8 Office Design Trends Driven by Millennials
Slowly but surely, millennials are replacing baby boomers as the leading force in the workplace and they are bringing forward a new way of thinking, working and living. The right office design can attract valuable millennial talents and even increase their productivity and workplace satisfaction. Here are just some of the trends driven by millennials you must incorporate into your office design.
Concentrate on well-being
One of the most important things for millennials, especially young Americans, is their health, happiness and general well-being. They are attracted to healthy living and want to give their time and expertise to a company that will cater to their health needs and values the balance between life and work. Designing good outdoor areas is a great way to provide employees with plenty of opportunities to practice their wellbeing. Also, eating healthy is one of the hottest subjects in the world today, so make it clear where your company stands on the topic of nourishment. Encourage healthy eating and your office will be much more appealing to the younger workforce.
High-tech gadgets and tools
Some offices that aim to employ millennials have technology that is outdated and old-fashioned in design. Most millennials have had access to technology since an early age, so they expect to be provided with high-tech gadgets and tools in the workplace! So, make sure to invest in modern tools and apps, especially those that will make communication between employees easier and faster. Constant innovation in the field of technology will show millennials that the company is ready to grow, change and adapt, which is very important to them.
Office safety
Today, we can often hear about office attacks in the USA, UK and other big urban centers where innocent people get hurt. That’s why millennials wish to be provided with good security that will keep them safe and comfortable at work. Also, office fires are another health concern to millennials, especially since several commercial buildings in Australia went up in flames in 2018. So, make sure to have your office wired and inspected by a professional electrician who will ensure everything in your building is connected properly. They tackle everything from power, lighting and switchboards to ceiling and exhaust fans – everything that a comfortable and functional office requires.
Interesting design
Aside from boosting health, millennials also wish to work in an environment that is attractive, fun and comfortable. Just check out a few designs that grab attention with everything from furniture to decoration. Hire expert designers that can handle everything from simple office updates to more complicated projects, so the size of your office isn’t an issue. However, making your office more fun doesn’t mean you must replace all stairs with slides and chairs with beanbags. Just avoid cookie-cutter design and standard office furniture that doesn’t inspire.
Good lighting
Every office needs good artificial lighting, no matter how much natural light your space gets. Luckily, traditional light bulbs are out and quality LED lighting products are in. If you hire an expert LED lighting manufacturer, you can expect to get top lighting solutions that are efficient, innovative and energy-efficient. Best manufacturers concentrate on human-centric lighting that mimics natural daylight and offers comfort to the eyes.
Green technology
Green design is in huge demand in the modern workplace, especially among millennials who are much more eco-friendly and environmentally-conscious than any generation before. Eco-friendly lighting, solar power, sustainable structural design, recycled materials and a variety of plants all create an environment that is green and biophilic and in which millennials feel the happiest. In addition, green design shows that your company cares about something besides numbers, which is something many employees and clients are ready to stand behind.
Open and practical offices
As stated before, millennials love to communicate with co-workers and have the flexibility of space and plenty of choice on how, when and where they work. The best solution to this is to create an office that encourages communication AND productivity at the same time! Semi-open space plan does just that: it allows easy engagement with team members while offering privacy when needed. To strike the right balance between openness and privacy, analyze your type of work, the tasks that employees tackle and the relationship between the teams, and you’ll be able to design a perfect semi-open office space every millennial will enjoy.
Fun communal spaces
Millennials are one of the most stressed generations in history, so they prefer working in an environment that encourages friendly interaction and relaxation during breaks. Interesting break rooms can further boost interaction, build great office culture and allow employees to catch a breather and relax. These communal areas can even improve creativity and spark many great ideas and solutions to work problems thanks to communication between teams and different branches. However, that doesn’t mean you can get a ping pong table, give rackets to your workers and call it a day. Equip your communal spaces with interesting games and cozy furniture, and encourage fun activities.
Young people seem to crave working in an environment that boasts comfort, safety and fun, and that sees a better way of doing business. They are ready to dedicate their time to a company that not only cares about its employees but also follows trends and stays relevant in the ever-shifting work climate.