The Art of the Workspace: High-Quality Mid-Century Modern Reproductions for the Inspired Office

High Quality Mid-Century Modern Reproductions Woodstock Janis Chairs

There is a distinct magic to an office environment that values beauty. When you walk into a workspace anchored by clean geometric lines, warm organic woods, and fluid sculptural silhouettes, it changes the entire energy of the room. It feels intentional, elevated, and timeless. This permanent allure is exactly why the design world remains completely captivated by Mid-Century Modern (MCM) aesthetics and Mid-Century Modern Reproductions. Beautiful design isn’t a temporary trend; it is a lifestyle. And for design-conscious businesses looking to curate these inspiring atmospheres, filling a layout with authenticated museum originals from the 1950s can easily exhaust an entire investment budget. 

This reality has fueled a thriving online demand for premium mid-century modern replicas, high-quality MCM reproductions, and sophisticated, look-alike contract furniture. The goal isn’t to find cheap, temporary knock-offs—it is to discover exceptionally crafted, accessible pieces that protect the artistic integrity, exact dimensions, and visual poetry of the master creators (Shop Mid-Century Modern Sale).

The Golden Era: Where Art Met Function

To truly appreciate these shapes, we have to look back at modernism’s mid-century golden era—a brilliant period stretching roughly from the late 1940s through the 1960s. Emerging from the constraints of World War II, a visionary generation of artists, architects, and industrial designers set out to completely redefine the material world. They rejected the heavy, over-ornamented, dark wood furniture of the past in favor of a philosophy that celebrated light, space, and democratization.

Legendary masters like Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, George Nelson, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, and Hans Wegner treated furniture design as an extension of fine art. They experimented with innovative manufacturing processes—molding plywood into organic curves, sculpting industrial wire into delicate wire mesh cradles, and turning cast aluminum into fluid, structural foundations.

Organic Curves + Structural Simplicity + Material Innovation = Mid-Century Modernism

Today, these creations are much more than historical artifacts; they are foundational icons of style. We constantly see them anchoring high-end cinematic sets, gracing architectural editorials, and defining luxury corporate interiors. They continue to be sought after because they possess a rare artistic balance: they are intensely functional while remaining breathtakingly beautiful.

High Quality Mid-Century Modern Reproductions Woodstock Joe Stools
Photo: Woodstock Joe Stools

Crafting the Aesthetic: The Woodstock Elevation

The primary challenge in modern sourcing is navigating a digital market saturated with residential-grade look-alikes. For an active office or a high-traffic executive suite, lightweight materials and fragile joints simply will not last. You deserve the striking beauty of mid-century design combined with the uncompromised structural density required for commercial environments (Shop Mid-Century Modern Sale).

This is where Woodstock shines. They don’t just manufacture furniture; they pay exquisite homage to historical design brilliance while utilizing premium, contract-grade materials built for longevity. Headquartered in the United States, Woodstock is a family-owned and privately held company that offers classically inspired designs for seating and tables of exceptional quality, fit, and finish.

Looking for the perfect Mid-Century Modern reproductions for the right price?  Here are five of our absolute favorite selections from the Woodstock collection, each bringing a brilliant modernist spark into the contemporary workplace:

1. The Architectural Guest Statement: From the Brno Chair to the Woodstock Arlo

  • The Original Icon:Created during the height of the early modern movement, the iconic Brno Chair completely upended interior architecture. It discarded the traditional four-legged support system, opting instead for a single, continuous, cantilevered C-shaped flat steel bar frame. Its absolute geometric purity made it an instant masterpiece for executive offices and luxury modernist pavilions.
  • The Woodstock Tribute (The Arlo Chair):The Woodstock Arlo Chair captures that magnificent cantilevered silhouette with perfect grace. Built with a hand-polished 304 stainless steel solid bar frame and a heavy internal hardwood structure, it brings a substantive, premium weight to your workspace. Wrapped in 100% top-grain leather with matching hand-stitched arm caps, the Arlo acts as a striking piece of functional sculpture in any executive lounge or conference room.

High Quality Mid-Century Modern Reproductions Woodstock Arlo Chairs
Photo: Woodstock Arlo Chairs

2. The Airy Collaborative Zone: From the Bertoia Wire Collection to The Who Series

  • The Original Icon:Renowned sculptor Harry Bertoia famously stated that his furniture designs were “mainly made of air, like sculpture—space passes right through them.” By welding industrial steel wire into delicate, diamond-shaped grid structures, he created seating that felt completely weightless while maintaining incredible structural strength.
  • The Woodstock Tribute (The Who Chairs & Stools):Woodstock’s The Who Series honors this delicate balance of art and steel. Featuring hand-welded and hand-polished chrome steel wire frames, this collection includes side chairs, expansive lounge seating, and architectural bar stools. Perfect for creative break rooms, open collaborative zones, or upscale office cafes, they bring a breezy, sophisticated energy to corporate layouts. For extended comfort, they can be styled with custom cushions upholstered in sleek Eco-leather.

