6 Office Trends That Might Not
Survive 2023

The world of work is constantly developing, and it’s not just technology driving the change. The way we work and the spaces in which we work are also evolving. As we look ahead to 2023, a few office trends may not survive next year. Here are six office trends that might not make it to 2024:

Reception Desks

With more and more company interactions going virtual, the need for a formal reception desk to greet clients becomes less critical. As a result, we may see fewer and fewer companies investing in large reception desks and lobbies and instead creating social meeting places with hospitality amenities at the entrance. (Photos from LinkedIn & Gensler)

LinkedIn Omaha. Photo by Jason O'Rear via Gensler

Gensler 222 Second Street Office Tower, San Francisco. Photo by Connie Zhou

LinkedIn's new hybrid plan

Cubicles

Cubicles have long been a staple of office life, but they’re becoming less popular as more and more companies embrace flexible spaces. With the rise of hybrid work, the need for fixed, permanent cubicles dedicated to each employee has declined. Desk hoteling, mobile, and flexible desking have become the trend.

Filing rooms full of file cabinets

With the rise of digital storage, filing rooms are becoming a thing of the past. As more and more companies move towards cloud-based storage, the need for physical filing cabinets will likely decrease. To address people working from home or the “Work From Anywhere” mindset, cloud file storage are a requirement, not a nice to have feature for the workplace. With the rise of digital storage, filing rooms are becoming a thing of the past. As more and more companies move towards cloud-based storage, the need for local filing cabinets will likely decrease and a central archival library might be the only place the 5-drawer fie cabinet can be found in 2024. (middle photo from forbes.com)

Sofas

Sofas have become a popular addition to office spaces but may be less prevalent in 2023. Lounges that provide more individual personal space with electric hookups are replacing traditional sofas.

Open desking

Open desks only recently started replacing cubicles but may be less prevalent in 2023. With the rise of hybrid work, many people want a divider between one another to identify their personal space. Additionally, after the quietude of working from home, open desking is too distracting and noisy for most. Both are driving a shift towards more enclosed flexible spaces throughout an open floor plan.

Fabric

Conventional fabric will be less common in office spaces in 2023. Traditional fabric, such as that found on typical residential furniture, tends to be harder to clean and may not be as hygienic as other materials. Since the pandemic, companies have desired to create clean and safe spaces, so commercial furniture manufacturers have introduced materials that are easier to clean and sanitize.

These are just a few office trends that may not survive through 2023. However, as the world of work continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how office spaces in which we work adapt to the changes.