Nowadays, open offices, video conferencing, and hybrid work are part and parcel of most modern workplaces. Therefore, companies need to consider how their offices are designed and furnished. Not only does a well-working office space make workers more satisfied and productive, but it also improves their physical and mental well-being.
But what exactly makes an office “modern,” and what should you consider when designing and furnishing the workplace?
Key highlights
- Modern office furniture is more than sleek designs and eye-catching colors. It also promotes office workers’ productivity and well-being with modern functionalities, such as soundproofing and embedded smart technology.
- The right choice of office design solutions enables companies to optimize the office space based on data and employee needs. Modern office furniture can also promote a distraction-free and productive work environment.
- Office noise, such as audible conversations, impairs employees’ productivity, well-being, and satisfaction at work by causing unnecessary distractions and cognitive strain.
Modern office furniture makes the workplace smarter
The furniture of a modern workplace meets current market trends while futureproofing the office space for years to come. Key attributes to focus on when designing and furnishing a contemporary workplace include shapes, sizes, colors, heights, weights, lighting, ergonomics, sound insulation, and ventilation.
Yet, to make office furniture truly modern, equip them with smart technology to gather data and optimize the workplace. Smart technology, such as occupancy sensors and analytics based on office space usage, helps companies redesign the office by rearranging unused areas and identifying which rooms or office pods are used the most.
Analytics and behavioral data enable companies to ensure office workers have available meeting rooms and optimize the office layout.
The award-winning Framery smart pods are at the forefront of changing modern office furniture. Our smart pods’ journey from the drawing board to a finished product reflects countless hours of comprehensive research and innovative product development. Equipped with smart office technology, such as workplace analytics and world-class soundproofing, Framery smart pods help you create a distraction-free and productive workplace.
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Modular office furniture futureproofs the workplace
Changing the office layout is easier said than done if all employees have their private office rooms with fixed walls. Combined with the rise of hybrid and remote work, open offices are more common than ever. This is a great advantage for companies as they have more flexibility in designing and rearranging the office space without large renovation projects. Instead, you can revamp the office space more freely when the environment is open and all furniture is portable.
But how do you provide employees with enough meeting rooms and private workspaces if the office layout is open? Our modular Framery office pods and meeting rooms are a smarter, more cost-effective and flexible alternative to fixed meeting rooms.
According to a joint study by Framery and CBRE Finland, the industry could save over 30 billion dollars between 2023 and 2030 in the USA alone by choosing office pods over constructing new meeting rooms.
Paired with actionable data about how employees use different meeting rooms and other office areas, you can relocate Framery office pods and booths to move them where needed and used the most – even amidst noisy open areas. Use the Framery Connect Sensor™ to collect usage data from every area in the office.
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Promote ergonomic and distraction-fee work
Physical well-being and employee satisfaction go hand in hand, so design the office space with workers and their needs in mind. Contemporary office furniture transforms the workplace into a versatile area supporting improved ergonomics and productive work.
Yet, there’s more to ergonomics than solely the position in which we sit in our office chair or the equipment on the desk. Although good working ergonomics concerns how employees spend their day working and the tools they use, it should also address how the office environment supports their work and reduces cognitive strain.
In addition to ventilation and lighting, the level of sound in the office can either support or greatly hinder employees’ ability to focus and, as a result, do their work effectively. In fact, research shows that there is an optimal level of background noise of 50 decibels that is not too loud nor too quiet. Sounds that are notably higher than 50 decibels or much quieter can negatively affect physiological well-being. Framery pods’ industry-leading speech level reduction of 30.3 dB makes them a perfect fit even in a busy and noisy workplace.
With embedded sound masking technology, the pods help to reduce the intelligibility of distracting speech for the entire workplace. Distribute enough Framery One Compact, Framery Four and Framery Six smart pods throughout the office to create a working environment that fosters focus, well-being and productivity.
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Modern design meets functionality
All work and no play from 9 to 5 without the ability to cool down, have a break, or huddle with colleagues hinders productivity, creativity, and employee satisfaction. The right furniture makes it possible to divide the office into separate zones, enabling different types of work, relaxation, and collaboration.
- The modern office environment is filled with noise, chatter, and distractions. The right choice and placement of furniture can stop distractions from negatively affecting the quality of work and well-being. With industry-leading soundproofing, Framery pods can be placed even in noisy environments, such as next to workstations in an open office.
- A well-planned office enables people to choose how and where to work, depending on their preferences and the task at hand. As many choose to work from home for at least part of the week, the office should cater to hybrid workers’ needs with flexible seating arrangements and spaces for remote meetings.
- By dividing the office into zones, you can facilitate collaboration between colleagues, aid recovery during the workday, and help employees achieve a state of flow in their work. This is all the more important in an open office where audible conversations can contribute to constant distractions that hinder productivity and well-being.
Sleek design and innovative materials are only the icing on the cake. Instead, modern office furniture promotes productive work with features that ordinary desks and office chairs do not. Embedded sound masking, connectivity with workplace calendar systems for easy booking, and world-class soundproofing for speech privacy are just some stand-out features of contemporary office furniture.
Placement of office furniture
The placement of office furniture is vital for achieving its benefits to the fullest. Start by taking into account the varying needs of your employees. Consider different areas of the entire workspace and think about what kind of specific requirements they have.
Where are the focus areas? Where do people like to perform collaborative tasks? What about a more relaxed lounge area? Office buildings and spaces come in many shapes and sizes, so a cookie-cutter solution does not fit them all. Appropriate office furniture offers all workers an equal opportunity to excel at their jobs.
The work culture and the natural flow of work influence the design and placement of furniture. For example, human resource-oriented work sets different standards for furniture than administrative tasks. Varying demands of ad-hoc meetings and fluctuating noise levels at the office also set limitations to furnishing and its functional solutions.
Are you interested to learn more? Download our full Pod Placement Guide for high-performing offices.
More than just furniture
Framery’s modern office solutions are not just furniture. We provide users with a holistic experience, setting new standards for the entire industry. With extraordinary features supporting the whole spectrum of well-being, Framery pods are a necessity in a modern office.
Modern office furniture consists of smart solutions that offer benefits that traditional office equipment fails to deliver. These solutions foster creative collaboration and focused work while responding to employees’ needs and preferences.
Behind modern and functional office solutions are happy and successful work days throughout the organization. Comprehensive research is Framery’s base for successful and futureproof offices. With our forward-thinking innovations in office acoustics and smart pod technology, Framery office pods and booths transform your office into a productive workplace that employees want to return for yet another successful workday.
FAQ about modern office furniture
What is modern office furniture?
Modern office furniture refers to innovative solutions that make everyday work easier. It serves employees with numerous benefits and matches the design and style of the office seamlessly. This results in a working environment that office workers are happy to return to. Whether it’s lighting, choice of materials, embedded smart office technology, or placement of workstations, modern office furniture helps to make every workday a good one.
How can office furniture and workplace design support hybrid work?
There are a few important aspects to consider when designing a hybrid-friendly workplace. First of all, the workspaces should be flexible and adaptable to the needs of both in-person work and remote meetings. This kind of connectivity promotes collaboration in hybrid teams as they can meet together from anywhere in the office. An open-layout office should also have enough private and soundproofed meeting spaces, such as office pods and meeting booths. This way, others in the office will not be disturbed by phone calls and meetings held in the open.
How does smart technology make office furniture more functional?
Modern furniture transcends traditional office chairs, desks, and bland cubicle walls. Additional smart features, including sound masking, connectivity to booking systems, and collection of behavioral data, enable companies to improve speech privacy at the workplace and optimize the office layout to reduce unused office space.
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