High Quality Mid-Century Modern Reproductions Woodstock The Who Collection
Photo: Woodstock The Who Collection

3. The Refined Boardroom Standard: From the Eames Aluminum Group to the Classic Chair

  • The Original Icon:Introduced in the late 1950s, the Eames Aluminum Group completely revolutionized office seating. By tautly stretching a continuous panel of fabric or leather between two elegant aluminum side ribs, the design duo Charles and Ray Eames created a flexible, body-contouring suspension seat. It was a sleek, aerodynamic departure from the bulky, over-padded executive chairs of the era.
  • The Woodstock Tribute (The Classic Chair Series):If you are looking to install a premium mid-century modern look-alike in a high-profile conference space, executive suite or home office, the Woodstock Classic Chair Series is the premier choice. It features a brilliant, high-polished, triple-plated chrome frame paired with a hand-polished aluminum base. Available in both statuesque high-back and versatile mid-back management profiles, with or without arms, the Classic series utilizes ultra-durable Eco-leather seating surfaces and incorporates smooth, adjustable tilt-tension and intuitive tilt-lock mechanics.

High Quality Mid-Century Modern Reproductions Woodstock Classic Chairs
Photo: Woodstock Classic Chairs

4. The Luxurious Reception Anchor: From the Platner Collection to the Santana Tables

  • The Original Icon:Warren Platner captured the design community’s attention in the 1960s by transforming industrial steel rods into decorative fine art. By welding hundreds of curved, shimmering wires to circular steel frames, he created a unique visual moiré effect—a graceful, fluid structural form that resembles a bundled, elegant sheaf of wheat.
  • The Woodstock Tribute (The Santana Table Series):To complement open lounge seating and executive waiting areas, Woodstock introduced the Santana Table Series. Echoing the intricate vertical wire architecture of the mid-century originals, these coffee and side tables feature hand-welded steel elements supporting clean, heavy architectural tops. They add immediate geometric depth, catching the light beautifully and acting as a sophisticated anchor for corporate lobbies.

High Quality Mid-Century Modern Reproductions Woodstock Santana Tables
Photo: Woodstock Santana Tables

5. The Organic Conference Seat: From the Saarinen Executive Chair to the Melanie Chair

  • The Original Icon:Eero Saarinen was celebrated for bringing fluid, organic curves to corporate environments, seeking to design seating that perfectly embraced the natural contours of the human form. His Executive Chair Collection, featuring a distinct opening in the lower back and a beautifully molded shell, brought unparalleled physical comfort and fluid movement to high-end workspaces.
  • The Woodstock Tribute (The Melanie Chair Collection):Woodstock’s Melanie Chair Collection beautifully translates that iconic, organic fluid geometry into the high-performance modern office environment. Designed specifically for conference applications, hotel rooms and collaborative workspaces, the Melanie features an ultra-comfortable molded shell available in premium textiles or supple vinyl upholstery. Mounted to an adjustable aluminum frame, the swivel-tilt model allows your team to experience pristine mid-century design alongside the ergonomic mechanics required for the modern workday.

High Quality Mid-Century Modern Reproductions Woodstock Melanie Chairs

Photo: Woodstock Melanie Chairs

“Design is a response to social change.” — George Nelson

Secure Your Design Investment with 2010 Office Furniture

Bringing a cohesive, inspiring modernist vision to life requires more than just picking beautiful individual items. It demands thoughtful space planning, curated material coordination, and strategic budget placement — especially when incorporating Mid-Century Modern reproductions.

The entire premium mid-century modern inspired collection from Woodstock is currently available through 2010 Office Furniture at an incredible, exclusive sale discount structure. You can explore the full product and promotional breakdown by reviewing our official, downloadable Mid-Century Modern Exclusive Sale Catalog.

As one of Southern California’s largest and most prominent commercial office furniture retail dealers, 2010 Office Furniture is dedicated to transforming standard workspaces into environments that inspire. Our highly distinguished, experienced team of office furniture specialists brings decades of expertise in modern workspace aesthetics, layout design, and ergonomics. We collaborate closely with your team to design and create ideal, tailor-made office environments that perfectly balance historical beauty with commercial utility.

If you’re searching for Mid-Century Modern reproductions on sale at an attractive, affordable price — you’ve come to the right place. Connect with a design specialist at 2010 Office Furniture today, and let’s craft a workspace that truly inspires.

Read Also: Choreograph Your Space: Glide with Pantone Color of the Year2026 Cloud Dancer
Main Photo: Woodstock Janis Armless Chairs
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Woodstock Furnishings

Design Forward: NeoCon 2026 Winners Review

NeoCon 2026 Winners

The design world has officially descended upon Chicago, and the energy across the city is absolutely electric. As the commercial interiors industry gathers for its annual mid-June showcase, everyone is tracking down the biggest news of the week: which boundary-pushing concepts are walking away with the coveted Best of NeoCon 2026 Winners trophies?

