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Sleek and sophisticated furniture is here to stay, and we’re not just talking about in your home. Due to its attractive look, modern furnishings are only gaining in popularity in offices all over the world. Modern office design creates an air of professionalism through minimalism, focusing on thin profiles and mixed materials. It’s a fashion statement that can be seen in every corner of an office, no matter how large or small the business may be. Here are some of the ways we’ve seen modern office furniture implemented in recent years.

modern office furniture trends

In a private office. Whether you’re working in a large corporate corner office or a small space in your home, you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a modern collection for your private workspace. One common trend is mixing materials, which most often comes in the form of furniture with both wood grain and metal elements. Because most modern office collections feature table desks with a slim outline, you may want to consider adding a modesty panel to your main work surface. When it comes to filing and storage, consider display cabinets and bookshelves for a more airy, open look, and go with cabinetry that has sleek metal drawer and door pulls. If it’s convenient filing you need, try adding one or two mobile pedestal to your workspace that can be pulled nearby when needed and pushed away when not.

modern office furniture trends

In a waiting room. Although modern style is most often associated with minimalism, there are other ways to incorporate the trend as well, including using bright and bold colors in unexpected ways. Whether it’s in your décor, your wall paint or your seating, bringing pops of color into the space will give it an interesting look, making it look homey yet professional. You can also bring in a modern sort of appeal with the addition of a sleek reception desk that will draw immediate attention. A large wood and metal receptionist desk will give off a striking look and leave a lasting impression on guests.

modern office furniture trends

In a training room. When it comes to the training room, less is more, and that’s what makes modern furniture such a great pick for this type of business setting. Choose training room tables that are lightweight and easy to move around the space, since you’re likely to want to use different configurations based on the occupancy and topics at hand on any given day. A sleek profile consisting of a basic work surface and metal base will not only make your training room look better, but it will also make it a more functional place to work.

modern office furniture trends

In a conference room. In the conference room, you want to create a professional look while leaving a positive impression on guests to your office. A neutral colored or glass top conference table with a slim, simple base will help make the room appear larger, and it will also give off that crisp, clean appearance that you want in a business setting. Add comfortable yet stylish office chairs to the mix to complete the look and feel of the space.

modern office furniture trends

In a breakroom. Designing a breakroom that employees actually want to be in will help boost morale and improve the likelihood of collaborative efforts within your business. Simple tables with metallic bases and easy to clean laminate tops pair beautifully with comfortable modern chairs and stools. Remember, creating a look you love is important, but comfort is key.

 

Need help finding office furniture that works? Call our furniture experts today at (800) 558-1010 or shop our full selection of modern furniture here.

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How to Design a Modern Waiting Room

Designing a modern waiting room can be daunting, no matter how small or large your space may be. After all, your reception area is often the first image guests will have of your organization, so making a positive impression in this room is vital. Here’s what you should add to your space if you want to achieve a truly modern look in your lobby.

Sleek and Simple Guest Seating

Make sure that your guest chairs aren’t too big or bulky. Traditional sofas and lounge chairs take up a lot of space in a room—instead, go with chairs with seats raised from the floor. This will give off a more modern appearance and even help make your waiting room appear larger. You can kick the style up a notch by choosing chairs with a metal framework.

Occasional Tables That Match Your Guest Seating

Match your tables to your guest chairs for a collected, well-coordinated appeal. Glass top tables give off an especially sleek and simple look, delivering the functionality of coffee and end tables without the bulky design elements that many traditional options tend to feature.

Statement Reception Desk

Because it’s likely the first thing visitors see when they enter your office, the reception desk should be the statement piece of your waiting room. Choose something large enough for staff to work comfortably, but make sure it’s proportionately sized to fit the space in your lobby. Additionally, you should select a desk with a transaction counter that will make it easy for guests to fill out paperwork while standing. You may also want to consider reception desks with ADA-compliant surfaces that can accommodate users in wheelchairs.

A Comfortable yet Stylish Receptionist Chair

It is far more important for your receptionists to be comfortable while they work than for you to equip them with chairs that look good, but it’s usually not too difficult to find task seating that accomplishes both of these feats. Select an ergonomic chair with multiple adjustments that can be easily switched up to accommodate different employees as shifts change throughout the day. This ensures your staff is comfortable while working since you can’t expect good work from uncomfortable employees. When it comes to the style factor, you may want to choose an ergonomic chair in sleek mesh or leather upholstery. Additionally, a chair with a white or chrome framework will be much more visually exciting than a chair that’s basic black.

Simple Artwork

Blank walls don’t make much of an impression, so dress them up in just the right way. Remember, less is more. You’ll want to make sure not to go overboard with your décor choices. Try adding framed or canvas artwork in a neutral or minimal color palette.

Functional but Interesting Coat Racks

You’ll need a place for guests to hang their coats and hats when they enter, so why not make that area just as stylish as the rest of the room? Coat racks in a modern style look great whether they’re being used or not.

An Elegant Floor Lamp

Even the most beautiful room is nothing without good lighting. Illuminate your reception area with a chrome or satin nickel floor lamp to light up the space. You can even use matching table lamps in the room for a well-coordinated look.

Cozy Accent Pillows

Adding pillows to the space will make your reception area feel a little more like home, which is often a welcoming feature for guests. This is also an excellent opportunity to bring in some color, which you may want to match to your wall art if possible.

 

Mid Century Modern Decorating for a Mad Men Inspired Office

So, you want a mid-century modern office reminiscent of Don Draper’s private workspace. We don’t blame you! The popularity of this style has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years due to the rise of the hit TV show Mad Men. Also, what once was old always becomes new again at some point or another. If you’re interested in getting this look for your office, read on to find out how to do it.

Furniture Reminiscent of the 1950s and ‘60s

When choosing office furniture in your workspace, go for something that looks retro but sophisticated. Think solid wood desks, chairs with angled legs, and furnishings with funky silhouettes. Many mid-century-inspired pieces that are manufactured today blend 1960s style with modern aesthetics. For example, desks with angled wood legs but a white high-gloss top are commonly found in modern-day mid-century workspaces.

Wall Art That Makes a Statement

More is more when it comes to wall art! Go for loud and in-your-face pieces with bright colors and bold patterns that shout at you from across the room. Mid-century modern décor is all about beauty blended with a ton of fun, and the best way to add that fun is via the accent pieces in the room.

Clocks That Tell More Than the Time

Mid-century style takes pieces that are meant to serve a functional purpose and turns them into works of art. A clock is much more than a clock when you add solid wood sunburst panels and funky face numbers. Clocks in this style are often the centerpieces of the room, taking a place of pride above a fireplace or, in the case of an office, above the desk.

Area Rugs and Throw Pillows That Excite

Bring on the bold! Area rugs and throw pillows are inexpensive mid-century additions that can drastically improve the look of the office. A mid-century modern rug should feature bright and bold colors in a visually interesting pattern. 

Whether you’re decking out your entire office or just adding a few pieces to make the space pop, mid-century modern decorating will help create a space you can truly be proud to work in.

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Nicole Groshek

Nicole Groshek is the social media and content coordinator for National Business Furniture. She helps employees discover the true joy in loving what they do, from working in an inspiring office to having a little fun on the job.