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More organisations are introducing return-to-work policies – companies such as Amazon, Santander, Asda, JD Sports and Boots are just a few of the big-name employers mandating set office days. While homeworking has its benefits, businesses are starting to feel the impact of a dispersed workforce, realising that something is missing from the way people perform as a team.
So what does this mean for office design trends in 2025? The challenge is demonstrating to employees that returning to the workplace is worth the commute. As offices fill up again, leaders will need to focus on experience-driven design.
Working from home has reminded many of us what’s missing when we’re apart – spontaneous conversations, sharing ideas and building relationships in person.
In response, we’ve seen organisations integrate central social spaces into their open-plan offices. But without strategic design, these areas can become noisy and distracting to others sharing the space. The last thing we want is to create these social spaces only to impose rules asking people to keep quiet. Offices need to cater to diverse personality types and offer quiet places as well as areas that encourage expression and collaboration.
To better accommodate different needs, we’ll see more design elements such as hedging, enclosures and zoning to ensure each space serves its intended purpose without disrupting others.
How many of us have opted to work from home because it’s ‘easier to concentrate’?
To encourage staff to willingly choose the office, we need to address the distractions. Employees shouldn’t have to worry about being interrupted by Teams conversations, events or loud music. Spaces for focus work remain a non-negotiable.
Without these dedicated focus areas, there’s a risk employees will come in for an in-person meeting but then go back home when they need to concentrate. Our studies show that visual distraction and auditory interruption are two of the biggest factors that reduce performance and effectiveness.
Organisations can start to address this by:
While employers can’t control the time it takes employees to commute, they can make the office experience worth the journey. Frictionless, tech-enabled environments will reduce downtime, help employees focus on their work – not spending time trying to find an appropriate meeting room, or figuring out how to operate over complex, unintuitive devices. The same technology will provide vital feedback and insight as to how the space is being used and help inform future evolution.
From hybrid-enabled meeting rooms to on-site tech support hubs, offices are evolving to meet employee needs. Even seemingly small issues – like a broken coffee machine or a malfunctioning photocopier – can disrupt someone’s day and cause unnecessary friction.
Designing for comfort, convenience and control is key. Some organisations are going a step further, hiring dedicated teams or individuals to manage and curate the workplace experience so it’s seamless, efficient and relevant.
The workplace is where employees and clients truly experience and connect with the brand and culture – something that simply can’t be replicated in the home environment.
In 2025, we expect to see more organisations using workplace design to reinforce their identity. And that doesn’t mean plastering brand colours or logos on every wall. Effective office branding is about designing spaces that embody a company’s ethos and values and instil pride and purpose.
Thoughtfully designed environments, whether through meaningful aesthetics, immersive brand elements or subtle nods to brand values, serve as daily reminders of why employees joined the company. These spaces don’t just look good, they form a deeper alliance to the brand’s mission and foster a sense of belonging.
The office is evolving into more than a place of work. It’s becoming a hub for personal and professional growth.
In 2025, we’ll see more offices offering flexible spaces for learning, mentorship and skill-sharing. From learning zones to tech-enabled training suites and private nooks for 1-2-1s, these areas will support activities such as lunch-and-learn sessions, town hall gatherings and informal workshops.
Providing opportunities for personal growth doesn’t just support employees’ career aspirations, it also strengthens organisational performance.
Great offices don’t happen by chance. They’re the result of strategic design, a deep understanding of employees’ needs, and a focus on offering meaningful experiences. It’s not just about ticking boxes or prioritising aesthetics – it’s about balancing form and function to help people perform at their best. It’s about designing spaces that support desired outcomes.
Exceptional workplaces cater to diverse working styles and sensory needs, enabling collaboration, focus and personal growth. But these spaces don’t shape themselves – they require ongoing effort and careful curation.
The result? Offices aren’t just places to work but environments where employees feel inspired, valued, included and connected.
Want to dive deeper into how office design can enhance your workplace strategy? Get in touch with our team here.
More organisations are introducing return-to-work policies – companies such as Amazon, Santander, Asda, JD Sports and Boots are just a few of the big-name employers mandating set office days. While homeworking has its benefits, businesses are starting to feel the impact of a dispersed workforce, realising that something is missing from the way people perform as a team.
So what does this mean for office design trends in 2025? The challenge is demonstrating to employees that returning to the workplace is worth the commute. As offices fill up again, leaders will need to focus on experience-driven design.
Working from home has reminded many of us what’s missing when we’re apart – spontaneous conversations, sharing ideas and building relationships in person.
In response, we’ve seen organisations integrate central social spaces into their open-plan offices. But without strategic design, these areas can become noisy and distracting to others sharing the space. The last thing we want is to create these social spaces only to impose rules asking people to keep quiet. Offices need to cater to diverse personality types and offer quiet places as well as areas that encourage expression and collaboration.
To better accommodate different needs, we’ll see more design elements such as hedging, enclosures and zoning to ensure each space serves its intended purpose without disrupting others.
How many of us have opted to work from home because it’s ‘easier to concentrate’?
To encourage staff to willingly choose the office, we need to address the distractions. Employees shouldn’t have to worry about being interrupted by Teams conversations, events or loud music. Spaces for focus work remain a non-negotiable.
Without these dedicated focus areas, there’s a risk employees will come in for an in-person meeting but then go back home when they need to concentrate. Our studies show that visual distraction and auditory interruption are two of the biggest factors that reduce performance and effectiveness.
Organisations can start to address this by:
While employers can’t control the time it takes employees to commute, they can make the office experience worth the journey. Frictionless, tech-enabled environments will reduce downtime, help employees focus on their work – not spending time trying to find an appropriate meeting room, or figuring out how to operate over complex, unintuitive devices. The same technology will provide vital feedback and insight as to how the space is being used and help inform future evolution.
From hybrid-enabled meeting rooms to on-site tech support hubs, offices are evolving to meet employee needs. Even seemingly small issues – like a broken coffee machine or a malfunctioning photocopier – can disrupt someone’s day and cause unnecessary friction.
Designing for comfort, convenience and control is key. Some organisations are going a step further, hiring dedicated teams or individuals to manage and curate the workplace experience so it’s seamless, efficient and relevant.
The workplace is where employees and clients truly experience and connect with the brand and culture – something that simply can’t be replicated in the home environment.
In 2025, we expect to see more organisations using workplace design to reinforce their identity. And that doesn’t mean plastering brand colours or logos on every wall. Effective office branding is about designing spaces that embody a company’s ethos and values and instil pride and purpose.
Thoughtfully designed environments, whether through meaningful aesthetics, immersive brand elements or subtle nods to brand values, serve as daily reminders of why employees joined the company. These spaces don’t just look good, they form a deeper alliance to the brand’s mission and foster a sense of belonging.
The office is evolving into more than a place of work. It’s becoming a hub for personal and professional growth.
In 2025, we’ll see more offices offering flexible spaces for learning, mentorship and skill-sharing. From learning zones to tech-enabled training suites and private nooks for 1-2-1s, these areas will support activities such as lunch-and-learn sessions, town hall gatherings and informal workshops.
Providing opportunities for personal growth doesn’t just support employees’ career aspirations, it also strengthens organisational performance.
Great offices don’t happen by chance. They’re the result of strategic design, a deep understanding of employees’ needs, and a focus on offering meaningful experiences. It’s not just about ticking boxes or prioritising aesthetics – it’s about balancing form and function to help people perform at their best. It’s about designing spaces that support desired outcomes.
Exceptional workplaces cater to diverse working styles and sensory needs, enabling collaboration, focus and personal growth. But these spaces don’t shape themselves – they require ongoing effort and careful curation.
The result? Offices aren’t just places to work but environments where employees feel inspired, valued, included and connected.
Want to dive deeper into how office design can enhance your workplace strategy? Get in touch with our team here.