For decades, NeoCon has been the ultimate proving ground for workplace innovation—a massive, fast-paced hub where the world’s leading designers converge at THE MART. However, over the past few years, the Chicago design scene has undergone a significant transformation. Today, the city’s design landscape is a vibrant tapestry of two distinct yet complementary elements: the classic floors of THE MART and the bustling, open-air energy of Fulton Market Design Days, which is celebrating its fourth remarkable year. These two spaces together form a unified, city-wide high-design ecosystem that prioritizes intuitive wellness, seamless hospitality vibes, and hyper-flexible layouts that truly resonate with people’s work preferences. This year, the official theme of the show, “Where Design Connects,” served as a powerful catalyst, bringing together people, products, and perspectives that are driving the industry forward.

The Best of NeoCon 2026 Winners

The Best of NeoCon Awards, the undisputed gold standard for industry excellence, continue to set the bar high. Hundreds of cutting-edge entries are meticulously evaluated across dozens of specialized categories. These entries are recognized with prestigious honors such as Gold, Silver, Innovation, and Business Impact designations, culminating in the coveted Best of Competition crown. In curating our personal NeoCon 2026 winners favorites this year, we went beyond the typical corporate trends to discover the absolute standouts—the pieces that seamlessly blend residential warmth with robust commercial performance.

One of the undisputed superstars of the 2026 circuit was KI. Their brilliant new Cognetic Technology completely stole the spotlight, sweeping multiple major categories and capturing the Best of Competition honors. Even better, KI seamlessly integrated this technology into their breathtaking new Kiaura Collection, a masterclass in modern design that effortlessly locked down four separate Gold Awards.

Here are our 10 favorite standout NeoCon 2026 winners that we are obsessing over right now:

Cognetic Technology by KI

BEST OF COMPETITION, GOLD & INNOVATION AWARDS / INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGY — KI just completely redefined how we interact with our surroundings. Cognetic Technology seamlessly integrates ergonomics, physiological well-being, and neurocognitive support. By fostering continuous, natural movement, it harmonizes these interconnected dimensions, enabling individuals to sit, think, feel, and engage throughout their daily routines. By securing the triple crown of Best of Competition, Gold, and the Innovation Award, KI proved that the next generation of smart office tech has officially arrived.

Kiaura Collection by KI

GOLD AWARD / LOUNGE FURNITURE COLLECTIONS, CONFERENCE SEATING, ERGONOMIC DESK & TASK SEATING, SOFAS & LOUNGE SEATING — Powered by the celebrated Cognetic tech, KI’s Kiaura Collection is a stunning triumph. This expansive, hyper-flexible workplace platform bridges the gap between plush resimercial luxury and rigorous utility, spanning task, conference, and lounge seating alongside beautifully integrated occasional tables and ottomans. Walking away with four distinct Gold Awards, Kiaura is the new benchmark for a completely cohesive environment.


Photo: KI Kiaura Collection

Rela by Stylex

SILVER AWARD / ERGONOMIC DESK & TASK SEATING — Stylex delivers an absolute masterclass in executive comfort with Rela. This task chair moves entirely away from the cold, overly mechanical plastic frames of yesteryear, opting instead for soft, tailored architectural lines and an ultra-premium textile wrap. It is a stunning reminder that ergonomic support can look incredibly beautiful, sophisticated, and perfectly at home in a high-end office suite.


Photo: Stylex Rela Chairs

Roam by DARRAN

INNOVATION AWARD / SOFAS & LOUNGE SEATING — DARRAN continues to push the envelope of fluid workspace planning with Roam. The Roam Collection, designed for intuitive collaborative workspaces and refined environments, effortlessly transitions between focused solitude and collective dialogue. It infuses residential warmth and hospitality into corporate settings, aligning with the natural flow of our modern world. Its inviting geometry and deep comfort earned it a well-deserved Innovation Award among the NeoCon 2026 winners.


Photo: DARRAN Roam Chairs

Collective Storage by HAT Collective

SILVER AWARD / STORAGE — Storage doesn’t have to be boring, and HAT Collective is proving it. Collective Storage reimagines organizational furniture as sculptural architectural elements rather than basic utility boxes. As HAT Collective’s most extensive storage offering yet, this highly modular system boasts a clean design and flexibility, creating an organized and functional space without compromising on style. It’s the perfect solution to uninspired metal filing cabinets.


Photo: HAT Collective Collective
Storage

Grove by Nucraft

SILVER AWARD / CONFERENCE TABLES — Nucraft brings exquisite craftsmanship to the hybrid meeting era with Grove. This conference table celebrates organic modernism, combining high-performance conferencing, embedded technology, and rich materials in a warm, architectural aesthetic. Built to handle modern digital connectivity without the mess, Grove completely conceals complex wiring within its structure, keeping your high-stakes presentations entirely clutter-free.


