A Look at the Post-Covid Workplace: Office Interior Design Tips

While more staff are allowed back to the office as of August 2021, it is understandable that some may feel uneasy when confronted with the idea of returning to an office setting. Also known as re-entry anxiety, it may cause some of your employees to find it difficult to manage and focus on tasks even though they are physically present at work. With this comes the need to rethink office design amidst Covid-19.

More than ever, it is integral for companies to make the necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable and safe work environment. With emerging trends in the new normal, consider updating your overall office design to make these spaces more desirable and retain your company’s top talent:

Top 3 Office Trends in the Post-Covid Workplace

Hot Desking

Traditionally, the office layout would include dedicated desks for each employee. However, hot desking is increasingly becoming a preferred option to complement safe distancing measures and better create workstations that are socially distant. Moreover, this also gives your staff the freedom to choose the area they feel the most productive in the office.

That being said, if you are allowing flexible work arrangements for the entire company, expect more movement around the office. With this in mind, a durable foundation of your office layout can hold up against the increased volume of foot traffic as more of your workforce return to the office. The ideal material should be strong enough not just to withstand pressure from the everyday traffic flow but also to resist the common scratches and scrapes caused by rolling chairs and other movable furniture.   

Emphasis on cleanliness

To maintain a sanitary work environment, frequent cleaning is also a must-have to protect your staff. In fact, earlier in April 2021, it was reported that there was an increase in demand for regular cleaning and maintenance of office spaces in Singapore. Besides reducing the chances of exposure, such services can eliminate dust, dirt and other allergens from your office. A well-kept floor, along with proper furniture disinfection, thus plays a critical role in office hygiene and assures your employees that they are well taken care of.

With the increased frequency on cleaning, choosing an easy to maintain flooring will lighten your cleaning load for sure. Look for vinyl flooring which are easy to maintain and upkeep so you can focus on getting your work done.

Increased comfort

While adjusting to the pandemic in Singapore, many have become accustomed to working at home, so your office design will need to have comfort and productivity as the utmost priority. Companies can better replicate the same level of comfort, starting with the type of flooring.

You can take a page from some of the recommended home office colours for increased calm and productivity. Here, earth tones are worth considering to mimic the look of nature and contribute to an overall soothing workplace. This can help your employees settle comfortably and get in the mood to perform at their best. Additionally, certain types of flooring like our Eco Protect Resilient Flooring can absorb excess background noise to create a conducive working area. 

Adapting Your Existing Office Interior

Ultimately, today’s modern worker wants clean, durable materials that can withstand daily wear and tear without looking worn down or dirty. In the current pandemic situation, your flooring material can simplify the process of cleaning and disinfecting, making it easy to keep a clean office environment in the long run.

With a greater emphasis on health and wellness at work, putting in place flooring that is not only hard-wearing but also eco-friendly can essentially foster a sense of trust in your company. In fact, clean, green and safe are described as the buzzwords of the post-pandemic office redesign. So what does that mean for your business?

On top of features like toughness and ease of maintenance, it is now vital to also look into manufacturers that offer a range of certified sustainable flooring products. Regardless of the type of business you conduct, eco-friendly and low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) flooring will reflect well on your company as it leaves a smaller carbon footprint. This type of flooring also enhances indoor air quality, further ensuring that your employees stay healthy at work. 

Especially if your office flooring is showing signs of wear and tear such as squeaking and discolouration, you might want to replace them with something more durable. Here are some examples of flooring that can fit your office space best: