25 Office Design Ideas for 2025

Inspiring Office Design Ideas for 2025

We’ve compiled 9 creative office design ideas to inspire your next office fit out or refurbishment, regardless of the size or type. If you’re moving offices and looking for design ideas, or looking to renovate your existing office, there’s something in here for everyone. We hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring.

All the images shown in this article are completed projects of ours. If you see anything you like, bookmark it and get in touch with us. We will help you transform your office into an amazing workspace while managing the design and build from start to finish.

Idea #1 – Flexible Hybrid Workspaces

With the rise of hybrid working, companies have taken the initiative to implement major office design improvements. This shift has prompted a rethinking of how office spaces are utilised and optimised. Rishad Tobaccowala, the CEO of Publicis, likens the changes in hybrid working to software releases that take shape over time. Rather than being built and left as they are, offices should be under constant review. When reviewing space plans and layout options, our office design team recommend including dedicated spaces for concentration, collaboration, and relaxation, in addition to allowing space for traditional workstations, which are equally important. For a full, detailed review, see our guide on hybrid office design

Idea #2 – Eye-Catching Office Entrances

If studies on first impressions are any guide, you only have 27 seconds to make a good first impression. Additionally, 70% of people form their first impressions before any communication takes place. Office entrances (reception areas, lobbies, entryways, and corridors) are key elements in creating first impressions for a company brand. Think about the snap judgments formed by visitors, clients, prospective candidates, and new starters as they are exposed for the first time to your office reception area or lobby. Reception desks should be more than a cosmetic afterthought, they should be a design-led centrepiece that expresses the corporate identity.

Our client, Instinctif Partners, is exemplary of this, with a reception desk that highlights the brand identity right at the point of entering the building. Waiting areas are equally important. A good example of this is the work we did for the International Security Forum (ISF). We wanted the reception and waiting area to have an immediate impact on visitors. We achieved this by using bold aluminium cast lettering of the ISF logo, which we positioned against a patterned wood wall. The whole feature was illuminated with directional spotlights.

Idea #3 – Maximise Natural Light

With 80-90% of our days spent indoors, it may not be surprising that natural light is an important factor in planning office spaces. In fact, an HR poll of 1,614 employees, published in the Harvard Business Review, shows access to natural light is the number one attribute workers want in their office environment. Further studies have shown that increasing natural light can have a significant impact on everything from mood to creativity and concentration.

Natural light is an important consideration in office design. Improving natural light can be achieved through effective space planning. For instance, creating open-plan workspaces optimises natural light. Similarly, including glazed partitioning allows light to filter throughout the workplace.

 

Idea #4 – Improve Fresh Air and Natural Ventilation

The benefits of fresh air are numerous. 20% of the air we breathe is used by the brain; so having fresh air ultimately leads to clearer thinking, focus and concentration. Studies have also proven that oxygenated blood can significantly elevate brain serotonin synthesis. This in turn can elevate a sense of happiness and well-being in the workplace. In fact, a Harvard study of 7 US cities found that doubling the acceptable rate of ventilation in office buildings led to an 8% increase in employee productivity.

In addition to the psychological advantage of fresh air, there are also physiological benefits. When working indoors, breathing tends to be shallow (inhaling air into the top part of the lungs, or apical breathing). When you’re outdoors, moving around, either walking, jogging, or running, it encourages increased diaphragmatic breathing. This process of deep breathing not only helps you inhale more oxygen but also helps you exhale more toxins.

Breathing fresh air has other health benefits. Viruses and bacteria have a reduced survival rate when air is constantly circulating. Conversely, it thrives indoors where the air is warm and humid. Low-quality indoor air can lead to various ailments, including headaches, fatigue, and sometimes chronic illnesses, such as allergies and respiratory diseases.

Ventilation has also become particularly relevant in recent times, following the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now part of government guidance to encourage the circulation of air in closed spaces. When someone with a cold breathes, coughs, or sneezes, they release particles (aerosols) containing viruses. In poorly ventilated office spaces, these particles remain suspended in the air. As the particles gather, the chance of transmitting the virus increases. Letting fresh air into a confined office space significantly reduces the chance of airborne transmission.

