New Year Design Trends

At this time of year, many of us find ourselves looking at the exciting new design trends for commercial spaces. It is important to customers and staff that offices and reception areas are smart, welcoming and user friendly. First impressions definitely count and a pleasant working environment lifts everyone’s spirits and sense of well-being. There are new trending colours, textures and furniture shapes.  Why not welcome in 2021 with some New Year design trends?

With so many people spending months working from home, there is a definite shift towards a more relaxed and flexible approach to office design. Adequate space and pristine kitchen and toilet facilities are essential in these COVID-19 days and they demonstrate to staff that their well-being and safety is top priority. Another important consideration in our modern world, is the use of sustainable and recycled materials wherever possible. The new design trends for 2021 will definitely make the workplace look and feel better. ( www.hackrea.com/stories/modern-office-design-trends-2021/) 

Colours and textures

This year’s new colours for commercial spaces are taken from the domestic palette. All the earthy tones are popular for paints and furnishings. Colours include rust, greens, all shades of brown and deep wine reds. These are perfect for offices, as they are relaxing and less intimidating. These mellow shades can be used like a canvas and livened up with splashes of a bolder accent colour. Highlight accents using burnt orange, lime green or turquoise all provide great contrast. Once again, wood is the most important material for office furniture. The emphasis is on old, secondhand or upcycled furniture in lighter woods such as pine and oak. Interesting pieces of driftwood are being used as attractive features on counters and coffee tables.

The New Year design trend is flexible room design.

Floresy - meeting place design trends

Work places are losing their formality

With many members of staff still working from home or continuing ‘flexible working’, companies find themselves needing to adapt their work spaces. Good video conferencing facilities are becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. These facilities will be vital for much of 2021. In some companies, this form of communication has proved so effective, that it will always be used now. Suitable comfortable areas for video conferencing are essential.

Consider adapting large office spaces to maintain social distancing. Once restrictions have eased, there will be the requirement for privacy for private meetings or customer visits. Perspex and glass screens have been widely installed for use during the pandemic, but many companies are now looking for alternatives that do the same job – but are more visually appealing. Planters, ‘living walls’ and huge indoor plants are all effective and versatile as they can be re-positioned. Fabric screens are popular as they add colour and can absorb noise effectively.

The pandemic has triggered dramatic changes in the workplace. Many companies now feel that as many staff members are only coming in on certain days that  ‘hot desking’ is the way forward – rather than having designated desks. Create a spacious and comfortable’collaboration zone’ for staff. These are areas where they can meet and sit comfortably, whilst they share ideas or discuss projects.

Resimercial design is gathering momentum

For the last few years, ‘resimercial’ has been a buzzword with interior designers. The is a blend of the words ‘residential’ and ‘commercial’ and it describes bringing home comforts into office design. After so many months of home working, this idea is proving increasingly popular. A more relaxed work environment helps promote happiness and mental well being in staff. Resimercial styling softens the starkness of the office by introducing indoor plants, warmer lighting and attractive wall paintings and pictures. Build on this style by adding softer seating, coffee tables and rugs.

Floresy - Reception area design trends

Reception areas are very welcoming

Reception areas are becoming boutique

The character of a company and hotel reception areas is dramatically changing. Both are losing their clinical and corporate character and gaining what interior designers call a ‘boutique style’. New style receptions feature statement wallpapers, softer paint colours and eclectic collections of comfortable seating. Colourful tactile fabrics that are different from the usual corporate array can banish blandness. There is a gallery approach to wall decoration, this groups interesting paintings or photographs with a common theme.

The idea behind these design changes is that receptions should be welcoming to customers and in no way intimidating. Customers are more likely to relax and linger in them. Receptions with a relaxed feel, will make customers feel more comfortable about asking for any advice they may need.

Restaurants are softening their design trends

Floresy- plant design trends

Rustic charm is emphasised by large plants

Many diners love to feel that their favourite restaurant is ‘home from home’. One of the trending styles for homes in 2021 is rustic charm and this is also good for restaurants. Rustic charm is a perennially favourite style. It works well in older properties with wooden beams and panelled walls, but the new take on this look works in bright, modern spaces too. In the past, rustic charm meant everything in the room was in this style, but the modern twist for 2021 is to develop the theme using just a few key pieces of furniture.

Successfully create a warm, comfortable ambiance in your restaurant, with some rustic charm. Introduce this design trend effortlessly, with the addition of a grandfather clock, traditionally styled chairs and a display of antique glasses. Indoor plants are a big design feature for 2021 and some traditional leafy plants such as ferns and palms accentuate the look perfectly. Climbing and trailing plants can be cleverly used to decorate bare walls and staircases as well as conceal doorways.

There are many exciting ideas for interior designs in 2021 that will dispel the clinical look still found in so many commercial spaces. Why not make it your New Year’s resolution to ring the changes in yours?

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