In our latest blog, we’re exploring why workplace interiors matter, what businesses want from a workspace, and – crucially, how landlords and developers can create spaces that close the deal.

‍Why do workplace interiors matter?

The modern workplace is more than just a place we clock in and out of. Gone are the days of cheerless cubicles and bland boardrooms.

Today’s CEO wants a space that nurtures, motivates, and energises their team: a place people want to be.

The lure of homeworking is at an all-time high, and the desire to nail work-life balance is calling us back to our kitchen table.

We’ve seen a clear shift towards hybrid workspaces, and it’s natural that a more flexible way of working ushers in a different kind of office look, functionality, and ambience.

Business owners want to strike that delicate balance of attracting workers into the office by making it a warm and welcoming space while keeping the good vibes flowing amid fluctuating daily personnel levels.  

And it’s that homely feel we’re craving right now as individuals. We moved from the office to our homes suddenly, and sought sanctuary from the comfort we found there. Now, the workplace needs to blend those positives we savoured at home into a workplace environment where we can experience the same security.

A positive space for all: can the office make you ill?

Your working environment impacts your health significantly. Bad ergonomics and harsh lighting cause debilitating aches and pains, while emotionless design demotivates us to the point of polishing our CVs and heading for the exit.

The term Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) was coined back in 1984, but the physical features of space can still cause serious health complaints today.

50% of employers surveyed by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in 2021 had a formal wellbeing strategy – an increase of 6% from 2020.

With a sharp focus on wellbeing, business owners want to do all they can to support employees’ physical and mental health.

After all, a healthy workforce significantly reduces absenteeism and presenteeism, which combine to cost the UK economy an incredible £73 billion a year.

A 2018 survey in the US revealed that when the working environment caused respondents to feel ill, it impacted mental health in 69% of respondents and physical health in 50%.

36% said it impacted their family lives, while 35% said it negatively influenced their relationships.

A massive 66% said feeling unwell due to their working environment shaped their general happiness.

Employee wellbeing directly influences productivity, retention, and customer satisfaction.

Plus, first impressions of a shabby reception area turn potential clients off at the first hurdle, so your interiors are a powerful asset.

Why office design is more critical than ever

Therefore, we’ve seen why contemporary businesses demand a space that reflects their ambition and culture.

The Covid bounceback is reviving the property market.

Meanwhile, the Great Resignation is pushing business owners to do the most to attract and retain teams.

So, developers, landlords, and letting agents need to do more to compel ambitious businesses to sign on the dotted line.

What do businesses want from their workspace?

‍We’ve delved into the importance of workplace interiors. But what does the modern office look like on a practical level?

A successful contemporary workspace should have:

Communal and private spaces

Collaboration is crucial, so ample communal spaces promote interaction and engagement to set your workspace up for success.

We all have different needs and modes of working, so a fully open-plan office prevents introverted employees from getting the peace they need to thrive.

Therefore, a careful blend of the two is the secret to a successful workspace.

Comfortable features

The rise of resimercial design has seen offices morph into a home away from home. Modern workspaces push the boundaries of the office to become hybrid spaces where work meets play.

Employers want to offer a sense of exclusivity and focus their office design around that of a private members’ club or hip hotel.

Stepping into an office that’s giving Soho House or the Hoxton vibes makes employees feel proud to belong to a professional community that represents them.

And while the move towards that private members’ club vibe can be positive, it requires a sensitive touch to get it right. Otherwise, all play and no work won’t get the results businesses need to succeed.

Added value

Adding value into workplace interiors is key to creating a space people want to be. Those features enable business owners to attract the brightest stars and keep teams feeling energised and engaged.

So, while an entire amenities floor that returns zero rental income may feel wasteful from a developer’s perspective, the value it brings to an organisation that prioritises culture becomes crystal clear.

How can landlords, developers, and agents create deal-clinching workspaces?

In an ever-changing world of workplace interiors, it feels challenging to stay ahead of the curve.

However, landlords, agents, and developers should see office design as an opportunity to stand out in a competitive marketplace.

Aesthetics alone don’t cut it anymore. The new professional expects that as the minimum, and the contemporary CEO knows looks aren’t enough to woo top talent.

So, developers and landlords must collaborate with workplace interior designers who understand the assignment if they want to create deal-clinching spaces.

Your interior design partner should have an intuitive approach, an industry-leading attitude and an understanding of what it takes to meet your targets.

Jolie Studio is raising the bar of workplace interior design through a sensory, experience-led approach.

We’re a team of millennial professionals with lived experience of how 21st-century workspaces should look, feel, and operate. Bringing us in at an early stage prevents you from wasting precious time and budget updating spaces to be “good enough”: we can step in at the right moment to lead with confidence and capture your clients’ attention first time.

If you’re motivated to create modern workspaces that sell themselves, let’s talk.

Contact our team of workplace interior design experts on 0161 533 0366 or hello@joliestudio.co.uk