Here are a couple of ideas for designing your office to maximise fresh air:

• Utilising existing outdoor spaces: providing easy access to outdoor spaces is a must, whether it’s gardens, terraces, balconies, or rooftop areas.
• Encourage Open-Air Team Meetings: provisioning outdoor spaces not just for lunch breaks but also for work activities is another way to encourage more engagement and productivity while keeping employees happy and healthy.

We anticipate that hybrid working, in line with health guidance and warmer weather, will continue to involve a lot more use of open-air furniture and offices being designed to make more use of their outdoor areas.

Idea #5 – Optimise Office Space

Office space utilisation has become increasingly important. All workplaces contain a number of “in-between spaces” or “dead spaces”. Think corridors, under stairs and other nooks and crannies that have not previously been utilised for any purpose. One of the most prevalent current office design trends is the increasing use of these unconventional spaces which are transformed into functional work areas in the form of small huddle booths, informal meeting spaces or even private one-person pods.

As companies embrace a more flexible way of working, office design has endeavoured to be far more space-efficient. Giving serious consideration to how to optimise any space and thinking creatively about how to use otherwise dead space areas can be a thoroughly worthwhile task, and it can result in the inclusion of an array of new workspaces that allow staff to work effectively and in an increasingly agile manner. While the manual rationalising of space is a good first step, there are more technically advanced solutions.

Occupancy monitoring systems integrated into smart offices, like Irisys’s True Occupancy, acts as a single source of truth, by capturing and assimilating data on how the office is used on a day-to-day basis. This is achieved with state-of-the-art intelligence sensors that provide objective data on things like desk occupancy, and people counting sensors at entry and exit points (doorways, zones, and stairwell entries on various floorplates). The sensors only need to be installed at key locations, making the occupancy counting very scalable and cost-effective. Through integrated dashboards, occupancy data can also be brought together with other Smart Office technology such as HVAC and lighting control systems, and meeting room booking systems.

Idea #6 – Design for Workplace Wellbeing

Well-being in the workplace is crucial and it’s becoming increasingly important alongside growing health concerns (work-related stress and mental health) as well as the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. However, according to the CIPD, only around 50% of the UK workplace has a formal well-being strategy. Mind (the UK’s leading mental health charity) may be a good place to start for any UK company looking to improve employee wellbeing. In addition to offering free advice and workplace surveys to companies of 20 employees and above, they also celebrate achievements with the Workplace Wellbeing Awards.

From a design perspective, workplace wellbeing has many different elements. Some of the workplace wellbeing initiatives currently used include:

• Showers to facilitate staff cycling or running to work
• Scheduling lunchtime yoga and staff massages
• Adequate bike storage and cycle parking areas to encourage cycle-to-work
• Including fruit and healthy snacks, and a range of healthy hot drinks

Designing for workplace wellbeing is likely to become more important as competition to attract and retain the very best staff intensifies. Many companies are creating staff-centric workplaces with well-being at their core. The benefits of designing any workplace with wellbeing as a key priority are numerous, and consequently, companies may find it useful to spend time thinking about how wellbeing can be improved.

Further reading on Workplace Wellbeing

• Harvard Business Review –The No 1 Office Perk – Natural Light
• Newday – Benefits of Natural Light in the Workplace
• Mind – Index Insight Report 
• Mind – Workplace Wellbeing Index 

Idea #7 – Ergonomics and The End of Endless Sitting

There is mounting scientific evidence of the detrimental health effects of prolonged sitting. As the trend towards health and workplace wellbeing continues, we may well see fundamental changes in the way offices are designed. For instance, Barbara Visser, a visual artist, has designed a conceptual working environment with surfaces that allow working without sitting (i.e. by leaning or standing). While we might be some way away from fully replacing conventional office chairs and desks, practical applications of this principle already exist.

