each day is likely to change, as well as the tasks they need to carry out, movable furniture will likely be a big trend in 2021. One example of this are glass partitions, that can be dismantled, moved and erected easily. This means that the same space can be used for a conference, a breakout area, or a formal interview. Glass partitions are also perfect for keeping people socially-distanced and being in line with current covid rules. In addition, they can be personalised to promote your business or brand with logos, text, and pictures. Thames Contracts are specialists in fitting many different types of glass office partitions for clients in Potters Bar, Hitchin, and other parts of Hertfordshire and north London. Sustainability is Still a Priority People are still conscious of the damage being wrought by climate change, particularly millennials and the younger generation. So as well as having living walls and plants around the office, there are other aspects to consider as well. For example, but not limited to, using recycled furniture where possible, using renewable energy, or buying FairTrade products for the office supplies. Quality Office Design in North London and Hertfordshire from Thames Contracts Thames Contracts have a long-standing reputation for high-quality office refurbishment and refits for clients in Hertfordshire and London. Your initial no-obligation consultation with us will be free. We provide you with a range of options so you can pick the one which best suits the needs of your business, and the price will be finalised at a pre-contract meeting. We use a network of tried and trusted tradespeople and have an excellent record in completing projects on time and within budget. If you would like to know more about our office design services, click on this link to fill in our online contact form or call us on 020 8368 0045.

For more information on Office Design Trends for 2021 talk to Thames Contracts Ltd