Category: Articles

4 Noteworthy Trends Coming to the Workplace in 2021

divider screens BOLD Office Solutions

Pictured: Kimball Divider Screens

Coming off the heels of one of the most disruptive years in our time, 2021 is going to see plenty of change in the workplace. While remote work isn’t expected to go away, plenty of people will be returning to the office and it’s important to prepare.

According to the National Research Group, 56% of Generation Z want to return to the workplace to enjoy socializing and share ideas in person. This means businesses need to start planning now to anticipate change in 2021. These are 4 noteworthy trends coming to the workplace in 2021 

Open plan pivot

It’s no surprise businesses are scrambling to modify their open floor plan. Just as we were hitting the peak of social gatherings in the workplace, a huge pivot is required to promote social distancing. Will expect to see architectural changes with movable walls that will define smaller spaces and pathing throughout the office.

Now more than ever workplace furniture will need to be flexible and responsive. Walls and dividers that came down over the past decade will now have to go back up. Divider Screens and products like Kimball Narrate are well equipped to adapt to new workplace requirements.

Residential vibe

Although you may be sick and tired of your home office by now, expect more residential vibes at the office in 2021. Even before COVID, remote work has been shaping the office environment. We expect to see soft and plush surfaces, warm colors and seating that resembles the living room. Heather Goerzen, designer at Havenly says: “2021 is an invitation to bring more joy and cheer into your home office with a more playful and vibrant palette. Much like the rest of home design, we expect to see a rise in colorful home office accents, from bold rugs to statement chairs.”

Tech and video 

By now, we’ve all adapted to video conferencing technology as social distancing forced us into uncharted territory. Expect video to continue to be a dominating tech trend in 2021. Conference rooms and individual workstations must be outfitted with the latest technology to accommodate video conferencing needs.

IT infrastructure may also need to be reviewed in order to meet the demand. Power and connectivity requirements will need to adapt to the influx of mobile and hardwired screens and devices. Unless you’re confident in upgrading your tech yourself, we recommend bringing on an in-house IT person or partnering with a local service provider. 

Sanitization

It’s not glamorous or arguably even a trend, but sanitization will be key for workplaces in 2021. Much of what we have learned and adapted to in 2020 will follow us well into 2021. Sanitization stations will be everywhere and cleaning protocols will be streamlined and implemented across the workplace.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of changes coming in 2021. The change will come in many different forms. Create a planning committee as soon as possible to review your workplace needs in 20201. Don’t hesitate to invite a BOLD Office Solution representative to the discussion. You don’t have to face these challenges alone.

Trendway Walls – A Smart Solution for Social Distancing

Office square footage was at a premium before the Coronavirus, now it’s even more valuable with social distancing guidelines in place. Every square inch needs to be put to good use as the workforce returns to the office. How are businesses maximizing space in a time when people need to keep their distance?

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Kimball Healthcare – Where Form Meets Function

At any given time healthcare environments are subjected to some of the most chaotic workplace conditions. It’s an environment that moves at a frightening pace, but it is also an environment that is expected to offer comfort to patients in their care. Whether you are a caregiver or a patient, the healthcare environment needs to be flexible enough to meet a wide variety of needs.

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Workplace Design Trends for 2020

Attracting and retaining quality talent will always be a high priority for growing businesses. Many factors contribute to this goal, but workplace design is arguably one of the most important reasons why top-level talent decides to stick around.

We all know some trends (good and bad) survived the 80’s but office furniture clearly isn’t one of them. Old and outdated workplace design sends the wrong message to prospective talent. Here are a few new design trends for 2020 that are worth implementing in your workplace.

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Why Color in the Workplace is Important

Kimball Office Inspired

Imagine yourself sitting in a row of gray office cubicles with gray walls and gray furniture. How does that make you feel?

If you’re like most people, it probably makes you feel uninspired, maybe even a little depressed.

Fortunately, the days of Dilbert-style cubicles set in a cold and colorless office world is over. But how does color affect space? How can it be used to improve health, productivity, and happiness? Let’s explore why color in the workplace is so important.

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Hot-Desking Solves Mobility Problems

Pictured: Kimball Narrate, Kore, Xsede Height Adjust

Largely considered an experiment not too long ago, hot-desking is rapidly being adopted in the modern workplace. Open Plan brought down walls and connected core groups to work collaboratively. Hot-desking takes this philosophy even further by giving employees freedom from having a dedicated desk and workspace. 

Perfect for The Sales Team

Being in sales means you are most likely managing accounts, meeting clients and nurturing leads. Essentially, you are always on the go. When a salesperson walks into the office, they need a place to charge up, make phone calls and pluck away on the laptop for an hour. As long as the right technology is in place, a space dedicated to hot-desking is a perfect solution for employees who frequently come and go.

Less Clutter

By not having a dedicated desk, employees are less likely to have a lot of clutter. Personal effects are always nice to have, but if the workstyle is nomadic in nature, there won’t be a need for personal clutter. This also includes paperwork, unnecessary peripherals, and accessories which aren’t a requirement for a mobile workforce.