Applications include:

• Ergonomic office chairs that accommodate natural movement and encourage good posture
• Sit-stand desks that allow better posture and avoid repetitive strain when sitting
• Tall tables to encourage standing meetings
• Breakout areas with motivational seating to avoid pure desk-based work
• Hybrid office spaces that encourage movement and reduce repetitive strain.

Idea #8 – The Use of Multiple Colours

Colour can make a big impression. While many companies look to just use their own brand palette, we always recommend considering other tones which subtly denote what certain spaces are designed for. For instance, soft colours improve concentration, and vibrant colours enhance collaboration and creativity. You can find out more in our dedicated article focusing on the relationship between Colour and Office Design.

Traditionally offices have included uniform furniture – chairs of one type, and all the same colours. The idea that everything must match perfectly is a dated one. Colour ultimately has a significant impact on the mood and productivity of employees. Using a mix of pantones in office furniture can lift the mood of an office and its staff. Different styles, brands, finishes and fabrics of office chairs, can help create a fun office environment to work in. In a recent fit out for the Cripplegate Foundation, we used eclectic seating to liven up their breakout and tea point areas. As the client puts it:

In the beginning, we were invited to see their new office which had many features we wanted for our space. A bit of colour, a less corporate look, and a more friendly/funky place where people can feel at ease. It’s a place to share ideas, enjoy lunch, and host formal meetings. 

Creating office interiors that feel fun, friendly, and relaxing places to work can be achieved by other means too, such as artwork.

Idea #9 – Artwork in the Workplace

Artwork in the workplace has numerous positive effects. It has a powerful impact on mental health and wellbeing by creating a sense of calmness. It also improves productivity and creativity and softens the mood in an office.

Art is also a crucial part of a company’s brand identity. It forms unique elements in the workplace that gives an office an authentic feel, a sense of community and belonging. A good example of this is Clyde & Co’s art programme which allows young and upcoming artists to exhibit their work in their various office locations across London and other global offices. Each year the company holds an art auction where members of the law firm and the general public get to bid on artwork. In addition, Clyde & Co have a partnership with the Perspective Project, a social enterprise that aims to tackle the mental health stigma through art and creativity.

Idea #10: Smart Office Design

Smart office design connects people, data, and space to remove friction from everyday tasks. Start with room and desk booking, occupancy sensors and digital wayfinding. Add plug and play video bars, tidy cable routes, and power at table height so tech never gets in the way.

Use analytics to spot underused zones and peak time bottlenecks. Consolidate low demand desks and boost short stay work points along circulation. Align cleaning and FM routines to the real pattern of use rather than fixed timetables.

For landlords, a smart base layer makes floors plug and play for hybrid tenants. For occupiers, it improves experience and supports continuous optimisation. See workplace technology and smart office design for implementation roadmaps.

Build a light governance model. Nominate owners for booking rules, naming conventions and screen standards. Quarterly reviews keep the system simple and reliable over time.

Idea #11: Resimercial Design in the Workplace

Resimercial design blends residential warmth with commercial performance. Use layered lighting, tactile fabrics and timber tones. Specify contract grade frames and cleanable finishes so the look lasts.

High performing workplaces support informal learning and quick exchange. Place soft clusters near collaboration bays and tea points so people move naturally between chat, focus and short laptop work. Provide nearby surfaces and power so the setting supports real tasks rather than just looking good.

Pair with furniture that balances comfort and durability. Use a simple palette to tie settings together across the floor. Adjust densities seasonally so space stays fresh without a full refit.

Add basic care guidance for FM teams. Rotating cushions, spot cleaning schedules and fabric swatch spares keep the area looking sharp through heavy use.

Idea #12: Biophilic Office Space

Biophilic design brings nature indoors with planting, natural materials, daylight and views. Evidence shows greenery can improve concentration and perceived air quality. Small moves across many areas are more effective than a single statement planter.

Vary planting density. Use lively clusters near social settings and finer leaves near focus areas. Combine planters with timber trims, stone textures and visible grain to amplify the natural feel without overspending.

