Design Archive - Page 20 of 22

Nature-inspired, tech-enabled and privacy on-demand – The future of office design

Office design providing privacy on-demand

Office design gives you the opportunity to create a productive and effective working space. From the floor up you should create a nature-inspired, tech-enabled and privacy on-demand office space.

Office design is about far more than couches in the entrance and workspace furniture. A well-designed workspace can boost employee productivity, happiness and ultimately benefit the bottom line of your organisation. So here we explore the trends of office design so that you can maximise your workforce output in comfort and style.

Nature-inspired

Humans have a fight or flight response to environments that induces stress and this develops into anxiety that can grind their efficiency to a halt. Using nature inspired materials to construct your office space can reverse this trend, however. We considered this when introducing feature walls to our product portfolio, cork durawal can bring nature into your office with a range of added benefits too. This sound and heat insulating material is completely renewable, recyclable and beneficial to your employees, providing an inspiring, natural feel to the workplace. Installing commercial flooring that has been inspired by natural habitats can also help to make the workspace far more comfortable and engaging. By using nature inspired materials in your office design you can make it more comfortable and more practical at the same time.

Tech-enabled

Office design should also be about the technological functionality that you are able to offer to your employees. Designing your new space with wireless charging capabilities, multi-functioning surfaces and creative spaces can greatly improve the productivity of staff and their ability to grow and develop your company. Remember that sticking an employee behind a desk literally restricts their creativity and design a space that allows freedom of movement and engagement with a wide range of technologies. With freedom of movement and the technology they need you will be able to watch your employees achieve far greater creativity and productivity.

Privacy on-demand

In any office space it is important to remember that privacy is also important. You must remember to create spaces where staff members can retreat to have private conversations on particular points of development. Designing these spaces into the office is far easier than adding them in later and you can create clear delineations within the space using commercial carpet tiling and agile partitions that can be used to create the required space as and when it is needed. Having these pop-up private areas allows the perfect blend between collective productivity and private detailed consideration that is simply not possible in tradition office environments.

The trend for office design is moving towards a more fluid and welcoming environment that allows employees to be more relaxed and peaceful at work. Enabling this through your office design from the floor up will helps employees to find better satisfaction and will ultimately improve the bottom line for the company because staff will be happier, will work better and will be generally more productive.

Ground up design: choosing commercial flooring for the office

Choose the right commercial flooring and floor insulation, and you’ll anchor your design with comfort while creating the optimal office environment of peace and calm.

When it comes to office design, it’s important to get the fundamentals right, which is why you need to design literally from the ground up. Choose the right commercial flooring and floor insulation, and you’ll anchor your design with comfort while creating the optimal office environment of peace and calm.

Making flooring a valuable resource

Using the right commercial flooring for the premises not only creates a smart first impression for clients but provides an aesthetically pleasing environment for employees. When you’re thinking about the type of flooring to install, ask the following questions:

• What are the needs of the office? Focus on the work environment paying particular consideration to factors like practicality, maintenance and noise.

• What look are you trying to achieve? Consult employees about how they’d like the office to look, focusing on what they like and don’t like.

• Are there any corporate considerations? Policies on sustainability or commitments to certain environmental standards, this may have an impact on the kind of flooring you choose.

The impact of noise

Constant chatter, the ringing of phones and the clatter of keyboards can all disrupt concentration and impact on productivity. Chronic noise levels can even cause raised blood pressure and severe health problems, so minimising sound in the office is a smart ‘ground up’ step towards creating a safe and healthy working environment. Using floor insulation will help to deaden sound and heat transfer between floors leading to a more comfortable and productive office.

Create with confidence: carpet tiles

If noise is a problem, then carpet tiles are the savvy choice. Offering a huge amount of flexibility, carpet tiles come in a wide range of colours and styles allowing you to create a stylish and unique floor for your office, or to differentiate between different areas with ease. Carpet tiles have the additional advantage that worn or stained tiles can be replaced individually.

Choose carpet tiles that are hard wearing and easy to clean, with good dimensional stability in order to lie flat without buckling or doming which can ruin a clean installation.

