Category
Art & Design
Oven Aesthetics
Trend cluster
Category
Flex
Office
Office workstations and spaces are made to be transforming and flexible.
5.9
Trend score
Trend
What is the Flex Office trend?
Flex Office: With both traditional and more modern "open" office plans no longer being well-suited for contemporary work habits, employers are creating or offering more flexible office designs that are able to adapt based on employees' needs of the moment. With transforming furniture and workstations, brands are aiming to find solutions to the new ways that professionals are working in-office.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Flex Office trend
The busy routines of urban professionals has led to their desire for a healthier work-life balance, which can be enabled with processes like creative or remote work. This increased focus on work-from-home or creative professional opportunities has required that consumers have flexible working environments that allow them spaces for both independent and collaborative mindsets–a shift that was first seen in the growth of the "open office" plan that grew so popular in the last decade. The current adoption of more dynamic workstations is a natural progression from the open office plan, with professionals now looking to better balance both productivity and creativity.
Trend themes
Themes within the Flex Office trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Flexible Office Designs
Employers are creating or offering more flexible office designs that are able to adapt based on employees' needs of the moment.
02
Modular Furniture Solutions
Flexible office furniture designs are in high demand for being cost-effective and adaptable, with modular solutions leading the way.
03
Non-Traditional Workstations
Flexible furniture designs that allow for customization and adjustments to be made to suit the ever-changing needs of the modern workplace are gaining prominence.
Industry implications
What the Flex Office trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Furniture Industry
The furniture industry has a major opportunity for disruptive innovation in the form of modular, customizable, and flexible office furniture designs.
For
Real Estate Industry
The real estate industry can benefit from the trend of flexible office designs, creating co-working spaces and customizable workplaces to cater to the changing needs of professionals.
For
Technology Industry
The technology industry can contribute to the trend of flexible workstations with the development of smart furniture and office tools that enhance productivity and adaptability.
Workshop question
How could your brand create a more flexible workplace design for its employees?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Flex Office
Trend score 5.9 out of 10, from popularity 77%, activity 92%, freshness 9%.
Popularity77%
Activity92%
Freshness9%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Flex Office trend
4 featured examples from Nov 18, 2017 to Sep 17, 2019CategoryArt & Design
Flexible Non-Traditional Workstations
Reddie's NCW Workstation is Simple & Customizable
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce innovative manufacturing processes to create flexible and customizable workstations with different material options.
CategoryArt & Design
Flexible Office Furniture
Steelcase's Flex Collection Supports Spontaneity and Creativity at Work
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate smart features and technologies into office furniture to enhance flexibility, mobility, and productivity.
CategoryArt & Design
DIY-Style Flexible Office Systems
SDI Debuted Its WRKkit Concept at Toronto's Interior Design Show
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Rethink traditional office furniture design and manufacturing processes to support the development of flexible and customizable workplace system…
CategoryLifestyle
Professional Transformation Co-Working Spaces
The Assemblage Nomad Has Opened in New York
Opportunities for wellness and mindfulness industries to collaborate with co-working spaces, offering services and products that enhance the well-being of professionals.
