As with all things, a trend is lovable while in the trend with another person outside the trend the next day. And that truth applies to the design of the office as well. From the aesthetics or the designs, or even from the materials there is continuative aspect that is always improving. Employee requirements and overall corporate culture also define both the directions observed in the office design and business models, as well as what ends up in the offices. You might now consider trends in the general sense to be limited to pieces of furniture or design of offices. However, trends do not stop at that but go deeper for instance the materials used in offices.
As for the materials, it is possible to get much more in tune with the preferred aesthetics of the office. Using environmentally friendly products like reclaimed wood or vinyl flooring without PVC can represent the organization’s policies for sustainability as well as socially responsible approaches and also create the atmosphere for the working day. The options as far as the materials are concerned are practically inestimable. From color to feel, appearance to sustainability, there seems to be it all for every company and its employee based. However, do such materials as incorporated in office design matter?
Why Does the Material Matter?
Nature has an impact on people. Sometimes natural colors make one feel that they are closer to nature and hence make the environment more of biophilic. Such tissues as gentle and smooth guarantee comfort to such individuals. Energetic patterns can lead to feelings of agitation. In a way that we may or may not be fully aware of, it does matter what materials go into the design of an office.
In addition to the way they touch-sense we as individuals, materials can also influence our attitude towards the company for which we work. One of the trends in the design of offices for quite some time now is the incorporation of green material. This might be furniture made from certified timber or metallic furniture that is entirely from recycled material. Many times, however, an employee will go to work to have a desk that was made in an environmentally friendly manner. People have stretched something as far as they think it is significant.
Sustainably Sourced Wood
Even though wood in furniture might be seen as a factor that contributes to deforestation, it doesn’t have to be. Individuals have woken up and are not only aware of the effects of their actions on the environment. It has changed whole sectors, and that has brought us to more sustainable solutions. Sustainable timber reduces the effect that felling or harvesting has on future healthy growth.
Wood has also been recently assumed to be a more feasible material for office furniture due to the life of the product. Wood is sometimes important or results in quality and longer-lasting product. It also means reduced future expenses to companies that have to replace old or damaged furniture in their organizations.
PVC-Free Materials
It seems that for as long as people have existed, they have been searching for the answers to the effects that the environment has on them individually. It is now common knowledge that everyday people interact with several chemicals and additives and as such seek better products. It probably comes as no surprise that most of us have some interaction with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) daily. Enter PVC-free materials.
Carpet
In regard to the floor concepts, many materials are employed in designing offices. However, those options are not cheap and one cannot easily design them according to one’s needs. By its nature carpet is much cheaper and also relatively simple to install compared to other floor covering types. While wooden flooring poses a lot of preparation before it can be laid, or concrete floors which have expensive toppings, carpet is relatively easy to lay.
Carpet tiles are applied in many offices. These premade sections of carpet are very flexible to transport, use, and even repair when one or two sections may get spoilt. These tiles give companies a very hard-wearing guarantee that can stand the rigor of modern business. Apart from the functionality, it’s also rather simple to come across a color or pattern or texture that would suit the image of a certain company.
Leather
Leather as a material is not commonly used when it comes to planning the office interior design. But it is making a comeback because it is comfortable and even has a luxurious look. Leather while can be slightly more costly than regular cloth sofas or chairs, has greater benefits way outweighing the demerits if one overlooks the cost issue.
Leather by design does not accumulate dirt and pet dander should your office allow pets. It is also much easier to clean because of its manufacturing process. Leather is very easy to clean and does not necessarily need professional treatment hence many frequent user offices prefer furniture with leather upholstery.
Cork
Our normal perception of cork will quickly make us remember the cork boards for our ‘to-do’ list and other sticky notes. However, cork can be used in many ways including as floor material, acoustic material, and as insulating material. It is not only cheap to construct with many uses, but it is today considered one of the most environmentally friendly building materials.
That is to say, it does not exploit the tree as other materials derived from trees and forests try to do, in the process of harvesting and manufacturing cork, the tree is not killed or harmed. In addition with the fact that the material used is from a tree, which is added every year making it a renewable resource. Besides recycling or reusing old furniture in some way, cork is probably one of the more environmentally friendly materials utilized in office design. Yahoo! also has an article that discusses how cork is friendly to the environment. Not only that the material is environmentally friendly, it continues to help reduce the emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What Materials Should You Use?
As is always the case with how the office space is designed, the material choices are entirely up to the company. Others require big working areas and hence may prefer relaxed and long-lasting materials including leather chairs. Others might be renovating an old factory and there might already be concrete floors that can look stunning.
First of all, let me say that there is no universal solution to what will be suitable to be used in one’s office. From the literature review, it is essential to distinguish what is available in the market today, the visual identity of the brand, and what is needed by the employees. Here at StrongProject, we have lots of different office furniture designs available in many different finishes, colors, and combinations. Thus, no matter whether your choice falls to fabric-covered employee booths or handsome wooden conference tables, our product lines help you create the office environment you need.