Classic and cost-effective: performance vinyl

Though performance vinyls can’t match the sound absorption qualities of carpet, they satisfy a very modern aesthetic for stripped back design. Performance vinyl combines style with versatility to create modern, hard wearing floors.

Whatever your choice, ground up design is the smart way to choose commercial office flooring that’s bold, beautiful and creates a healthy and productive office environment.

Why a modern office needs modern design

For the modern workplace, it’s not enough to just have a tech-savvy team; you need the office to match. Here are just a few reasons why a modern office needs modern design.

When it comes to the design of a modern, technology-savvy office, there are many things that need to be considered. It may seem easier to opt for the basic flooring, plain walls and simple design to save on costs, but if you’re looking to create an office that inspires productivity and a positive attitude, then a modern design is a must.

Brighten the walls

A simple and effective way to make the most of your office space is with vibrant, exciting and on-brand graphic design to adorn your walls. Not only does this appeal to visitors, it encourages productivity and business pride for your employees. Beautiful photography or imagery in frames can make all the difference to the space that your staff work in. The key is to steer away from dark woods and colours, in order to keep your general office space open and airy; and focus on matching existing branding and styles.

Think smart

For any tech-savvy office environment, smart technology is a must. From computerised air conditioning to remote control roller blinds, much of an office can be brought up to the current century with just a few change and tweaks. USB plugs, touch laptops, colour changing lighting and other tech elements and advancements can not only make your office appear more modern but also make it much more connected – both within your workplace and to the outside world.

Not only does a modern, connected office offer great advantages, it will improve the overall productivity level in the office – which will pay off in the long term. Keeping up with the latest in technology can only benefit your business in the long term.

Say it with flooring

Simply changing the colour of your commercial flooring can make any room seem more modern, and lighter colours and woods within smaller areas, in combination with glass walls and bright lights, can make even the smallest meeting rooms appear larger and more impressive.

Flooring that looks scruffy, threadbare or overused can age an office like nothing else; whereas shiny, new flooring can make an office look brand new.

Natural and Urban Inspiration

How a designer chooses the material he or she is going to work with is very much defined by the environment that they are looking to create and inspired by the world around them; both the natural and the urban, materials expert Adele Orcajada explains.

Materials have always been a great starting point when looking for inspiration at the beginning of any creative project. They have the power to connect to our emotions, conditioning the way we feel and the way we interact with our surroundings. Behind every texture, there is a story and thread that leads us back to its origin, allowing us to consciously or unconsciously engage with our heritage and community. How a designer chooses the material he or she is going to work with is very much defined by the environment that they are looking to create and inspired by the world around them; both the natural and the urban.

Biophilic design is a strong trend now, as the need to bring nature into our households and workplaces is growing stronger. An awareness of our wellbeing means we are striving to create spaces that help our bodies and minds be healthier. Earthy browns and mossy greens create a strong fresh style with layered and irregular patters that reflect nature. Fabrics like crushed velvets and worn leathers, combined with materials such as wood, cork and unglazed ceramic create a calm space to relax and reconnect to the soothing sensations of their textures.

Good examples of how nature has inspired walling, furnishing and flooring are not hard to find.

Another way to enliven your environments is by setting up a moss wall. These transmit calm, and freshness and such vibrancy and colour that you will feel you are in the middle of the countryside. Moss is a kind of lichen that is an ancestral plant form and is sustainably grown. The moss is preserved and dyed using non-toxic resins before being placed onto full panels or into intricate designs that create small accents of spongy green. Plus, as a bonus, they are great sound absorbents.

A number of ranges in the Duraflor Freedom Collection take their inspiration from the natural environment, whether it is Bark, Rainfall or Storm, each of these ranges picks up on the specific properties, feel or design textures these natural elements invoke.

But it’s not only the natural environments that inspire designers when creating a new space. More than half of the world´s population lives in cities, so it makes sense that designers and artists would find a recurrent source of inspiration in them. With the industrial revolution came the mass production of steel, cast iron, and brick; man made materials that we closely identify with the urban landscape. This trend can be seen in commercial places such as cafes, shopping malls, and restaurants as well as in residential homes. Exposed ceilings showing off copper tubes, or a weathered brick walls create an industrial vibe that is sleek and very downtown.