Photo: Nucraft Grove Conference Table & Credenza

Ramen Mini Wall Sconce by Koncept

SILVER AWARD / DECORATIVE SCONCES LIGHTING — Koncept brings its signature minimalist flair to ambient lighting with the Ramen Mini Wall Sconce. Designed to eliminate harsh, sterile commercial overheads, this micro-fixture casts a soft, incredibly inviting glow. Its low-profile, circular silhouette adds a gorgeous decorative touch to private phone booths, welcoming reception desks, and long corridors alike.


Photo: Koncept Ramen Mini Wall Sconces

Limousine by DARRAN

BUSINESS IMPACT AWARD / LOUNGE FURNITURE COLLECTIONS — DARRAN captures the ultimate executive vibe with Limousine, a lounge series that practically drips with luxury and sophistication. Earning the highly coveted Business Impact Award, Limousine seamlessly adapts to the natural rhythms of the modern workday, transitioning effortlessly between generous openness and protective enclosure. It establishes a micro-architectural dimmable sensory sanctuary where collaboration and deep work naturally intertwine, enabling seamless transitions from group discussions to focused solitude.


Photo: DARRAN Limousine Sofa & Chair

Reshape by AIS

BUSINESS IMPACT AWARD / ERGONOMIC DESK & TASK SEATING — Next on our NeoCon 2026 winners list is AIS’ Business Impact winner, Reshape. A chair designed with a simple yet profound concept in mind, Reshape envisions a chair that evolves in tandem with the people and organizations who utilize it. Its modular architecture, coupled with tool-less serviceability and replaceable components, empowers organizations to refresh, repair, and adapt the chair over time. This approach not only extends the product’s lifespan but also reduces waste and lowers ownership costs, all without necessitating a complete replacement.


Photo: AIS Reshape Chairs

Onda by Model No.

GOLD AWARD / COLLECTIONS FOR COLLABORATION ~ SILVER & SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS / BENCHING & FURNITURE SYSTEMS — Model No. didn’t just turn heads this year; they made a massive, eco-forward statement, landing them right in the finals for Best of Competition. Onda is a beautifully sculpted, circular-economy benching and furniture system built using the company’s proprietary, plant-based bio-resins and 3D-printing tech. Sweeping Gold, Silver, and a Sustainability Award, Onda proves that hyper-customizable, regenerative furniture can look incredibly high-end while answering the workplace’s urgent call for zero-waste design.

NeoCon 2026 Winners Wrap-Up!

Now that the bustling showrooms at THE MART and the vibrant spaces of Fulton Market have wrapped up, we are leaving Chicago feeling incredibly energized. This year’s exhibition made it crystal clear that the future of design belongs to spaces that balance invisible, cutting-edge technology with soft, hospitality-driven comfort. We are already counting down the months to see how these concepts evolve. A massive congratulations to all the brilliant NeoCon 2026 winners, listed at NeoCon’s official website —we will see you next year for NeoCon 2027!

NeoCon 2026 Dates in Review

NeoCon 2026 Registration Opened: February 3, 2026
NeoCon 2026 Convention Dates: June 8-10, 2026

Read Also: Industry Wrap-Up! NeoCon 2025 Winners Highlights
Main Photo: Concept Photo of NeoCon 2026
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: AIS, DARRAN, HAT Collective, KI Studios & Koncept, Nucraft & Stylex

Reap the Benefits of Remote Work and Corporate Office Settings

Remote work can gradually impair your well-being, say proponents of working full-time in the office. Working from a home office or other remote location eliminates a work-life balance.  But there may be benefits of remote work.

Those who support working at home say it’s not much different from working in a corporate office setting. Both can have quality furnishings that create a supportive environment.

Plus, one of the advantages of working remotely is not having a tough commute. Look at how many freeways in greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire make commuting a nail-biting endeavor.

Let’s take a look and see how to make both remote settings and in-office staffing work in your company’s favor.

What is Work-Life Balance?

Companies and consultants have touted finding a balance between one’s professional life and personal life for decades. But is a 50-50 solution realistic? If quarterly goals are looming, then work becomes the priority. If children are sick or struggling in school, then home life takes precedence.

Then there are elderly parents needing help … or pets … or the district manager making demands of employees.

What about those workers who don’t have children or spouses? What are their work-life balance needs? The pendulum is constantly in motion, swinging one way and then the other.

Let’s get a grasp on understanding work-life balance.

A work-life balance is more about having flexibility than dividing hours equally, says Chris Chancey, career expert and CEO of Amplio Recruiting in an article for Business News Daily, “How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance Daily.”

So, the solution may be more on making flexible environments where employees feel like they have a choice or comfortable options than saying working in the office or working remotely is better.  Because in truth, there benefits of remote work as well as in the corporate office.