Blend planting with natural light strategies and low VOC finishes. Agree maintenance routes and watering access at design stage so FM can care for the scheme easily. See our biophilic office design guide for practical details and maintenance tips.

Measure impact simply. Track satisfaction in pulse surveys and monitor utilisation around planted zones. If people linger longer, the mix is working.

Idea #13: Touchdown Spaces

Short stay touchdown points for five to forty five minutes relieve pressure on meeting rooms and reduce fixed desk demand. Provide perch seating, obvious power and clear sightlines so availability is visible at a glance.

Place touchdown along main routes to capture incidental meetings without disturbing quiet areas. Offer a mix of leaners and two seat tables for quick laptop sprints. Keep clutter down with bag hooks and slim power trays.

With office utilisation below old peaks, dynamic layouts like these keep space productive during mid week surges. See touchdown areas and optimising office space for planning patterns.

Set light etiquette. Encourage fifteen to thirty minute norms during busy periods and signpost the nearest alternative spot when a zone is full.

Idea #14: Treehouse Pods

Treehouse pods create playful, restorative corners for reading and quick resets. They feel open and safe yet still give a sense of being tucked away.

Use soft edges, warm lighting and partial screens. Place near collaboration areas so people use them naturally between sessions rather than as a destination that needs a booking.

Our Criteo project shows how a simple pause place can lift breakout utilisation and help people switch context without a meeting room. Add gentle prompts to nudge short stays so circulation remains high.

Review after go live. If dwell time is too long, adjust lighting levels and add visual cues that suggest quick use rather than camping.

Idea #15: Bistro Style Receptions

Turn reception into a useful welcome zone with cafe tables, plug in seating and a compact servery so guests can settle and start work on arrival. It raises first impressions and adds productive capacity without new floor area.

Plan security sightlines and queue choreography before placing furniture. Keep cable routes hidden and ensure wheelchair access remains clear at all times. Use wipe clean tops and floor finishes that handle suitcases and trolleys.

Link material choices to brand identity so the welcome reads as part of the whole. See making a good first impression for layout and lighting principles.

Add simple service rituals. A water station, a visible welcome shelf and fast guest Wi Fi remove friction and set the tone for the visit.

Idea #16: Virtual Collaboration Zones

Design for hybrid by default. Plan for clear audio, camera friendly light and clean backdrops so remote participants see and hear well.

Control echo with soffit baffles and soft finishes. Set camera height to eye level and align seating to sightlines. Specify one touch join to reduce set up time.

At desks, add small baffles and USB-C docks so people can connect in seconds. Etiquette signage for booking windows and wrap up timing protects the experience for everyone.

Test real calls before launch. Tweak mic positions and lighting angles rather than relying on spec sheets alone.

Idea #17: Office Gyms and Fitness Centres

Wellbeing is a decision factor for talent. If space allows, include a compact studio for yoga, stretch or PT sessions with end of trip showers and lockers.

Where a full gym is not viable, fit a multipurpose room with fold away mats, resistance bands and a small equipment wall. Provide fresh air supply, slip resistant flooring and easy to clean finishes.

Pair design with HR led programming. Short lunchtime classes and simple booking links drive repeat use. See fitness in the workplace and workplace wellbeing for templates.

Track uptake. If sessions do not fill, adjust times to match commute patterns and school runs rather than forcing a single schedule.

Idea #18: Wine and Bar Areas

Hospitality and workplace increasingly overlap. Discreet bar areas enable in house events and client hosting without the logistics of moving offsite.

Plan acoustics and licensing early. Use robust, easy clean surfaces and under counter refrigeration. Provide concealed storage for glassware and simple waste routes so resets are fast.

Integrate with tea point design so daytime service stays seamless. A modular back bar lets spaces switch from coffee to cocktails with minimal changeover.

Add a light operating plan. Name who opens, who closes, and where stock lives. Clear roles keep the area tidy and safe.