The last two ranges in the five ranges, which make up the new Freedom Collection are Compound and Pavement. Both blend seamlessly with the structures and design patterns found in the cityscapes that surround us.

Be it natural or urban, bringing these elements into your office space is a wonderful way to give a space a new dimension and blur the boundaries between the inside and outside world.

Guest blog by Adele Orcajada – a specialist materials consultant [email protected].

Feature image inspired by nature – from the Duraflor Freedom: Bark Range

Perfecting breakout area design

Collaboration. Engagement. Well-being. When it comes to effective break out area design, your emphasis should be on creating a space that helps your employees be creative and productive in an area that both rejuvenates and motivates. Whether you aim to create an area for relaxation or to stimulate more cooperative ways of working, good break out area design will create a space that’s perfect for ideas generation.

Focus on colour and texture

We are all uniquely sensitive to our surroundings, but there are certain colours and textures that instantly create a sense of well-being and relaxation. According to research undertaken at the University of Texas into the impact of colour in an office environment, blue improves focus on the task in hand, while yellow stimulates creativity and decision making. Green is an increasingly popular choice for break out areas as it’s rejuvenating, relaxing and peaceful. Try pairing a green-focused colour scheme with a feature wall clad in natural textures of cork bark for a scheme that minimises stress by bringing the outdoors indoors.

Focus on flooring

To create a distinct separation between the office proper and your break out area, consider a change of flooring. Easy to install performance vinyl tiles are extremely hard wearing and available in a range of authentic natural finishes that combine texture and aesthetic appeal. Keep it calming and natural or create a quirky and contemporary effect with on-trend herringbone for a hard wearing floor that helps to create the right break out ambience.

Focus on furniture

Your break out area needs to differentiate itself from the work station while still offering a space that’s practical for eating, working and holding informal meetings. That might mean you invest in cafe style tables and chairs to create a relaxed atmosphere, or install sofas to create areas that invite lounging. Seating pods are increasingly popular and can be as simple or creative as you like, resembling sheds or even cable car gondolas in the Google Zurich office. Ultimately, how you furnish your break out area should be directly responsive to the needs of your workforce.

Focus on light

The more natural light you can use to flood your office areas, the better. Proven to increase productivity and creativity, natural light in the office is hugely beneficial.But that doesn’t mean that you can’t be playful with your choice of task and mood lighting for a breakout area. Pendant and globes lights can be used to suffuse electric light to blend with natural daylight for a soft effect that doesn’t put a strain on eyesight.

Focus on functionality

Finally, a well-designed break out area needs to be functional and yet as free from distractions as possible. Keep the kitchen area separate – though think about providing a good bean to mug coffee machine for quick breaks – and keep extraneous noise to a minimum. This is an area to get away from the buzz of the office into a more reflective and rejuvenating space.

Focus on inspiration

Take your inspiration from leaders in office design like Amazon and Google. They understand how to create areas that effortlessly combine comfort and practicality with innovative design, so your employees return to their workstations feeling refreshed and energised, with a new sense of purpose.

Combining employee health with great office design

Great office design with Momenta Argento vinyl flooring

Want your office to be impressive to visitors without impacting on employee health? We have some great ideas for you. Discover how to make your office Instagram-ready in just three steps.

One of the dilemmas of the modern office space is whether to opt for ergonomic care, or a great looking office. Often, when it comes to furniture and accessories, the two don’t mix – but there are some clever, crafty ways to make your office Instagram-worthy and attractive to visitors while ensuring your employees’ health remains at the heart of your office design.

Here are just a few things you can do so you can go modern while staying health-conscious:

Invest in better furniture

Cheaper ergonomic furniture tends to value function over fashion – and there’s no problem with that, but that style of furniture isn’t the type of thing that sits well in great office design. However, that doesn’t mean you should choose attractive decor over what’s usable – or you’ll soon find office productivity levels dropping.

Instead, invest in better furniture that will not only last longer but has been carefully designed to look beautiful for years to come. Think of attractive desk chairs, ergonomic and modern standing desks and even beautiful yet comfortable meeting room furniture that’s sure to impress your visitors.