Similar Challenges Between Remote Work and Corporate Settings

Work-life balance is an ongoing cycle, and it’s something that “we must engage in continuously as our circumstances and priorities evolve” as described in the Harvard Business Review.

Isolation

Employees who are solo entrepreneurs and who only work remotely can feel isolated, and there’s plenty of evidence that loneliness becomes a strain, as described in a USA Today write-up titled “Work From Home Leaves Americans Feeling Lonely and Isolated.”

Zoom calls don’t provide needed socialization. People are social creatures and need community.

The USA Today article, though, was looking back on life after the Covid shutdowns and pointed out that 47 million people had resigned from their jobs. So, they became unattached and lonely.

Working remotely may not feel too lonely if you’re connected to a company and you know you’re contributing to their success.

Plus, is being social always a good thing?

Socialization

Camaraderie is a benefit of being in the corporate office and tackling challenges. Coming up with solutions in a team effort leads to a sense of taking part in a victory. But people also clash, don’t they? Certain personalities can turn a productive office setting into a place to be avoided.

Too much socialization can drive a wedge between colleagues. Instead of collaboration, people will seek more personal space and privacy. That’s why the open office floor plan has become sectioned off with stylish workstations and modular lounge furniture.

If employees are totally immersed in conversations and intense working relationships at the office, do they get downtime at home? They might not, depending on the ages and needs of children and spouses.

Let’s look at ways to offer the flexibility they need.

Equipping Both Remote and Corporate Settings


Photo: OFS Yelly Chairs

Design an office environment that’s pleasant and has a unifying theme. Get ideas from the 2010 Office Furniture Inspirations page. You can see how to equip your staff that’s either full-time in the office or working remotely the majority of the time.


Photo: 9 to 5 Seating Core Chair

Provide desirable basics like ergonomic chairs, comfortable workstations that are lit well and breakrooms with an array of beverages.


Photo: OFS Heya Desk 

Support benefits for remote work by providing workers home office equipment that infuses them with a professional attitude in a personal setting.


Photo: Snowbound Pli Divider Panels

A home office may need accessories like the PLI Snowsound Divider Panels or the Loftwell Split Space Divider.


Photo: Loftwall Split Space Divider

Encourage a Flexible Lifestyle that Benefits Remote Work and Corporate Offices

Both structure and flexibility are needed for our well-being, literally, and in a scheduling capacity.

Sitting in one position for long periods of time will ultimately stress the body and can hurt our lower back and joints. Stretching every hour or so and getting up to walk briefly is necessary. The movement also keeps the blood circulating.

You need to know the personalities of your employees.

Some people want to work in one place and not move unless they’re taking a brief break. That’s how they get into a productive flow.

You can encourage others to move from their desks to another setting if that helps them. Provide lounge areas or a breakroom where people can take their laptops.


Photo: ERG International Hetfield Table

At a remote office, like home, employees may find it easy to move around, or move from their home and drive to a coffee shop and then back again, depending on the type of work they’re engaged in.

Ultimately, remind your employees that it’s their responsibility to accomplish their tasks and that where they’re working is meant to support them. If personal needs arise, try to work with them as much as possible while maintaining the structure needed to keep corporate goals on track.

Turn to the Experts

Get input on planning your office space. Find the right furnishing to reap the benefits of remote work offices as well as corporate. The team at 2010 Office Furniture has more than 50 years of experience advising clients who are Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses.

Contact 2010 Office Furniture with your questions.

Read Also: Essentials for the Corporate and Home Office Spaces
Main Photo: SitOnIt Switchback Desk
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: 9 to 5 Seating, ERG International, Loftwall, OFS, SitOnIt, Snowsound 

Go Bold in Your Office Color Schemes

Quiet beige cubicles and carpeting with off-white walls have been normal color schemes in office spaces for many years, but now trends show that bold colors are in and they can set the tone for a positive office experience.

Read on and see what colors and office designs can do for your space and brand.

What is Color?

Light bounces off or reflects off an object and we see the colors. Color is “the aspect of things caused by differing qualities of light being reflected or emitted by them” as defined by Pantone.com.

We interpret the colors and they can influence our energy levels and emotions. And those personal traits influence how well we perform our jobs.

How Colors Impact Office Moods and Well-Being

Colors add depth, and warmth, and stir up creativity—or end up creating a dull environment, depending on your color scheme.

Imagine having an office decorated all in white: walls, chairs, and cubicles. You’re lost in a sea of white. It would seem stark, strange, and even disorienting. Browns and other monotone color schemes wouldn’t work, either.

Who wants to work surrounded by gray cinder-block walls?

Now, if those gray walls had hardwood décor or splashes of magenta they could be fun.


Photo: Source International Axis Chair

On the 2010 Office Furniture Office Inspirations web page, you can compare various office settings and see how colors and furnishings establish the setting and tone so work areas can feel spacious and inviting.

