Designing Workplaces People Want to Work In
- Tessa Grosvenor
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Recently, I've met with several Brisbane businesses who are still facing the challenge of getting people back into the office.
Getting people back into the office has more to do with company culture, balance, and belonging than a beautifully designed fitout. However, interior design still plays a powerful role in creating spaces that people actually want to spend time in.
New generations are entering the workforce and reshaping what the traditional nine-to-five looks like. The expectation of rigid hours and fixed desks is being replaced by a focus on flexibility, wellbeing, and meaningful connection.
Here are some of my recommendations for designing an office that helps employees feel connected, comfortable, and inspired.
1. End-of-Trip Facilities with Small Luxuries
A well-designed end-of-trip space can completely change how people feel about commuting. Include thoughtful details like branded toiletries, plush towels, hair dryers/straighteners, and quality hand soaps. These small touches elevate daily routines and make the workplace feel like a place of care rather than obligation.
2. Modern Conveniences Beyond Pizza Parties or Tea and Coffee
Go further than the standard kitchenette. Consider espresso stations that cater for even the most discerning coffee lover, beer taps for Friday afternoons, dedicated parents’ rooms with comfortable lounges and refrigeration, quiet wellness spaces with yoga mats and aromatherapy diffusers, or prayer rooms with foot washing facilities and mood lighting. These inclusions show genuine respect for the diverse needs of staff. They help employees feel supported both personally and professionally.
3. Flexible Working Zones
A good workplace design offers variety. Not everyone thrives sitting at the same desk all day. Include a mix of collaboration zones, quiet focus areas, breakout lounges, and open touchdown spaces. This flexibility improves both productivity and wellbeing.
4. A Green and Calming Environment
Plants are one of the most effective and affordable design tools for improving mood, productivity, and air quality. However, they need to be real. Artificial plants do not provide the same psychological or environmental benefits. Genuine greenery connects people to nature, reduces stress, and makes a workplace feel alive. Choose low-maintenance indoor species that thrive in your lighting conditions and can be easily cared for over time.
5. Thoughtful Lighting Design
Lighting can transform an entire workplace. Move away from the traditional grid of led panels. Instead, aim for a layered approach using natural light, adjustable desk lamps, and task lighting. Give employees some control over their lighting environment to support different moods and tasks.
6. Modern Technology
Frustration with outdated technology is one of the quickest ways to make employees prefer working elsewhere. Reliable/current video conferencing and integrated digital tools make collaboration seamless and keep the team connected.
7. Proximity to Lifestyle Amenities
Location matters. Offices near gyms, cafes, restaurants, and shops make it easier for staff to balance work and life. People are far more likely to return to an office that feels connected to the local community.
8. Sophisticated Colour Palettes and Modern Furniture
A refreshed aesthetic helps signal a refreshed culture. Use sophisticated colours, quality materials, and furniture that encourages movement. Sit-to-stand desks, comfortable breakout lounges, and ergonomic seating all contribute to a more enjoyable and healthy workplace.
9. Spaces that Encourage Connection
Design meeting and social spaces that invite collaboration and casual conversation. Comfortable breakout areas, shared tables, and communal kitchens all help bring people together. The stronger the sense of connection, the easier it is to motivate people to return.
Creating a Workplace Worth Returning To
While culture drives attendance, design supports it. A thoughtfully planned workplace helps people feel proud of where they work and inspired to be part of the team.
At Edit Interiors, we specialise in commercial interior design and workplace design Brisbane businesses trust to balance functionality, flexibility, and wellbeing. Whether you are planning a new fitout or a redesign, we can help you create a workplace that attracts talent and brings your team back together.
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