Interior design matters in the workplace: here’s why

Crafting Productive Spaces for Forward-Thinking Companies

Does interior design have a meaningful place in the workplace? Can thoughtfully designed spaces actually affect our work quality and output?

While every individual responds differently to their surroundings, one workplace truth remains constant: successful companies prioritize environments that empower their people to perform at their best.

Join us as we explore the evolving definition of "workplace" and discover how smart interior design choices can transform ordinary offices into extraordinary spaces where innovation thrives.

The Workplace Revolution Started Long Before COVID-19

The traditional concept of "workplace" was already undergoing a dramatic transformation well before the pandemic accelerated these changes. As the founders of prestigious design studio Barber and Osgerby noted in Dezeen:

"Formal work rules are dissolving, regardless of where and how we work – now frequently in hotel lobbies or cafes. As a result, the desk is no longer at the centre of our work life. It is disappearing as an archetype."

Now, in our post-pandemic landscape, workplace design has evolved in ways that were previously unimaginable. The conventional wisdom around what makes an office space effective has been completely reimagined. Anticipating this seismic shift, architecture firm Woods Bagot developed innovative workplace layouts that many offices worldwide are now adapting in various forms to meet our new reality.

Case Study: FibreGuard Fabrics at Future Space Offices

Our premium contract fabrics recently transformed the Future Space offices into environments where comfort meets functionality. The carefully selected FibreGuard textiles not only brought warmth and acoustic benefits to the space but also provided unmatched durability and stain resistance – perfect for high-traffic collaborative areas where ideas flow as freely as the coffee!

Rethinking Open-Plan Offices

Contrary to popular belief, open-plan offices may actually hinder rather than help communication. According to Harvard's eye-opening study "The Impact of the 'Open' Workspace on Human Collaboration," these layouts often achieve the opposite of their intended purpose by inadvertently reducing face-to-face interaction.

This surprising finding has contributed to the rise of text-based communication platforms like Slack and Viva Engage. Our collective shift toward digital communication was already influencing office design long before social distancing became necessary, leading to innovative approaches in configuring workspaces.

Employee Wellbeing: The Heart of Productive Office Design

In 2019, many questioned whether workplace reconfiguration was truly necessary. If traditional office layouts had functioned adequately for decades, why change?

The events of 2020 delivered a definitive answer: workplaces can't remain static in a dynamic world. What hasn't changed, however, is the fundamental connection between employee wellbeing and productivity, creativity, and cognitive performance.

While employee needs have evolved dramatically, with many now working remotely, the question remains: what happens when these remote workers return to office buildings? The design world has responded with an explosion of fresh ideas and concepts for workspaces – and we're thrilled about the possibilities this presents!

Creating Workspaces That Work for People

While professionals still seek dynamic, innovative workplaces, their expectations within traditional office environments have fundamentally changed.

The most sensible approach is to examine how individuals actually work: What environments and conditions help them achieve peak productivity?

Addressing these needs demonstrates your commitment to supporting both personal and professional growth – and that growth translates directly to your company's success and bottom line.

Our FibreGuard fabrics were meticulously engineered with your office spaces in mind. We've developed contract textiles that combine remarkable stain resistance with exceptional durability, creating solutions that perform beautifully regardless of where your workspaces are located or what form they take.

Contact us today for complete specification details and discover the FibreGuard difference for yourself!

Adaptability: The Key to Successful Office Spaces

What workplaces need now is agility in design and architecture. Remember that success looks different for every organization – we encourage you to keep your specific definition of "winning" front of mind when designing or refurbishing your office interiors.

From our perspective, truly successful office interiors promote health and acoustic comfort. Sound absorption techniques combined with innovative airflow improvements ensure both these critical elements are addressed.

Discover more about our specially engineered antimicrobial fabrics – a soft-to-the-touch range featuring a uniquely breathable and flexible moisture barrier, making them ideal for even the most demanding environments.

The Critical Importance of Office Acoustics

While people respond to design elements in various ways, poor acoustics negatively affect an overwhelming majority of office workers.

A striking 70% of office workers report dissatisfaction with sound levels in their workplace, according to research by Leesman. Among all workplace irritants, suboptimal acoustics ranks among the most significant. Here's how you can create acoustically welcoming office interiors:

1. Embrace material diversity in your office spaces. A thoughtful mix of textures and surfaces helps regulate sound levels while creating visually stimulating environments that inspire creativity and focus.
2. Soften hard surfaces that intensify acoustic issues. Hard flooring and bare walls dramatically impact interior acoustics, suggesting it might be time to move beyond minimalist office design toward spaces with strategic softness. Options range from upholstered wall panels to acoustic ceiling treatments – the key is analysing your specific space and leveraging its unique characteristics.

We're particularly proud of FibreGuard fabrics' acoustic performance. Our textiles have undergone rigorous testing and many achieve excellent sound absorption ratings – that's technical speak for "these fabrics know how to create a more peaceful, productive workspace."

This matters tremendously in open offices, where the ability to focus directly affects productivity and job satisfaction.

Smart Office Ventilation: A Non-Negotiable Priority

The World Health Organisation has emphasised that clean, fresh air must be available in all workplaces. Learn more about these developments in our article: How Office Architecture is Adapting for a Post-COVID World.

Navigating Workplace Interior Design Trends

The past few years have brought fascinating evolutions in office and workspace design. We've witnessed meeting rooms transformed, casual spaces prioritized, and a massive shift toward remote work. However, we recognize that not every trend deserves implementation.

This selectivity becomes even more crucial when considering the future of traditional office spaces. Interior design can serve as your strategic advantage in achieving your specific goals (alongside essential ventilation system improvements).

Stay focused on your organisational objectives and politely decline trends that don't align with your standards and vision.

Office Interior Design: Still the Productivity Powerhouse

Regardless of where work happens, our surroundings profoundly impact our productivity. This reality affects everyone from remote workers in cafés to team members at headquarters. Whether you're designing layouts for 200 employees or creating a personal remote workspace, keep productivity and wellbeing at the forefront of your planning. Our FibreGuard fabrics bring together unmatched stain resistance, durability, and aesthetic appeal – creating spaces where people genuinely want to work.

Let's create exceptional workspaces together!

Contact us today for reseller information or to specify our contract fabrics for your next project.