When employees think of a typical commercial workspace, they probably picture bland colors, harsh overhead lights, and empty walls. That's not exactly an environment that inspires excitement and creativity.
As more employees return to working on-site rather than remotely, the atmosphere of their office can make or break their attitude, experience, and productivity levels. If you want employees to look forward to coming to work rather than resent leaving home, consider refreshing your space in alignment with these crowd-favorite commercial office design trends.
Incorporate Nature Elements Into the Office
Chevron Faux Wood Wall Panel in Biscotti Java
Research shows that incorporating natural elements into a commercial workplace can increase productivity and morale. To bring some benefits of the outdoors right to your employees, you can add faux wood panels, faux stone panels, and faux rock panels to one or more walls. You can also complement the wall panels with faux wood beams that draw the eye upward and make the space seem larger. To complete the look, place some greenery around the room for color and life and ensure plenty of natural light enters through the windows.
Sterile office spaces have a way of inherently reducing creativity, individualism, and overall positive energy. You certainly don’t have to completely overhaul your space to convert it into a pseudo-nature sanctuary. But by incorporating some tasteful elements of nature in your work environment, you can enable a better sense of vitality and natural harmony.
Make The Office More Like Home
Somerset Dry Stack Faux Stone Wall Panel in Boston
Many employees got used to working from home during the pandemic and have struggled to make the shift back to the office. That transition is even more difficult when office spaces have flat, blank aesthetics with no personality.
Pull some commercial office design inspiration from traditional home spaces by adding texture and interest to your office walls. For example, faux stone panels give the feel of a cozy stone cottage rather than a cold corporate environment. You can go even further by decorating walls with decorative lighting, artwork, and accessories you might expect to find in a living room rather than an office.
Create Comfortable Community Areas
Building upon the previous section, comfortable office furniture creates comfortable community areas that help employees feel more at home. When more relaxed, employees often communicate and collaborate more effectively, and think more creatively. By using soft sofas and chairs and small tables that they can arrange in the way that works best for their needs, you can create harmony between comfort and productivity. After all, the best ideas and strategies are often born on a super plush sofa.
Strike a Balance Between Open & Enclosed Offices
Private offices were the most popular commercial office layouts for decades before open floor plans came on the scene. The goal of putting employees in a single shared area was to encourage collaboration and camaraderie. However, businesses quickly discovered that it also led to distractions, frustration, and lower productivity. They became even more of a problem during COVID-19 when employees required social distancing to stay safe.
To allow for privacy and establish an office community, try to strike a balance between these two concepts. Create a shared space with desks, but also add quiet rooms for focused work. Add soothing colors and warm textures with faux wall panels to make these smaller rooms inviting and focus-centric.
Design With Modern Technology in Mind
In the past, businesses usually met with clients and customers in person, but these interactions are increasingly occurring virtually. Employees—especially those who don't have private offices—can benefit from dedicated spaces to hold these meetings.
Install faux brick panels to create a neutral backdrop for a Zoom call or Teams meeting that still has personality. Add soft lighting and integrated technology for a soothing, minimalist space that won't distract employees when they talk to clients, customers, and each other.
Elevate Your Commercial Office Space With Barron Designs
Don't let a bad office design hurt your employee satisfaction and productivity. At Barron Designs, we work closely with businesses of all kinds, as well as contractors, builders, architects, and designers, to make their vision of an engaging, welcoming workplace a reality.
Explore our diverse catalog of wall panels and beams to see how you can bring the most popular 2025 commercial office design trends into your business. While you're at it, reach out to learn more about our Trade Benefits program, which includes a professional sample kit, discount, and dedicated support team.
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