Cost-effective

If a worthy percentage of your workforce fits the hot-desking model, your business can save money by incorporating spaces dedicated to hot-desking. You’ll have less of a footprint and in today’s business environment, we all know square footage is expensive. You will have fewer components and expensive equipment to purchase. Studies suggest a business can save up to 30% by adopting a hot-desking workspace.

It’s Not For Everyone

While hot-desking is rising in popularity, it’s not a good fit for everyone. There are some obvious disadvantages to hot-desking and really depends on your work style.

People like to add a little (or a lot) of personality to their desk. With hot-desking, you can’t leave behind any personal belongings because someone else will inevitably be using the same space right after they leave. It also means chair settings, desk-heights, and other customizations can’t be guaranteed to remain intact after you leave. Sustained ergonomics are not included with hot-desking.

The idea behind hot-desking is a sound one. Why dedicate a large desk and accessories to an employee who may only need it occasionally? There are some things to consider before adopting the hot-desk trend. The best strategy is to start small. Gather your team and open the discussion. If it makes sense, you can start to incorporate hot-desking into the workplace. Be sure to contact BOLD Office solutions for any questions about hot-desking furniture and trends.

Coordinate the Look of Your Workplace with Kimball Pairings

Pictured: Pairings, Joelle, fiXt, Dock, Xsede, Helio

I think we can all agree that in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business world, a versatile workplace is essential. With careful planning and the right products, it doesn’t have to look like a yard sale of miss-matched furniture. With Kimball Pairings you get both versatility and an elegant look.

Kimball Pairings adapts to a variety of workplace conditions. It’s foolish to think everyone works the same. Pairings meet the demands of varying work styles and postures while also supporting the needs of privacy in a workplace climate accustomed to open planning.

Pairings is a simple yet elegant sofa and lounge collection that allows teams and small groups to gather in an informal space. Most lounge solutions are static and single-use, not Pairings. Create the space you need all with sacrificing comfort or access to technology.

The latest extension of the Pairings product portfolio, the Pairings Nook, provides enclosed spaces for a more private setting that supports collaboration or just casual conversation. To preview the Pairings Nook and Wood leg additions click here.

Pictured: Pairings, Joelle

What do you get when real estate shrinks and technology rapidly evolves? You get work styles which are more varied than ever. These changes present a number of challenges to workplace comfort, privacy, and productivity. With the Pairings collection, you don’t have to choose between open and closed spaces. Pairings is a simple lounge solution capable of being configured with other products and media. Made with comfort and flexibility in mind, Pairings gives you the freedom your workforce deserves.

Pictured: Pairings, Joelle and Dock

Today’s workplace needs supportive places for people to collaborate, relax and interact. Pairings offer unique applications to divide space and integrates seamlessly with other Kimball offerings. Contact BOLD Office Solutions to explore the Pairings Collection from Kimball.

The David Edwards Name is Synonymous with Quality

Pictured: David Edwards, Anora

Kimball Acquires Designer Furniture Brand, David Edwards

BOLD Office Solutions is excited to announce the new partnership between Kimball and David Edwards. This partnership means BOLD is now able to offer our clients David Edward products. David Edward is a premier designer and manufacturer of contract furniture, sold in the healthcare, corporate, education and premium hospitality markets. Continue reading →

Wellness in the workplace is a necessity


Pictured: Kimball Showroom, Atlanta

Living Walls

Do You know how you feel when you step outside into a park, the countryside or the mountains? Amazing, right? Most people feel pretty good outdoors. That’s because nature is an import part of our experience and offers a nice change of pace to the hustle and bustle of city life.

What if you could bring that amazing feeling into the workplace? The good news is, more and more businesses are adopting a wellness plan, which also means more options to accomplish this are being developed. This article provides more details environmental wall solutions that help give any space a taste of the great outdoors.

Living Green Walls Bring Nature Inside the Workplace

Behavior Wellness

Depression affects close to 15 million Americans a year (cited by The American Psychological Association). In addition, mental illness or disorders contribute to nearly $60 million dollars in expenditures, being one of the top conditions in the country.

While treating mental health conditions begins with awareness, it is largely more successful when individuals seek professional attention. The healthcare spaces created by Kimball Health products are a patients first impression when they walk into the clinic. Kimball recognizes the importance of crated spaces that are holistic, safe, and design well. Kimball’s mission continues to emphasize creative thinking and a deeper understanding of the human experience as it relates to spaces. Discover more about Kimball’s design approach to behavior wellness.

The New Behavioral Wellness

Relax in the Workplace

In our “always on, always connected” world, finding time or spaces that help us relax without interruptions are hard to find. Because of this, It’s no surprise that mindfulness is growing in mainstream markets such as healthcare environments and the workplace.

Meditation and yoga spaces are quickly being incorporated into healthcare and workplace floorplans. Corporations such as American Express and Nike have taken mindfulness training programs to their staff. Google has even started the program “Search Inside Yourself” to boost productivity and stave off burn-out.

