Last edited 06 Dec 2020

2019 Office Design Trends

Ambius, the world’s largest interior landscaping company, released a report in September 2018 highlighting the top trends in office design for 2019 and beyond.

The firm foresees a continued evolution in designers' understanding of workplace optimisation, with design that boosts office morale and employee well-being while facilitating a creative work environment.

A look at 2019 trends shows designers working to make the most of limited spaces and using plants and other green materials to connect the building's occupants with the natural world.

Macro trends include a movement towards experience-driven spaces. Office designers are focused on incorporating functional amenities like meditation areas and espresso bars that improve the workplace experience both for entry-level staff and C-suite executives alike.

They foresee the co-working space reimagined with features such as multi-use meeting areas, lightweight, movable furniture and lots of plants, portable green walls and other greenery to provide separation and privacy when needed. Another macro trend expected in 2019 is the emergence of plant-based, biophilic design from an experimental principal to a standard for the modern workplace. Incorporating nature-inspired textures and shapes, as well as features like living green walls, floor plants, potted trees and decorative flowers, biophilic design will move from a trendy fashion statement to a near-necessity for the office.

Among the micro trends detailed in the report, moss walls stand out as a feature to keep an eye on because they make a statement and work well in areas where lighting can be a concern. Moss walls and other green walls are expected to grow in popularity because they enhance the office's connection to nature while leaving floor space open for other features, making them highly compatible with the macro trends outlined in the report.

“As the job market grows more competitive for employers, companies are recognising the advantages creating a modern workplace environment provides in attracting and retaining talent,” said Laura Burns-Lambert, sensory designer for Ambius. “Incorporating biophilic design and prioritising a connection with nature unites many of the broader trends our team foresees in the coming years.”

The ability of plants to add beauty and aesthetic power to a business has long been recognised. Research increasingly shows that biophilic commercial spaces – those designed to connect humans with nature – also have health and wellness benefits, providing the business with advantages from improved employee health and attendance, to job satisfaction – and more.