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Hybrid Workspaces – Designing for Flexibility and Function

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The rise of hybrid working has reshaped the way businesses think about office design. With employees splitting their time between home and the workplace, the modern office must now support a blend of collaboration, focused work, and remote communication.

Designing a hybrid workspace isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about creating an environment that’s agile, adaptable, and future-proof. From flexible furniture and integrated technology to purposeful zoning and efficient storage, every element of a hybrid office plays a role in supporting productivity and wellbeing.

 

  1. Adaptable Furniture: Supporting Changing Needs

In hybrid environments, no two days look the same. One day the office may be buzzing with meetings, and the next it may serve as a quiet hub for focused individual work. To accommodate this flexibility, it’s essential to invest in furniture that can be easily reconfigured.

Foldable Conference and Meeting Tables

Foldable tables on castor wheels are ideal for dynamic workspaces. These versatile solutions:

  • Fold flat for compact storage when not in use
  • Include lockable wheels for easy transportation between rooms
  • Enable rapid setup for meetings, training sessions, or collaborative workshops
  • Support multifunctional spaces where room layouts need to change frequently

This type of furniture ensures that meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan zones can adapt to various uses throughout the day.

 

Modular Seating and Mobile Workstations

Modular seating systems and hot-desking setups provide a flexible alternative to traditional fixed desks. Mobile workstations with integrated power and storage can be positioned wherever they’re needed, supporting both solo work and team collaboration.

Ergonomic, adaptable furniture helps ensure comfort and inclusivity – especially important when accommodating a rotating mix of employees.

 

  1. Integrated Technology for Hybrid Collaboration

Hybrid work relies heavily on connectivity. An effective workspace must support seamless interaction between in-office and remote colleagues.

Key technology integrations include:

  • Video conferencing tools in meeting rooms, with high-quality cameras, microphones, and speakers
  • Interactive screens and digital whiteboards for real-time collaboration
  • Built-in power and charging points at desks and communal tables
  • Desk and room booking systems to manage occupancy and resources efficiently

Integrating this technology into the physical design of the workspace improves accessibility and ensures that digital collaboration is smooth and reliable.

  1. Zoning: Designing for Purpose and Focus

Hybrid offices work best when they are divided into purposeful zones that reflect different types of work activity. Zoning helps employees navigate the space based on their needs – whether it’s quiet focus, group collaboration, or informal meetings.

Common workspace zones include:

  • Quiet focus areas: For deep concentration or solo tasks
  • Private booths and acoustic pods: For video calls and virtual meetings
  • Collaboration zones: Open spaces with movable tables and soft seating for team-based work
  • Multi-use spaces: Rooms that can quickly convert from a meeting area to a training room using foldable tables and stackable chairs

The Role of Quiet Spaces to Support Neurodiverse Needs

Quiet zones are particularly important in hybrid offices – not just for general productivity, but also for creating an inclusive working environment. These spaces offer employees the opportunity to concentrate on detailed work or project-based tasks without distraction.

They are also essential for supporting neurodiverse team members, who may find open-plan environments overstimulating. By offering areas with reduced noise, low foot traffic, and minimal visual clutter, businesses can ensure that their workspace design caters to a wider range of working styles and cognitive needs.

Well-designed quiet areas help everyone work more effectively – especially in environments where the number of people and activities fluctuates throughout the week.

 

  1. Smart Storage and Space Management

With employees rotating in and out of the office, storage solutions must be flexible and efficient. Hybrid workplaces benefit from:

  • Personal lockers or cubbies for storing equipment and belongings
  • Mobile storage units that can be moved or reconfigured easily
  • Cable management systems to keep shared desks tidy and functional
  • Dedicated storage zones for foldable tables and modular furniture when not in use

Keeping the office organised and clutter-free is essential in maintaining a professional, agile space.

 

  1. Comfort, Sustainability, and Wellbeing

A well-designed hybrid workspace isn’t just about functionality – it should also support employee comfort, wellbeing, and sustainability goals.

Design considerations include:

  • Ergonomic seating and adjustable desks to accommodate different body types and preferences
  • Natural lighting, plants, and biophilic design to boost mood and reduce stress
  • Acoustic panels and soft furnishings to manage noise in shared spaces
  • Sustainable materials and recyclable furniture to reduce environmental impact

Creating a workspace that feels safe, inspiring, and supportive encourages employees to make the most of their time in the office.

 

Designing for the Future of Work

Hybrid working is here to stay. Designing interiors that support both flexibility and function helps businesses remain agile and competitive, while providing employees with the tools and spaces they need to thrive.

From foldable meeting tables and modular furniture to integrated tech and well-zoned layouts, the right design choices can transform an office into a vibrant, multi-purpose environment ready to meet the demands of a changing workforce. To learn more click here .

 

What colours increase employee productivity

What colours increase employee productivity, well-being and satisfaction

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Different colours affect employees in different ways, learn how interior design can impact office behaviour

The psychology of colour is relevant in all areas of interior design, however, it becomes especially relevant when looking to increase employee productivity, well-being, and satisfaction in an office. Every colour evokes a different reaction or emotion in a person, learning which reaction or emotion comes along with each colour can ultimately create a better work environment. Here is a list of colours that will benefit your office overall:

Blue

Blue, especially light blue, is often associated with feelings of calmness and ease. Painting an office blue, and using blue decorations or floor coverings, will allow the employees to feel relaxed and less anxious about their daily tasks. Similarly, blue is associated with productivity because it is known to stimulate the mind.