Idea #19: Statement Ceilings

Use ceilings to define character and control sound. Slatted timber, coloured coffers and baffles can zone collaboration, guide movement and reduce reverberation.

Layer lighting inside the feature so you can shift from focus to social modes with one scene change. Tie colours back to your colour strategy and finishes below for a consistent read.

In CAT A space, target key spines and collaboration bays rather than overlaying everything. This approach lifts identity while keeping costs and disruption down.

Detail access for maintenance. Removable panels and clear cable trays prevent later damage when teams need to reach services.

Idea #20: Acoustic Comfort

Sound quality drives concentration and satisfaction. Treat room isolation, reverberation control and background masking where appropriate.

Combine fabric panels, curtains and upholstered furniture to bring reverb down. Avoid glass on glass reflections. Use seals on doors and close gaps at partitions to stop sound leakage.

Our OSRL meeting suite shows how layered materials deliver clarity without losing transparency. For principles and quick wins, see understanding workplace acoustics and reducing noise levels.

Set norms that support the build. Mark quiet zones on plans, post phone booth timing, and provide soft trays for keyboards in open areas.

Idea #21: Technology Walls

Make critical information visible and interactive. Tech walls centralise live dashboards, creative work and incident views so teams align quickly.

Use large format displays, wireless casting and lockable device storage. Keep a standing zone in front for huddles and provide a nearby shelf for laptops and clickers.

Pair the wall with adjacent collaboration zones. This turns passive dashboards into active decisions and reduces meeting drag. See workplace technology for AV and cable management guidance.

Document a reset checklist. Inputs, audio level, screen brightness and last used source should be obvious so anyone can run a session confidently.

Idea #22: Relax and Recharge Areas

Create low stimulus spaces for quick resets. Provide soft seating, warm lamps and device charging slightly back from main routes so the setting feels calm.

Keep these areas visible enough for psychological safety but screened from heavy traffic. Offer small side tables for short email checks without turning the corner into a long stay workstation.

Pair with light programming such as guided breathwork prompts or screen free minutes in internal comms. See mindfulness in the workplace and workplace wellbeing for ideas.

Review usage after a month. If the zone is too busy, add subtle acoustic panels or move it slightly off the main spine to restore calm.

Idea #23: Integrated Client Hosting Spaces

Client hosting is part of brand experience. A lounge next to meeting rooms reduces switching time between pitches, workshops and informal catch ups.

Add a small prep pantry so refreshments appear on cue without a tray crossing the floor. Provide concealed storage for glassware, collateral and AV spares so the suite stays composed.

Connect the suite to the main arrival route for effortless navigation. Landlords can pre fit these to attract professional services tenants. Occupiers can phase fit as usage grows. Explore services for landlords and our planning and design approach.

Capture feedback from hosts after events. Small changes to power locations, coat storage and lighting scenes can transform hosting quality.

Idea #24: Focus Pods and Phone Booths

Provide instant, bookable privacy for calls and deep work. Place booths just off the main workspace so people can step in quickly without walking the whole floor.

Ventilation, glare free lighting and ergonomic perches drive utilisation. Add modesty bands at eye level so users feel screened while remaining visible for safety.

Balance open pods for quick bursts with enclosed booths for calls. Simple thirty to forty five minute booking norms keep flow moving at busy times.

Audit after go live. If booths become overflow offices, adjust rules and add alternative quiet seats nearby so calls do not block focused work.

Idea #25: Work Meets Social Club

Create a flexible central hub that shifts from cafe style workspace by day to talks, receptions and team socials by late afternoon. Layered lighting, integrated AV and durable finishes make the switch effortless.

Place the hub on the main spine so it becomes the natural place to gather. Use mixed seat heights and mobile furniture so capacity can rise fast for events without heavy lifting.

We align these hubs with flexible workspace planning and cues from our office design ideas library. For delivery, our fit out and design teams coordinate the operational detail so the space performs from day one.

Add a simple event kit. Cable covers, clip on lights and spare microphones let teams run polished sessions without calling facilities every time.