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Since the rise of office work, the workplace has continued to evolve and transform to meet the needs of an increasingly dynamic, unpredictable, and technologically-advanced business world. The most successful workplace designs look to the past for lessons in both what works and what doesn’t, and we can build on this experience to improve our enjoyment, productivity, and efficiency. Just take a look at the differences between original office cubicles and modern office cubicles ! Here are some great examples of what we’ve learned from office design trends of the past. 1. How to Bring People Together to Maximize Efficiency The pre-1945 generation pioneered the idea of a mass office space, bringing hundreds of workers together to work in their individual roles towards common organizational goals. An American engineer, Fredrik Taylor, has been credited with starting this trend that became the foundation of the traditional office space as we know it today. He designed ordered, effic...

Feeling too hot or too cold in the workplace is a very common experience for employees, in fact, a study by the UC Center for the Built Environment showed that just 11% of surveyed buildings showed 80% or more occupants felt comfortable with the set temperature. This issue of discomfort has a far-reaching impact on productivity and performance, with employees feeling tired, distracted as well as unable to focus due to the cold or heat. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make your workplace more comfortable. What Is the Ideal Office Temperature? As leading suppliers of sit-stand desks, adjustable height desks , and ergonomic desks, our team has been in offices that cover the entire temperature spectrum, from hot and stuffy spaces to bitterly cold ones. With office environments largely controlled by HVAC systems and comfort levels differing between individuals, it’s always going to be a struggle to please everyone. So, what are the best guidelines to follow...

Before you can even think about investing in cubicle desk systems, modern office chairs or ergonomic desks, you will need to find the right office design and fit-out partner. This partner will be equipped to advise you in terms of what kind of office set-up will be best for your business and your company culture, from modern office cubicles, stunning conference and collaborative areas, to open-plan workplaces. Here are our top tips for choosing the right office design company to assist you in this all-important journey: Vision and Cultural Integration Anybody can pick out ten cubicles for ten people and put them in a layout. But a serious office design partner won’t even start talking about furniture until they know the soul of your company, and what kind of culture you are trying to achieve. The discussion of company culture and values is the soul of good office design. Experience Most companies have good experience but what kind of experience is a better quest...

Did you know that 31 percent of all occupational health injuries are linked to lower back pain and upper extremity muscular-skeletal disorders, according to OSHA? Companies who have ergonomic plans in place have not only been able to dramatically reduce the number of lost workdays among their workforce, but they are also able to lower employee turnover. The good news is that helping employees to avoid injuries and retaining your staff are not as costly as you might necessarily assume. Here are office ergonomic design flaws that you can easily change to improve the way your staff works: Poor Lighting Needless to say, your employees need adequate lighting to perform their tasks. Make sure that office areas are equipped with high-quality lighting so that nobody has to squint to read the words on their screens. Lack of Adjustable Seats People are unique, and the way they adjust their seats will vary from person to person. Adjustable seats can ensure that everyone ...

Remember when you were younger and your parents or teachers would reprimand you for slouching? While many of us would want great posture, we are a nation of slouchers. Slouching isn’t just an aesthetic problem it can also lead to back problems – something that costs American companies over $100 billion each year. It may seem like slouching isn’t something that can be fixed, with most office workers spending an average of  38 minutes  out of every hour in bad posture. There are, however, a few essential ergonomic wellness tips that every office should implement to combat bad posture. Below we mention a few: Be Comfortable If you are  sitting at your desk  in front of your computer and something feels off, it’s time to move. Re-adjust yourself so that you are always working in a comfortable position. Sit Properly in Your Office Chair The right position is to ‘sit on your butt bones’. Move your bottom to the  back of your office chair ...

