The Top Office Design Trends for Startups in 2018

If you’re building a startup, the last thing you probably want to think about is office design trends.

The design of your office should be close to the top of your list of things to consider.

It’s the root of your office culture, reflects your brand, makes your employees more productive.

Your office can even begin to create a collaborative environment. It can have such a huge impact on your business and your team, it can’t be ignored.

Would you like to know how to create an inspiring and productive office design for your startup?

Here are the top office design trends to pay attention to so you can build a dynamic work environment.

Flexibility

As a startup, your business needs to be agile. You’re going to need to respond to different challenges and your office will too.

Your office design needs to be easy to adapt to any situation, whether it’s an open concept for a big project or if you need to add new employees.

You could find yourself rearranging a space to create a war room where strategic decisions are made for a product launch.

If you clutter your space with too much furniture, then you’re stuck with that design. Your best bet is to think through potential scenarios like upcoming hires and projects.

Then you can consider those factors as you’re designing the office.

Common Space

The office design trends that you see today are geared towards creating a productive and happy environment for employees.

Startups are well-known for perks like having a beer cooler in the kitchen, or a foosball table in a common area.

The current trend is geared towards creating a space that in turn creates happier employees.

Happier employees are more social and more productive.

With regard to the common space, you need to decide what’s important to your company’s culture and employees.

If you want happy employees, create a common space geared towards socializing, especially between different departments.

Reception Area That Makes an Impression

If you want to make a great first impression, start with the reception area. Since the current trend is to create an open space throughout the office, you can do the same with the waiting area.

You also want it to be comfortable and stylish.

Start with having a couple of plush chairs and a sofa that’s comfortable to sit on. It should be comfortable for reading or having a small meeting between team members.

The reception desk doesn’t have to be big, but sustainable materials like bamboo are the current trend.

Texture, Minimalist or Both?

Over the past few years, startups have been converting old buildings and keeping the minimalist, industrial look.

This layout makes it easy to create an open concept space, but too much open space can make these old building seem cavernous.

To combat that lost feeling, textures have been introduced to give spaces a more playful, less industrious feel.

The great thing about textures is that it’s an affordable way to add accents to the space. Colorful accent pillows, handmade rugs, wall panels, and chair throws all add a little bit of texture to the space.

They do create a home-like space that’s more comfortable and enjoyable.

Meeting Rooms

It seems that at many startups, transparency is the trend. People are no longer hidden behind closed doors, and that includes the meeting space, too.

The current office design trends dictate that the meeting room is either enclosed by glass or a completely open table at the center of an open-concept office.

This is to keep the environment open and transparent.

Color Trends

Pantone usually sets the color trends based on what consumers are starting to buy now. The color palette for 2019 will build on Ultraviolet, the Color of the Year.

In 2019, look for more reds, orange and purple accents combined with rich dark colors like chocolate.

Your office design should start with neutral or dark colors with the bright bold colors as accents.

Green is the New Black

The average American spends 93% of their time indoors. Between being at home, at work, and in the car, that adds up to very little time spent outside.

It’s been proven that being outdoors can reduce stress, improve memory, and make people happier.

Office designers have noticed and in response to that, they’re bringing nature indoors.

Indoor and rooftop gardens, water features, and sustainable materials have become commonplace in offices.

If your office has outdoor space, create a walking path for employees. That will encourage them to get outside, get a breath of fresh air and

Stylish and Functional Furniture

You want to be sure that the desks and chairs are stylish, but not at the expense of your employee’s wellbeing.

Ergonomic furniture like office chairs can be used to ensure that they’re fitted to the employees.

That can help them prevent overuse injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

One common issue for office workers is the distraction of office chairs rolling around, especially in open spaces. They can damage the flooring, too.

One way around that is to use specially designed wheels that are quiet and are a natural fit for modern furniture brands. Check it out!

Natural Light and Air Circulation

Since office workers spend so much time indoors, offices are moving away from old, tired fluorescent lighting.

Instead, they’re moving towards more windows to let in as much natural light and fresh air as possible.

That further creates a natural environment where people can connect with nature at the office.

Follow These Office Design Trends to Make a Great Impression

Startup businesses depend a lot on making the right impression to attract investors, employees, and clients.

You can create a great first impression by incorporating office design trends that reflects your company’s values and culture.

Your office design can also drive your employees to be more productive and collaborate more on projects.

The great thing about office design is that you can be stylish and not have to break the bank to do it.

For more great workplace tips, check out our blog today.