Different shades of blue around an office have been proven to induce creativity; this is especially true in conference rooms where creative ideas are being talked about and passed around with other employees.

Red

Red is proven to increase energy in a room. Though not recommended to paint an entire office red, because the use of too much red creates feelings of anxiety, the use of red accent walls or red decorations can wake the mind up. Red also motivates people which will increase not only productivity levels but also wellbeing. According to an expert at Goldleaf Designs, custom home builders, simply by painting an office can change the entire overall mood of a workspace.

The combination of light blue and red around an office can also provide a creativity boost for employees. Combining a classic warm colour with a classic blue colour creates a visually pleasing balance for employees, making them more productive.

A popular trend in office interior design has been the use of red seating and wall hangings surrounded by an otherwise white or neutral background. This trend diverts attention to different areas of a workspace which will constantly stimulate the brain, creating new and productive ideas.

Yellow

Associated with the sun, yellow creates feelings of optimism and happiness in a work environment; thus, employee well-being and satisfaction. Yellow can also create creativity in the work environment because it stimulates the mind and creates feelings of self-assurance.

However, be careful of too much yellow. Yellow, like red and orange, is a warm colour and too much of it can create feelings of anxiety and even anger. If you are using yellow as a paint colour, make sure it is a pale yellow. Neutral walls with yellow accent decorations and accent wall may be a good choice to prevent the risk of overstimulation.

Green

Green, similar to the feelings associated with light blue, is associated with tranquillity and calmness. Different shades of green around the office can even create feelings or thoughts of nature which in turn, creates emotions of ease and satisfaction. Green also adds a sense of balance in a room which will help the well-being of employees.

Adding plants is an easy way to add green to an office space in addition to decorations and paint.

Green is often used in workspaces that work with money and finances a great deal because it constantly evokes the memory and thought of money to the employees as they work.

White

White is great for offices because it makes space feel bigger, cleaner, and even happier. White is practically a good choice for smaller offices because it will maximize the space. White also coordinates well with almost all other colours so it can be used as an accent wall in a room, a base, or on all walls. With the various ways in which white can be used in an office, it always adds to employee well-being by increasing overall happiness.

If white is used on all walls, it’s recommended that the walls have a fair amount of wall hangings and decorations in order to keep employees visually stimulated. Too much white can give off a “doctor’s office feel.”

A common colour theme in offices is the use of white and blue. The combination of white and blue, emulating a blue sky with clouds, makes employees optimistic and productive in addition to keeping the space lively. White walls accompanied by blue furniture is a popular way to create this colour theme.

 

Experimenting with colour and different colour combinations will affect employee productivity in a positive way while keeping employees happy and motivated to keep working. With proper research and planning, getting the right colour scheme for your office will be easy and beneficial. The possibilities are endless when redesigning your office space. For inspiration or to start discussing your design projects, get in touch with one of our interior experts today.

How to make meetings more productive

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Out-of-the-box thinking doesn’t happen in a box…right? In this article, we consider some different ways to help reignite the motivation for attending those weekly or monthly meetings.

Some people might say that most meetings in the workplace are often pointless and attendees feel anxious as there are always deadlines to meet and work that needs to be done. But what if the problem isn’t the actual meeting itself but more the environment and layout that it’s being held in which can sometimes be formal and uninviting…

Take a look at our tips for making meetings more inviting…

1. Only hold meetings if they’re essential

Save meetings for projects that are a necessity and for when all the team can get involved. If it can be replaced by a telephone call or an email, don’t hold it. If the meeting does need to be held, be conscious of time and try to keep it short – schedule no longer than 45 minutes per meeting so that employees recognise that you value their time and have an agenda.

2. Don’t get into a routine

If you schedule meetings for the same time every week, in the same location; eventually employee motivation and interest is going to plummet. If you want your team to find a solution to a task or you’re working on a long project, then you need to mix it up a little, try mornings and afternoons and see which time provides the best engagement and ideas. Consider carrying out some meetings outside of the office, perhaps in a coffee shop or over some lunch.

3. Is your meeting space inviting and inspiring for ideas?

If not, it might be worth considering re-decorating your meeting room and introducing some artwork to make it a more welcoming space for being creative. According to Forbes, 78% of respondents in a survey of over 800 employees working for 32 U.S companies claimed that art in the workplace helped reduce their stress.

4. Consider standing desks

Employees spend most of their working day sitting at a desk so it’s not particularly motivating to move from one rolling chair to another. It’s been mentioned time and again that sitting does you no good… yet the same is true about standing all day! What you really want to do is alternate between the two with the help of a sit-stand desk. This will ultimately help you reduce the health risks posed by both. Consider ditching the standard table and chair set up and opt for this healthier way of working. Meetings may then seem like a refreshing change of scenery.

5. Informal workspace meetings

Sometimes a formal meeting isn’t required, have you thought about introducing informal employee workspaces where ideas can be brought to life away from your desk without the need to be in a meeting room? Curious? Take a look at some ideas here or check out this brochure for inspiration.

6. Offer incentives and rewards


Competitions and mini-games can be a great way to encourage enthusiasm and attendance for meetings. After all, everyone loves a freebie. Giving away snacks and refreshments during the meeting will generate interest and depending on your budget, consider rewards for the best ideas that are brought to the table.