Wellbeing first

There are multiple elements in the average workplace that can be improved by putting employee wellbeing first; it’s just a case of a little creative thinking. According to this recent article by People Management, many different things can affect the workplace; from space and freedom to move, to improving quality of air by using HVAC systems and no-emission products, alongside providing that all-important natural light, are all simple yet effective methods to improve well-being in no time.

Utilising plants, windows and softer carpeted flooring are other cheap yet effective ways to improve a workplace in next to no time, and are tried and tested methods for turning a drab office into a vibrant and productive place of work.

Opt for better walls

Walls are a fantastic way to customise any office space without any impact on the health of employees. Creative offices worldwide use their walls for any number of things – from giant blackboards to huge, inspiring graphics. Customising your office walls is a quick and easy way to upgrade a dated office quickly and with little cost, as well as proving wellbeing via reduced noise pollution. The ideal office uses every bit of space for a purpose, and walls are no exception to that rule. Using light and bright colours alongside large windows allow more natural light in – a much healthier form of light for your office than artificial lighting.

Choose subtle yet suitable flooring

Heavy wear flooring doesn’t have to be unattractive – by opting for beautiful wood-effect or patterned flooring that’s designed to last, you can ensure that your flooring is up to health and safety standards for longer, and can put up with a lot of traffic and use without wear and tear. An office that looks new is an office that looks modern – and flooring that looks new for longer is ideal for any office environment where style is key.

As we referred to earlier, an active and moving office is a happy office. If your office is open-plan but needs a little more definition, consider keeping the space open with glass partition walls or screens and utilising clever floor definition to separate spaces. For true fluidity, flooring can provide markers for areas that can be sectioned off temporarily, for meetings or privacy; not to mention offering different feels and styles between spaces.

Forget boring – Think bright for your office

Is your office decor a bit on the drab side? Add some colour to your working life – it could improve your productivity and the feel of your workplace.

If your office decor involves a lot of dark shades, drab colours or dull tones, then you may be impacting on the productivity of your employees. An article by Entrepreneur recently examined how, based on studies by Texas University, the colour of an office can directly impact on how well your staff get on with work. Here are some top tips for bringing some colour to your workspace:

Add accents

To a plain office, adding accent colours can be a great way to include colour in the workplace. From desk dividers to office chairs, opting to bring in a bit of colour can make all the difference to any space, and when combined with white walls and a light floor, it can even make a room appear much airier and larger than it is.

For a cheap and simple solution, ask each employee to bring something colourful in to decorate their desk; adding that little something personal to each workstation. Not only will it make your office brighter, but it will also make your employees happier too.

Change up your flooring

A drab and past-it carpet can bring any room down, and the more worn it is, the less cared-for your office looks. Opt to update your place of work easily with carpet tiles, which can be arranged to form simple patterns and even pixel art for a creative and vibrant effect. With tiles available in every colour of the rainbow, carpet is the perfect way to make over a tired-looking room.

If a carpet isn’t suitable for your environment, then consider an attractive and robust vinyl as an alternative. Available in a myriad of colours and styles, vinyl is not only hard-wearing, but it also lasts a long time and looks fresh for years with very little care.

Look at the psychology

According to psychologists, colour can have a direct and consistent atmosphere to people. It can even affect concentration levels and mood. If you find your office is a bit on the subdued side, opt for splashing about some more yellows and greens to promote a positive and fresh mood, as well as making any space look larger and more modern. A combination of greys and whites lend itself to very modern and clean environment, while blues and purples are the colour of concentration, making it perfect for an office that struggles with productivity.

Colour can also be used to designate the role of different areas. With many offices opting for ‘relaxation’ or ‘recharging’ areas, choosing to make these rooms calm, pale colours in comparison to strong colours in passionate and productivity-heavy zones can be a great way to help employees transition between parts of their workday.

Considering adding some colour to your office? Duraflor have a number of ranges in both Carpet Tiles and Performance Vinyls that add colour to any office environment.

Resilient floor coverings gain stronger foothold

When high-performance floor covering is needed, specifiers are increasingly turning to updated versions of resilient flooring, such as vinyl.

These now represent a 10% share of the UK flooring market (according to the Flooring Sustainability Partnership). This means that resilient flooring is covering over 30 million square metres of floor every year.

