Many businesses are switching from traditional office designs to more sustainable ones. As you already know, creating a more environmentally friendly “green work space” has numerous benefits. But it’s one thing knowing the benefits of sustainability and quite another finding workable ways to incorporate it into your office design. If you’re on the sustainability push but lack ideas about implementing it into your office design, here are some workspace design trends that may inspire you.
Using natural materials
Implementing more natural materials, fragrances, and colours into your office decor can create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere. Air fresheners, for example, are common in many workspaces. But because most artificial air fresheners are made with toxic materials, many people are switching to non-toxic alternatives that are eco-friendly, from essential oils in the office to cruelty-free in-store scenting. Other companies are switching to organic colour pallets and earthy tones that bring a touch of nature to the workspace.
Adding indoor gardens and greenery
Indoor gardens are not a thing for homes only. Many businesses are finding creative ways to incorporate natural greenery into their office interior designs. This goes beyond simply placing an indoor plant or two at different locations in your office. Adding an indoor garden to your office setup means putting more effort into creating a dedicated space in your office for different types of plants. The types of plants you can use depend on what type of indoor garden you want to create. You can even create a small indoor vegetable garden to encourage your workers to eat healthy lunch at work.
Making room for more natural lighting
Adding more natural lighting sources to your office interior may not sound like a new trend, but it’s becoming increasingly popular for many businesses. Natural lighting holds immense benefits for your business and staff health. First, natural lighting helps to increase work productivity. Secondly, it can cut down on your energy bills significantly. Plus, it’s very sustainable, as the sun is self-sustaining.
There are several ways to incorporate natural lighting into your office. And the ideal way will depend on your office layout. But regardless, there are some things to get more natural light into your office design, including removing obstructions, incorporating mirrors, creating more glass windows, etc.
Switching to 3D printed office accessories
3D printing is no longer the future; it is the present. Several businesses are taking advantage of it by switching to 3D-printed office accessories. 3D printing offers a more sustainable alternative to many office accessories. That’s because of its addictive nature: the building parts are made layer by layer. As a result, the process generates less wasted material than the subtractive forms of fabrication. Thankfully, you can use 3D printing to replace many office accessories, from simple stationary holders to adjustable laptop stands. In fact, some establishments are already using 3D printing to build structures from the ground up. Another great benefit of 3D printing is reducing supply chain carbon emissions. Perfect for any green work space.
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Pip McCormac’s informative text and Jen Haslam’s expert curation make A New Leaf invaluable to interior design lovers and those seeking inspiration on how to incorporate plants in their lives.
Photography by Shandra Oh