Often, office design focuses on the generation entering the workforce, how they’re changing things and what needs to change to accommodate them. But the reality is that people are working from an earlier age to a later age, making it essential that the office of the future can accommodate five generations together. Here’s some insight into this 5G workplace and what it means, from the commercial office furniture specialists. Retirement is a Thing of the Past For most people, retirement is a luxury and not an expectation, so they’re going to keep active in the workforce well after the traditional retirement age of 65. There are many reasons for this, including our longer and more healthy life expectancy and a lack of savings culture. This generation has considerable value to the workforce, with unmatched experience and hands-on knowledge. In terms of office design, this means not simply catering to the incoming generations. Office social spaces can’t be age specific and have ...

We started with offices designed for purely for function, then we invited it into our houses with the creation of home offices. As Millennials entered the workspace this changed into the coffee shop culture office where work is mobile, engaged and comfortable. Now we’re seeing the final combination of the three – a resimercial office design that brings together the best of all these worlds. What is Resimercial Office Design? Essentially, it’s about marrying the comforts and wellbeing of home into the functionality of a state-of-the-art office space in order to gain the benefits of both. When it’s properly executed, this exciting design concept has a positive impact on collaboration, ideation, wellbeing and productivity. It creates a space that is more lighthearted and welcoming – designed to literally make employees feel right at home. Elements of Resimercial Office Design Successfully bringing together the elements of home and work takes an expertly considered touch – y...

April 22 nd  is Earth Day, and businesses all around the world are joining in the fight to celebrate the earth and protect its resources. This year’s theme is “Protect Our Species”, focused on preventing the extinction of animals, plants and insects due to human activity. Here are some ideas for companies of every size who want to show that they care, from our specialists in modern office cubicles. Plant a tree:  As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree is yesterday, the second-best time to do it is now! Get permission well in advance to plant a tree (or several) either in your office grounds or a local park. Choose trees that are indigenous to your area and are rare or under threat of extinction, so that they boost the local eco system. Have an hour or so set aside to pant the tree together and have a picnic! Get competitive:   A company-wide competition is a great way to get everyone actively involved in this great cause! You can split people into ...

Buying new desks for the office isn’t as simple as it sounds! There are so many great options out there, from sit stand desks and  adjustable height desks  to desks in every modern and classic style you can imagine. Currently, one of the most popular desk options is a standing desk. Here are some of the benefits of this style of desk, so you can make an informed choice for your workplace. They’re calorie-burners:  We all know that sitting at a desk for hours each day is simply not good for our waistlines or our health. Standing desks help add variety and physical exercise to the workday, and users will burn more calories at a standing desk than a traditional one. They improve circulation: Being more active has another benefit – your circulation improves too! Getting your blood flowing is good for your health, helping to lower risks of blood clots and improving oxygen flow through your body. This has long-term wellness benefits too, helping reduce risks of heart d...

One of the best tools a company has to attract and retain top talent is the amenities they can offer their employees, but what amenities are the most rewarding ones to invest in? Here are some ideas from our  commercial office furniture team. Personal project time:  Strictly speaking, this is more of a perk than an amenity, but it’s a great idea anyway. Pioneered by 3M, the aim is to allow employees a certain amount of time and flexibility to work on their passion projects. Although this sounds counter-productive, the reality is that it improves overall engagement and productivity as well as energy levels. Even Google has a “20% Time” rule to allow for this, which produced Gmail! Concierge services:  If you want your employees to stay busy, engaged and focused at work, the best thing to do is to take some of those distracting, everyday tasks off their hands. Concierge services can take care of your employee’s personal errands, like grocery shopping, ensuring that...

Sit stand desks , also known as  adjustable height desks  or flexible office desks, allow employees to choose a desk height that works with their personal preferences, helping to create a more comfortable and healthier workplace. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for your ideal sit stand desk. Height range:  Different models of adjustable height desks offer different ranges that they can extend to. The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) recommends a range of 22.6 inches to 48.7 inches. If you have a wide range of height needs in your office, it’s best to choose an option with the widest range – especially if you are hot desking and multiple employees need to be able to use the same desk. Ease of adjustment:  Always look at the mechanism for adjusting the desk and choose one that is easy to use and quiet. A loud mechanism or one that requires more work to use can be disruptive in the workplace and employees ma...