What do we mean by resilient floor covering? It’s a relatively thinner component that is installed over a smooth continuous substrate. One of the most important attributes is that it is impermeable and hard-wearing.

Modern manufacturing methods

If you’re under the impression that only wood or stone based flooring can stand the test of time in high impact areas, then you need to revisit the updated and attractively priced options provided by resilient flooring. This is grouped as vinyl, linoleum, rubber or synthetic thermoplastic.

Looking at vinyl, for example, this has come a long way from its discovery in the 1930s. It has been subjected to advanced engineering, to find ways of combining polymer materials in a way that builds added strength and longevity.

Vinyl now offers other desirable characteristics for specifiers looking for a resilient floor covering. Available in either sheet or tile form, the modern version of vinyl is manufactured by heating PVC resin mixed with plasticisers and colour pigments. Other components are added to the mix to create a surface stability that can withstand heat and light.

Modern manufacturing methods are forever improving, including finding components to keep prices down. This means that vinyl as a resilient flooring is a cost-effective solution for large surface areas.

There are also more luxurious vinyl tiles emerging, that add additional warmth and style to commercial floors that require tangible quality and class.

Creative solutions from resilient flooring

Another driving force in the increasing use of resilient flooring in workspaces is its capacity to match any type of space and interior design.

Again, using vinyl as an example, this highly versatile choice is comfortable underfoot, and water and stain resistant. The designs and colour combinations available in vinyl flooring are substantial, offering a wealth of potential to match flooring to brand identity.

Cost effective resilient floors

As mentioned, resilient flooring like vinyl is a highly cost-effective solution for commercial floors. But vinyl is also quick to install, reducing disruption to offices, public buildings, hospitals and other workplaces.

Modern manufacturing methods mean vinyl, in particular, has a more advanced finish, boosting its benefits as a low maintenance commercial flooring option.

Improved Green credentials for resilient flooring

Modern methods of producing resilient flooring have also put the spotlight on the life cycle of the materials used.

Resilient flooring categories – including vinyl – now offer an option for recycling at a later date.

Are you interested in seeing for yourself how beautiful vinyl is as a resilient floor covering? Then browse the range of Duraflor’s high performance vinyls.

Office design trends for 2018 focus on the natural and well being

2018 will focus on workspaces that integrate comfort and technology. Modern office designs play with form and function, providing a homely, sustainable atmosphere and incorporating smart technology to stimulate productivity.

Workplace and office designers are looking at the future of work spaces in a whole new way. 2018 designs encourage creativity and productivity in a space that inspires and the work place is now designed in harmony with the people who work there. Construction trends take in not only the long term sustainability of the office setup, but ways to stay green with advances in energy efficiency, as well as ways to create an atmosphere where workers feel happy and are healthier.

Dynamic designs

The inclination now is to make the work space feel more adaptable, with areas that can quickly be transformed for different uses. This dynamic trend acknowledges not only the human desire for change, but also the way modern companies need to be more flexible themselves, in their approach to work and clients.

Easy to move furniture that is lightweight or wheeled, large interior doors that can be opened or closed to change the size and shape of the office space, and wall dividers and movable plants, are all ways that the office can shift easily to accommodate the workplace’s needs. Commercial carpets and carpet tiling can be especially useful for flooring flexibility, while still providing a homely aesthetic.

The comfort of the home

On trend offices provide a space for workers and colleagues that reflects a new desire for companies to cater to and keep their staff happy. Casual, warm areas where workers can unwind with a cup of coffee or tea on a comfy couch offer a much needed relaxation spaces.

With millennial design trends, these spaces often take on a creative, fun look, clearly demarcating a space for staff to relax. Offices often even supply fresh fruit and quality drinks, such as blended coffees and herbal teas, in a bid to provide homely comforts.

Smart tech meets the outdoors

Today’s offices run on smart technology and innovations, such as wireless charging ports and embedded screens. Smart boards have long since replaced the old white board, and these days it’s easier than ever to create a flexible work space that encourages project communication and delivery, as well as catering for the upswing in freelance staff and those who work flexitime.