When it comes to finding a place to relax in the workplace, it shouldn’t be difficult. When businesses and healthcare facilities adopt a well-being attitude and incorporate spaces dedicated to the practice of mindfulness and relaxation, it becomes much easier to unplug. Find out more about Kimball’s approach well-being in the workplace.  

Creating Comfort and Well-being in the workplace

Three Important Factors That Improve Workplace Productivity


Pictured: Pairings, Joelle, Narrate, Splendor, Xsede

The business world is more competitive than ever. In an environment where margins are thin and the competition is nipping at your heels, optimizing employee productivity is an essential part of doing business.

Achieving better productivity is a complicated and deeply personal endeavor. There are many ways to address this issue, but here at BOLD Office Solutions, we have identified three important factors that affect employee productivity. In this article, we will discuss how furniture, color, and creativity can make a big difference in workplace productivity.

Furniture should equal freedom

Office furniture is a key ingredient when it comes to a better productivity recipe. While the open plan is popular now, it’s important to accommodate different work styles without lumping everyone into the same layout. Studies suggest that when you give employees the ability to move around the office you are giving them a sense of freedom, which is critical to wellbeing. When they feel well, people are more productive.

Variety is the spice of life and when it comes to the workplace, this couldn’t be truer. A thoughtful and well-planned furniture arrangement should include areas to collaborate, concentrate and break away as a small team when the need arises. Ergonomic solutions need to be incorporated in every space to help keep employees in good physical and mental shape.

How color plays a role

Color plays an important but often overlooked role in workplace productivity. Every year experts weigh in on which colors will be workplace trends and it’s common to select what’s popular. However,   correlate with productivity. Considered needs to be given to color affects mood and behavior.

For instance, blue is widely known as a productivity booster. Green improves productivity for people who work long, uninterrupted hours without causing eye fatigue.Yellow stimulates creativity and gives people a sense of optimism. Your interior designer or workplace consultant will help you decide on a color pallet that will ultimately improve workplace productivity.

Foster creativity

Thoughtful interior design can have a dramatic impact on creativity. Creative thinking helps companies solve problems. When you solve your customer’s problems, you have happy customers. Happy customers ultimately benefit your businesses bottom line.

Creativity can happen anywhere, but to rely on it happening on a regular basis in the workplace is a challenge. One recent study by Dale R. Landry from the University of Nebraska explores conditions that foster creativity in the workplace. Thirty-five influencing factors were identified, but the key takeaway was that the workplace should be flexible, allowing creative thinkers to address problems in different ways, both at the individual workstation and across the workplace landscape as a whole.

Bringing it all together

The benefits of a well-planned workplace are innumerable. When you bring together smart furniture solutions and a flexible and stylish workplace, your employees are happier and more productive.

When companies want to be more innovative in today’s marketplace, they turn to overall workplace improvements for a competitive edge. Contact BOLD Office Solutions to start a discussion about improving your workplace’s productivity.

Getting Back to Work – Change Management Strategies for the Office

Pictured: Pairings & Joelle

A major workplace change is almost always predicated by growth, relocation or renovation. Whatever the reason it can be a big interruption for weeks and even months. Beyond the actual physical change that occurs, habits, emotions and cultural landscapes change as well. Change can be uncomfortable but It can also be a wonderful opportunity to bring the team back together.

If proper change management strategies are in place before a single piece of furniture is moved, it can be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Here are some proven strategies to make workplace change as painless as possible.

Brand Your Change

Set the tone by giving it a brand. By branding change, you can create a sense of purpose and meaning that your team can get behind. A successful brand represents positive emotions established by messaging, imagery and leadership. What are the motivating factors driving the change? Use these key themes to create a brand-guideline with mission statements, purpose and anticipated outcomes. When you give change a brand, it’s easier to get everyone else on board.

Manage Expectations

Don’t sugar coat change. Be as transparent as possible to better manage expectations down the road. Change can be massively disruptive especially when it reaches across multiple departments in the workplace. In order to better manage change, spend plenty of time planning the different phases of change and share those plans with everyone on the team. Set realistic expectations about small details and long-term goals.

Assign Responsibilities

Before change occurs you need to appoint a few champions of change. These individuals may be in leadership roles, but don’t overlook people who are really excited about the new workplace. It takes a positive attitude to deal with change, and if you have appointed change champions who are enthusiastic, those sentiments disseminate throughout the workplace.

There are bound to be questions and concerns both before and after workplace change. By assigning change champions you create a centralized resource center to field questions and inspire a positive outlook. This also frees up the leadership team to address high-level objectives without responding to drop-in questions or email inquiries.

Offer Support

As we mentioned earlier, change can be incredibly disruptive, both during and even after all of the desks and chairs are back into place. Creating a support system can alleviate a lot of headaches and frustrations after the change.

Let’s face it, change is scary. With proper planning, change can be a rewarding and positive experience for the entire workplace. You can’t anticipate every little misstep along the way, but by setting an optimistic tone and having systems in place to address issues when they arise, you can stay on track. Is your workplace facing change? Let us know if you have any questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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