As a leading office furniture and design fair, ORGATEC showcases the newest innovations in workplace interiors and emerging trends that set the tone for how we’ll work in the coming years. Held annually in Cologne, Germany, ORGATEC attracts top designers, architects, and industry professionals from across the globe. This year, we at axxla joined the fair to uncover the latest designs and concepts reshaping office spaces as we prepare for an imminent shift: a world where most employees return to in-office work.
According to a recent global KPMG survey, 83% of CEOs expect a full return to the office within the next three years. After years of adapting to the flexibility of home offices, companies are now rethinking office design to address new demands for comfort, privacy, and collaboration. These shifts bring fresh challenges and opportunities to create engaging, sustainable, and adaptive work environments. Here’s our roundup of the standout trends from ORGATEC 2024 that we believe will shape the future of office interiors.
Acoustic Panels for Office Spaces: New Materials and Modern Styles
With bustling office environments returning, acoustic comfort is a high priority. ORGATEC showcased innovative acoustic panels crafted from unique materials and inspired by natural textures. These new designs blend form and function, providing sound control without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. Brands are moving away from the bulky, fabric-covered panels of the past and toward more sculptural, integrated designs.
Some of the latest acoustic solutions come in sustainable materials, including recycled textiles and wood. These eco-friendly panels are not only visually appealing but also contribute to a quieter workspace, which is essential for productivity and employee well-being. Designers are embracing shapes that mimic natural forms, adding visual interest while enhancing acoustics subtly yet effectively.
Organic Shapes in Office Furniture: Lounges, Tables, and Chairs
The return to the office is also bringing an emphasis on organic, welcoming designs. We saw rounded edges, curved lines, and flowing shapes featured across lounge seating, tables, and chairs. These softer forms create inviting spaces where employees can relax, collaborate, and recharge. Unlike the rigid, boxy office furniture of the past, these organic designs encourage a sense of community and fluidity in the workspace.
From modular sofas with plush curves to elegantly contoured tables, these designs prioritize comfort and ergonomics, a shift that reflects the growing focus on creating a home-like feel in corporate settings. This trend caters to employees’ needs for comfort and style as they transition back into office life.
Bright and Pastel Colors for Energized Work Environments
ORGATEC brought a refreshing change with color schemes that embrace both bold and pastel shades. These colors play a pivotal role in setting the mood of the office, with bright hues like coral, teal, and yellow adding energy and vibrancy, while pastel tones such as blush, sage, and soft blue create a calm and serene environment. The shift toward more expressive colors in office furniture and walls reflects a desire to move away from traditional neutrals, injecting personality and liveliness into workspaces.
This color trend allows designers to create distinct zones within an office—perhaps brighter areas for collaborative work and softer, pastel tones for quiet zones and personal desks. Colors are increasingly being used strategically to enhance employee focus, creativity, and well-being.
Bringing Nature into the Office: Integrated Plants and Green Design
Biophilic design is here to stay, and this year’s ORGATEC pushed it further with furniture that incorporates natural elements, like plants, into the design. From tables with integrated planters to dividers that double as green walls, these nature-inspired pieces bring the outdoors in, providing a mental boost and enhancing air quality. It’s a step toward creating healthier work environments that can reduce stress and improve employee focus.
We saw a variety of modular green walls, hanging plant fixtures, and greenery-laden shelves designed to fit seamlessly into office layouts. By integrating plants directly into furniture, designers ensure that nature is a part of the workplace’s visual and physical structure, not just an afterthought.
Flexibility with Modular Furniture
Modular furniture has gained momentum, and it was showcased in various forms at ORGATEC. As the office layout must adapt to hybrid working models, modular furniture offers the flexibility to reconfigure spaces quickly. Desks that can expand or shrink, seating that can be rearranged, and storage units that adapt to different needs make it easier to accommodate various work styles and team sizes.
Brands are emphasizing quick-connect systems and easy-to-move modules that empower teams to reconfigure their space on demand. This adaptability ensures that as needs change, the office layout can evolve seamlessly without major renovations.
Sustainable Materials: The New Standard
Sustainability was a core theme at ORGATEC this year, with an impressive lineup of eco-friendly furniture crafted from renewable or recycled materials. From reclaimed wood to upcycled metal and sustainable bioplastics, companies are prioritizing materials with low environmental impact. This shift responds to growing corporate and consumer demand for environmentally responsible solutions.
Some brands went beyond materials and explored fully closed-loop systems where furniture can be disassembled, recycled, and repurposed. This new standard reflects a commitment to sustainability, aligning with company values and employee expectations for environmentally conscious workspaces.
Retreats in Office Boxes for Privacy and Focus
As open offices evolve, the need for quiet, private spaces becomes more critical. ORGATEC showcased an impressive array of office boxes, pods, and retreats designed for focused work, private calls, or moments of quiet reflection. These self-contained units are particularly beneficial in larger office environments where noise levels can become disruptive.
From soundproof booths with ergonomic seating to smaller pods equipped with lighting and ventilation, these retreats provide an ideal blend of privacy and comfort. By incorporating these spaces into the office layout, companies can offer employees the best of both worlds: a collaborative open floor plan with designated areas for undisturbed work.
Locker Systems and Personal Storage Solutions
With the return to office spaces, locker systems have become an essential component in the modern workplace, addressing the need for secure personal storage. As more employees adopt flexible work arrangements, the demand for personalized, modular storage solutions is rising. ORGATEC showcased innovative locker systems designed to cater to these new working dynamics, offering adaptable, secure storage that is both functional and stylish.
Some locker designs incorporate digital access systems with app integration, allowing employees to reserve lockers as needed and eliminating the need for physical keys. Other models feature customizable compartments that adapt to various storage needs, from tech devices to personal items, making these lockers an ideal solution for companies that encourage desk sharing or hot-desking.
Many locker systems are also built with sustainability in mind, using materials like recycled steel or wood. These eco-friendly choices not only appeal to the environmentally conscious but also add a modern, sleek look to the office. With advanced storage options, companies can provide employees with dedicated spaces for personal belongings, enhancing security, reducing clutter, and contributing to a cleaner, more organized workspace.
Conclusion: The Future of Office Design
ORGATEC 2024 highlighted the dynamic shifts shaping modern office design, offering a glimpse into the workspace of the future. As the shift back to in-office work intensifies, designers and companies must create environments that are flexible, comfortable, and sustainable. From nature-inspired furniture to adaptable modular systems, these trends reveal a commitment to creating spaces that enhance employee well-being and productivity.
At axxla, we’re excited to incorporate these insights into our projects, helping clients build offices that reflect these latest trends. We believe that by creating engaging, comfortable spaces that align with today’s workforce expectations, businesses can create not just a workplace but a thriving environment where people are inspired to work and collaborate.
