How to Create a Modern Office Layout

In today’s workplace, having an office design that’s modern, comfortable, and prioritizes health and wellness is more important than ever. Essential design elements like natural touches, ergonomics, and flexible workspaces make employees more comfortable and productive—and they look great, too. However, if you’re designing your office space from scratch, deciding where to start can be overwhelming. ZGO Solutions is here to help.

In this article, the ZGO Solutions team outlines steps you can take to create a modern office layout. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Modern Office Design?

Modern office design isn’t a monolith. There are, however, design hallmarks that you’ll find in different modern office spaces; this design style utilizes bright, open design elements to inspire creativity and collaboration. Drab cubicles are exchanged for sleek workstations, florescent lighting for natural light sources.

Ergonomics and employee wellness is also important in modern office spaces, so you’ll often find comfortable couches, standing desks, and other human-centered touches. These choices are more than just aesthetic preferences; they make the office more comfortable, collaborative, and productive, too.

Fortunately, bringing modern office design elements to your workspace is simple. Keep reading to learn more.

6 Ideas for Designing Modern Offices

Updating your office design doesn’t have to be a challenge; follow these steps to get started.

1. Say Goodbye to Outdated and Traditional Office Furniture

Parting with outdated and uncomfortable office furniture is the first step to creating a modern, minimal office space. Elements from a traditional office, like cubicles, scratchy couches, and cumbersome desks hold employees back, especially if your goal is to create an environment that embraces health, wellness, and ergonomics.

2. Introduce Minimalistic Design Elements

A modern office layout no longer reflects the so-called “cubicle farms” of the previous era. Modern offices are filled with bright colors and stylish desks. But what do these furnishings have in common? A distinct lack of any unnecessary elements, with integrated technology and minimalist, Scandinavian designs.

Truly minimalist standing desks will have seamless technology integrations, and elevated design solutions that incorporate plugs and cord holders, and disguise cords and cables.

3. Prioritize Ergonomics

Standing desks have gotten a lot of attention is the past few years, and for good reason. Investing in ergonomic furniture is proven to not only increase employee productivity but also reduce costs for companies long term. By helping to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomic furniture helps reduce insurance costs, lost workdays, and worker’s compensation costs. More ergonomic workstations also increase overall employee engagement and workplace culture by promoting a healthier and engaging office environment.

4. Incorporate Natural Elements

Incorporating natural touches into your office spaces, such as greenery, natural building elements, and natural textiles reduces employee stress and increases engagement. However, the most vital factor to the overall productivity of your workplace is sunlight. Increased natural light has been shown to increase productivity and employee morale and lower utility costs by cutting down lighting costs.

5. Build “Hot Desking” Options

Hot desking is the idea of not limiting workers to one permanent desk space. Allowing your employees to work where they believe they will be the most productive eliminates stagnancy and offers a fresh perspective. However, hot desks should be used with caution and careful planning, as there is a risk of employees becoming territorial or competitive over particular spaces. When properly designed, hot desk systems can promote collaboration and overall workplace satisfaction among employees.

6. Design Collaborative Community Spaces

Providing the opportunity for employees to collaborate can help to increase problem-solving and strengthen office culture. Creating office space dedicated to this sense of community helps build employee morale and promote interconnectivity between staff members. Consider incorporating desk neighborhoods, collaborative layouts, and casual meeting spaces to boost office morale, connectivity, and creativity.

RELATED: The Zen Collection, Ergonomic Solutions to Your Modern Office Remodel Needs

One Mistake to Avoid When Designing an Office Layout

When you’re implementing modern office design elements, avoid the mistake of making changes that don’t actually benefit your team or meet their needs.

The modern workplace is centered around usability, health, and simplicity. So, if there’s an element of a modern office design that won’t benefit your office workers, skip it! As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, there’s no one office design that will work for everyone. So, if “hot desking” isn’t a practical solution for your accounting company, focus on crafting permanent workstations that are the most comfortable and productive possible using ergonomic standing desks, privacy screens, and Smart System features.

Because we know your office space needs are so unique, we offer a diverse range of desking solutions so you can trust you’ll find the workstation you’ve been looking for. This includes executive desks, standing desks, back-to-back desk configurations, privacy screens and other add-ons, social spaces, and more.

RELATED: Are Standing Desks Good for You?

ZGO Solutions Is Ready to Help Your Office Grow

Modern office design is one of our passions, which is why we take so much care to craft standing desk frames that are elegant, ergonomic, and functional.

To learn more about our collections, which products might be right for your office work environments, and how ZGO Solutions can help, view our collections, or reach out to speak with a member of our team directly.

We look forward to hearing from you!