In a preview of the upcoming industry trade show NeoCon in Chicago, June 2023, interior designer Pallavi Dean of Roar, a Dubai-based interior design studio, told DeZeen magazine that, “The safe beige, grey, and white walls are on their way out.”

She says bold hues and darker tones add depth to space.


Photo: Source International Scape Seating

Click on The Modern Industrial Office which uses wood, metal, and red brick. Let in plenty of light and the space can convey strength and efficiency instead of being dark and overpowering.


Photo: Source International Lore Chair

Dean also believes, “We’re leaving the haven of neutrals and stepping into a rainbow!”

Look at the Abstract Modern Office and how a range of bold colors creates a playful and energetic atmosphere.

What color patterns are right for your office?

It will depend on the ambiance you want to create, so read the listing of colors and the moods they create.

Qualities of Colors and Their Impact

As you consider color schemes, remember that every color has variations. So there isn’t just one blue or red, but there are numerous shades of light blue leading to a color like teal and darker blues.

The advice of Dean is to, “Tread with caution when you choose your shade; it can impact your mood and change your perception of the size of your space.”

A comprehensive summary is found in a timeless article in Smashing Magazine which lists:

  • Warm colors: red, yellow, and orange—think autumn leaves.
  • Cool colors: green, blue, and purple—water and night. These colors are relaxing.
  • Neutral colors: black, white, gray, brown, beige, and tan. These colors serve as backgrounds and can convey elegance. Brown offers warmth and wholesomeness.

Shades of blue may help reduce tensions, foster relaxation, and lead to greater employee output while yellows can get creative juices flowing. A 2018 article in LinkedIn’s Pulse, “The Surprising Effect of Color in the Office” says that “white is the worst color to paint the office” since it’s sterile and can “hinder productivity.”

Match Furnishings with Your Environment

Creating the best office designs and color schemes for your office has never been easier. If you want to refresh your office to reflect your brand and make your space a destination, then choose from the types of furnishings in the color patterns that work best.

For example, the DARRAN Chameleon Workspace comes in a variety of veneer, laminate, and metal finishes.


Photo: DARRAN Chameleon Workspace

It might fit with the Green Office or the Abstract Modern Office, depending on the colors you choose.


Photo: Rouillard Lead X Chair

Choose the right office color schemes of your ergonomic chairs and lounge furniture to blend in.

Leverage Color for Maximum Office Productivity


Photo: Source International Repeat Benches

You’re in control of your office space—from workstations to the colors of your breakroom. The available color combinations for a range of modular furniture give you the opportunity to make an environment that reflects your brand and sets the tone for your team.

Benefit from Office Color Schemes Experts

Plan your space and choose office color schemes for furnishings with expert input from the team at 2010 Office Furniture. They have over a half-century of experience assisting clients who are among Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses.

Contact them with your project needs and questions.

Read Also: Design Your Office Space for Residential Comfort and Professional Results
Main Photo: Stylex Dau Seating
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: DARRAN, Rouillard, Source International & Stylex

Planning Office Space for Improved Inter-Office Relationships and Greater Employee Well-Being

A well-planned office space can improve relationships in the office and boost an employee’s overall well-being. The result is a reduction in issues like absenteeism and low output. Your environment benefits both the mindset and the physical health of your team.

Think of the office as a place where healthy relationships are needed to complete tasks.

Let’s look at easy ways to refresh a design and plan space so people have a sense of connection to their work and with each other.

Plan for Daylight

Sunshine is abundant everywhere in Southern California—from Riverside and Ontario to the beaches of Los Angeles County and Orange County. Workers with plenty of sunshine enjoy higher morale during the day and are more rested when sleeping at night.

How do you harness light?

Installing light tubes is an easy way to let more daylight into otherwise darkened spaces. If the roof isn’t accessible, then get the most you can from light streaming through windows.

Minimize the use of solid partitions when possible and reduce the height of cubicle walls.

Artificial light is still necessary so use ergonomic task lighting and also use bright colors in the breakroom so it feels as airy and relaxed as possible.

An architectural and interior design firm, Bockus Payne, moved locations and designed their new office around daylight. Company executives found that the team was more likely to greet each other positively than they had before.

Their experience is described in an article on Workdesign.com, “How Physical Spaces Shape Human Relationships and Emotional Well-Being.”

Even a design firm has to learn lessons. Here’s something else they learned: keep partitions as low as possible.

Reduce the Height of Partitions

Privacy is necessary, but partitions can make someone feel like they’re working in a closet.


Photo: Loftwall Flox Room Divider

When Bockus Payne moved offices, they learned their partitions were too high and described the change:

“The new office balances separation and a completely open environment, with lower-height panels that make it easier to interact and stay connected while still allowing people to pin up personal items, calendars, and notes.”

The result is a work environment that’s friendly and vibrant. Social relationships are a major bonus when employees are collaborating and problem-solving with peers.

