11 Jul Your Home Away From Home

The corporate work place has seen a dramatic change in attitude within the last few years. The work dynamic has changed, become more relaxed and nurturing, with creative giants such as Apple, Microsoft and Google leading the way. Employee motivation has refocused so that an employee is no longer expected to sit in a cubical with their head down but is encouraged to seek communication, inspiration and enjoyment through their work.

This shift is mirrored in the interior design of offices, as more break out areas are created, vibrant colours are added and nature is brought inside. The new energetic and comfortable workplace is meant to make the employees feel at home, away from home. With contemporary breakout furniture becoming the centrepiece of many contract interior designs.

Comfortable Break Out Areas

The Microsoft Headquarters in Sweden were designed for this new world of work, using clever products from Bla Station to create areas of interaction, creativity and collaboration. A sofa corner allows for a comfortable chat with coworkers, while the vibrant lunch room gives employees new energy.

Colourful Creativity

Bold and fun colours are found to increase creativity, and are therefore used by many companies such as Google and Skype. In addition, the vibrant colours add an air of youthfulness and playfulness to the workplace.

Bringing Outside, Inside

Indoor plants have usually been reserved for the home, but  you can find them more and more in offices buildings. Almost a return to the 70s (some of us remember the token, dust covered rubber plant), but this time with far more design thought. Bringing that extra touch of nature inside softens the stereotypical sharp and cold corporate atmosphere.