Five Innovative Workspace Trends Shaping 2018

Office trends often sneak up on us, but will they stick around? Unlike fashion, which can be daring and experimental, office trends are all about solving problems. Office spaces are designed to boost productivity, making them practical and efficient. But what happens when you work in a non-traditional space? Often, shaking things up can spark new ideas and creativity. Here are five non-traditional workplace trends you might notice more of this year.

For many, the traditional 9-to-5 in an office is draining. To escape, more people are flocking to “coffices,” which blend coffee shops with workspaces. Here, you can sip a coffee or munch on a scone while finishing up a report or testing a program. Unlike regular cafés, coffices offer an alternative working environment where staying doesn’t require a purchase.

Take, for example, an office building in Toronto that features a unique coffice space on its first floor. It’s a place for lunch breaks, client meetings, and getting work done, complete with a café selling drinks and croissants. Montréal is also home to coffices like Café Coffice, where you can print documents or rent a conference room, and Anticafé, where you pay a small hourly fee to use the space.

It’s tough to pinpoint when this trend started, but some say it coincides with the advent of free Wi-Fi. Even major coffee chains like Starbucks fit the criteria, as many patrons work there while enjoying their favorite lattes.

The rise of freelancing has fueled the demand for co-working spaces. It’s projected that by 2020, half of the U.S. workforce will work freelance. In Canada, freelancers already accounted for over 10% of the employed population in 2015. Since many freelancers prefer a space outside their home to work without distractions, we can expect more co-working spaces and coffices to pop up.

We’re also likely to see more Artificial Intelligence (AI) in workplaces. From personal scheduling assistants to chatbots and HR software, AI is taking over tasks previously done by humans. This trend encourages us to reimagine work, focusing more on core responsibilities and fostering a mobile workforce where being in the office isn’t always necessary. Soon enough, it won’t be surprising if your colleague, Andrew, turns out to be an AI assistant.

Companies face the challenge of creating workplaces where employees are eager to be. Consequently, office designs are becoming more homelike and inviting, steering away from sterile environments. For instance, some conference rooms have been redesigned to resemble cozy living rooms.

Modern workplaces are now integrating office bars, an idea that was almost unheard of a decade ago. These bars provide perfect spots for unwinding and chatting with coworkers after a busy day. These relaxed spaces help reduce anxiety and stress, enabling employees to perform at their best.

Amazon’s Biospheres set to open soon, and the trend of moss walls in green office spaces have caught attention. Designers today are creatively finding ways to incorporate plants into office spaces. Plants not only reduce stress and improve air quality but also make offices more serene, moving away from dull cubicle setups.

Instead of traditional cubicles, plant dividers offer a fresh alternative. These green partitions add privacy, visual interest, and a dash of nature to the office. You can even enhance this by creatively installing plants on the ceiling.

The biophilic design trend encourages open spaces that maximize natural light, using glass partitions and large windows to let more light pour in.

Open-plan offices have faced criticism for noise and distractions. This has driven the demand for more secluded, quieter spaces. As a result, open offices are evolving into hybrid setups, featuring diverse rooms and amenities, including common areas, conference rooms, and soundproof enclaves.

Soundproof areas can be created using various acoustic furniture options, like mini-booths or high-backed chairs that provide personal enclosures.

By introducing quiet zones, offices allow employees to work independently with minimal interruptions.