But smart tech can be softened with greenery. A big trend is the introduction of terrariums into work spaces, as well as movable ‘green’ walls, planted up with oxygen-improving plant life. The natural look can also be achieved with commercial flooring, which is easy to clean and cost-effective.

Healthy work spaces

While the ubiquitous office plant is not a new concept, biophilic design encourages the human tendency to seek out green and natural spaces by adding more plant life to the office. Glass block flooring brings light and energy to an office or commercial space.

With the emphasis on flexibility and dynamic design, this often means that plants are put in easy to move containers or are planted on screens that can be used to open up or subdivide the work space. It’s been shown that biophilic design improves the well being and health of an office environment, which in turn also reduces stress, and can improve staff creativity and enhance production.

With a focus on natural textures, dynamic space, greenery and a homelike atmosphere, 2018’s design trends look at a work space that works for the people, making sure that everyone gives and gets their best.

For more details on the Featured Image see our Momenta Case Study.

Think long term for your new office upgrade

Office in need of an upgrade? Don’t think cheap as chips – think long-lasting and stylish to impress your clients, improve staff well-being and save money in the long run.

If you’re looking to upgrade your commercial space to one that’s more long-lasting and continues to look professional for years to come, it’s worth thinking about the message you want to convey to staff and clients. If you’re looking to upgrade your office to something a bit more modern, here are some tips and tricks to help your new design last that bit longer, and look much more impressive.

Ergonomic and attractive furniture

Consideration for employees should be a key factor in your choice of furniture, the benefits of this go beyond making staff feel comfortable in their environment:

“Ergonomically excellent products are likely to improve efficiency and productivity by helping to eliminate or minimise the ill effects of twenty first century offices and work practices. They can also reduce the incidence of musculo-skeletal disorders (MSD’s) and the resultant work absences.”

Once the basic considerations of comfort, safety and efficiency have been included as part of your furniture choice criteria, consider if the furniture portrays the company in the best light. Get rid of the cheap blue desk chairs, dull MDF desks and generic furniture that could be found in any office anywhere and opt for attractive furniture styles that reflect the personality of your business. For a modern agency, beautiful desks and work areas can be a source of inspiration, and for more high-end industries deeper woods and heavier furniture can give an air of professionalism and will last for much, much longer.

Flooring to last

Unlike businesses that opt for more appropriate types of floor, many offices soon find themselves with worn-down commercial flooring that’s a pain to replace, and even more difficult to match. With so much foot traffic and movement in the average busy office, you’ll want something that’s not only stylish but hard-wearing too. Faded flooring is never a good look, but fresh and perfect flooring is seriously impressive – especially in an open-plan environment.

Carpet tiles can lend a warmer effect without the difficulty of using whole rolls of carpet, or for a truly modern and minimalist look, you can opt for vinyl flooring that comes in thousands of designs to match any and all requirements. From light faux wood to dark marbles, vinyl has a style to match your needs without exorbitant costs, that’s as hard-wearing as it is aesthetically pleasing. For more details read our blog on flooring for a modern office.

Space and light

Nothing makes an office feel more worn-out than a dark, crowded atmosphere. Airy, open office plans are not only visually appealing, they’re timeless and far easier to upgrade and customise than less flexible forms of decoration. Large windows that let in a lot of light are far superior to overhead lighting and can serve to raise your employees’ spirits too. There has been a lot of studies into the benefits of natural light in the office. Optimising furniture layouts, architectural light shelves and the careful positioning of shared breakout spaces, are among the wide range of opportunities for increasing daylight amenity to the most frequently occupied work areas. It is worth noting day light has been found to be the number one wanted natural feature in the workplace.

Furniture and flooring play a large part in making an office look spacious – by choosing lighter and brighter tones, even a small room can feel spacious when carefully designed. An easy and breezy style can last the lifetime of any office – genuinely thinking long term when it comes to impressing clients and exciting staff on a daily basis.

If your business is due a decor upgrade, don’t let your first thought be the cheapest option. There are countless benefits to thinking long-term when it comes to the design of your office, so when it comes to taking the leap, ensure that you choose materials that will keep on lasting, and keep on impressing your staff and visitors every time. Create an office space to be proud of.

Feature Image shows our Aspect carpet tiles used in a recent project.

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