Use open-plan benching arrangements and cubicles that meet the needs of your team like the Maverick Apex Open Plan Desking. It’s a modular solution that can be used with just a few people or configured for a team that’s growing.


Photo: HON Concinnity Desk

Another approach is to use a model like the HON Concinnity Desk with a partition that either rests on the floor or on a desktop like the Loftwall Hitch Space Divider.

Accommodate Different Generations and Personalities

Who are your peers at work?

Your colleagues may be quite different from each other in age and personality. This can impact work habits. One person may be most comfortable with meetings around a more formal conference table, while someone else can interact much more comfortably with a cup of coffee or tea in a breakroom or lounge setting.

Different environments affect people and their abilities to communicate with each other.


Photo: DARRAN Chameleon Workspace

Don’t consider that a problem or a barrier to accomplishing tasks and getting along as a team.

Use office designs to bring out the best in each other by planning different types of spaces within a larger office setting.

Let’s say your company is a professional services firm in Irvine or in Santa Monica so you want it to look neat, orderly, and convey expertise and credibility.

But that doesn’t mean the furnishings have to be rigid.

Modular lounge furniture comes in all styles and designs so you can have traditional-looking private executive offices with desks like the Cherryman Emerald Desk. Then you can incorporate lounge areas with furniture that’s comfortable and fun to move around, like the Krug Zola Modular Lounge Seating arrangement.


Photo: Krug Zola Lounge Seating

Browse through the 2010 Office Inspirations page to see the various office designs that are showcased. See how the colors and fabrics blend to create specific office environments.


Photo: 9 to 5 Seating Lilly Office Reception Chairs

Remember that your goal is planning for positive interactions in a supportive office setting.

The Value of Experience

Get input on your project from the team at 2010 Office Furniture. They have over a combined half-century of experience working with clients in different industries. The organizations are among Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses.

2010 Office Furniture offers space planning so you can feel confident in choosing just the right furnishings.

Contact them with your questions and project needs.

Read Also: Harnessing the Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces
Main Photo: Loftwall Gravity Acoustic Divider
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: 9 to 5 Seating, DARRAN, HON,  Krug, Loftwall, Maverick

Design Your Office to Reflect Your Company’s Values and Mission for an Uplifting Experience

Plan and design your office space as an uplifting experience that shows your company’s values and conveys its mission. Take a cue from The Broad Foundation and Broad Family Offices in Los Angeles.

The famed museum named after Eli Broad got a fresh start when they moved their offices from Century City to downtown Los Angeles and the Bunker Hill area, close to the Broad museum.

The office design is a “series of curated spatial experiences,” as described on the website Office Snapshots.com.

The experience begins with the Education Library, “a warm, textured inviting social space designed to express the Foundation’s emphasis on education.”

The architecture has clean simple lines with glass for transparency and private offices with inspiring views of the Los Angeles skyline.

Design Your Office Space as an Inspiring Experience

Now maybe you’re an entrepreneurial start-up on a tight budget or a well-established for-profit or non-profit corporation wanting to refresh your office space.

Think about the experience your visitors may have as well as your employees.

What’s the first thing they see when they enter?

Likely it’s the reception area.

You can have an inviting first impression with your mission statement graphically displayed in the foyer and a reception desk that allows interaction versus one that acts as a barrier. Find one that fits with your brand, fits well into the available space, and gives the vibe that you want your customers to feel.


Photo: Krug Adesso Reception Desk

Desk solutions are versatile. The DeskMakers Overture Reception Desk makes it possible to customize the appearance using an earthen, wood outer shell or colors that are eye-catching and contrast.


Photo: Allermuir Axyl Chair

Your guest chairs can be multi-colored for a bright, cheery appearance or they can be uniform to blend in with your company’s brand palette. Compare the different tones and styles.


Photo: SitOnIt Seating Achieve Chair

The SitOnIt Seating Achieve Chair has a subtle curvature in the back and a contoured seat for ergonomic comfort.


Photo: OCI Seating Capa Chair

The OCI Seating Capa Chair and Table offers sturdy but relaxed comfort and allows for different functions. It can either serve as a lobby chair or lounge chair.


Photo: Allermuir Famiglia Chair and Lounge Seating

Make a statement with the Allermuir Famiglia Chair And Lounge Seating. It’s a unique style and offers plenty of comfort.

Why not combine a lounge feel with your lobby?

Add a stylish bookcase like the OFS Hitch Shelf and Storage which can hold books, magazines from your industry, and photo displays of your company’s achievements. Arrange the look with some plants and add a splash of nature with a maintenance-free green wall, the Nevins Bio Canvas Frame.

Planning this space is fun and shows that you value every part of your office. The reception area doesn’t have to be a throwaway space where people wait until they’re taken someplace more important.

What about your interior spaces?

