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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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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How Will Generation Z Influence the Workplace?

Pictured: Kimball Narrate

It’s no surprise to learn Generation Z is the social media generation. Always on and always connected. They are early adopters of start-up tech and, unlike previous generations, have not experienced an upbringing without internet technology readily available.

How does this translate into the workplace? It’s a question business need to address because, by 2020, people born after the mid-’90s will represent 20% of the workforce.

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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.

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

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