How can you create a memorable experience that engages your employees and visitors, whether it be clients or vendors?

Take Clues from Your Brand

Refer to the look and feel of your website. Does it communicate trust, inspire creativity, or offer a way for users to fulfill dreams?

Look at your office in a way that’s similar to your website.

You may have very few visitors and the employees might be the only ones in the office nearly the entire time. But communicating with them reinforces that your company is valuable and they have a special place to work.

Now use those clues and visit the 2010 Office Inspiration page, where you can browse through a wide selection of office plans and designs.

Get Design Inspiration

Choose from a selection of office plans and designs that fits your company’s brand. It can be as varied as the personalities of your employees.


Photo: Stylex Trim Table

The Modern Industrial Office conveys strength. The Resimercial Office brings the most durable elements of home into the corporate environment. The Upbeat Contemporary Office shows versatile seating arrangements using modular lounge furniture and unique lounge-style seating.

Here’s another way to evaluate your needs.

Larger companies can have departments choose their own specific office design. Maybe a marketing and sales team would want the fun of splashy colors while the engineering team would choose a minimalist design or the industrial strength option.

The choices you make are based on the message you want to convey.

Bring it all together so that your office space is designed and planned for a positive experience.

Design Your Office Space as Unique as Your Brand

Designing and planning the space that meets your needs happens best with experienced input so you eliminate hunches and have confidence in the choices you make.

The team at 2010 Office Furniture has more than a combined half century of experience working with clients who are among Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses.

The 2010 Office advisors can show you how to arrange workflow, choose the right furnishings, and select the functionality and feel for your office. This way, your employees feel well-served and supported.

Contact 2010 Office Furniture with your project needs and questions.

Read Also: Plan Your Office Branding for the Employee Experience
Main Photo: Source International Scape Lounge
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Allermuir, Krug, OCI Seating, SitOnIt Seating, Source International and Stylex

Office Furnishings and Ideas for Keeping Your Employees’ Energy Levels and Moral High

When considering office furnishings, let’s first remember a few things.

Energy to power office buildings and personal energy for employees are both essential so we don’t come to a grinding halt.

Where does the energy in the office come from? That may seem obvious when the electricity is on. How about your windows?

A British start-up named Water Filled Glass is doing just that—using water-filled glass to heat and cool buildings. Their window technology uses a thin layer of water between glass panes that absorbs heat from sunlight or other sources like heat leaving a room.

The warm water pumps through pipes to cooler areas of the building or is directed into thermal storage.

It’s an innovative solution that turns everyday materials we’re familiar with and turns them into sustainable energy.

How about your people? Humans are more complex than glass.

It’s always important to design and plan your office to energize your team and reduce fatigue factors that result in conditions like brain fog or absenteeism.

Energy for your office building is important, as is energy for your company’s employees.

What will energize your team? Another way of looking at the same issue is using resources to keep your employees engaged in their work.

Start with Ergonomics

You know what happens when you have office furnishings such as a wobbly desk or a chair that doesn’t fit quite right and hurts your lower back? You’re distracted and you expend extra energy trying to stay comfortable and overcome your physical obstacles.

Ergonomics benefit workers because the equipment and surroundings are fitted to their needs and people can work more efficiently instead of expending excess energy.


Photo: Loftwall Rooms Wall System

Assess your work environment and see how the right types of quality ergonomic chairs and workstations will serve your team.


Photo: Friant Amenity Task Seating

An ergonomic chair is one that lets the user sit comfortably without strain on the elbows or knees and provides needed lower back support. A good chair will also shift easily with the user’s movements so the body isn’t confined or working against the chair.

Photo: Humanscale Diffrient Smart Chair
A good example is the Humanscale Diffrient Smart Chair that’s easy to use and adjust, including a weight-sensitive, mechanism-free recline.


Photo: SitOnIt Seating Focus Chair

The SitOnIt Seating Focus Chair has wide seat cushions and padded arms that “provides a new standard to ergonomics.”


Photo: Nucraft Alev Table

Workstations are essential and fit in any office setting.

Want a sleek and unencumbered look? The ODS Artiv Desk has a minimalistic appearance and fits into any style office, including the style known as the Scandinavian office. The ODS Artiv Desk is designed for excellent wire management. Wires are routed along the structure below the desktops using wire trays that are hooked to the aluminum beam.

Ergonomics also includes details like lighting and sound.

Maximize Sunlight

Sunlight is a big deal because getting enough of it helps people stay alert during the day so they sleep more deeply at night. Get as much light flowing through the office as possible by using translucent dividers in place of solid walls. If natural light is limited, or if your office is on a middle floor, then use the more efficient LED ergonomic lighting solutions instead of fluorescent.

Reduce eye strain with LED lights. They convert up to 95 percent of their energy and only about 5 percent is considered “wasted.” The lifespan of LED lighting can be more than double the lifespan of fluorescent lights and LED doesn’t contain potentially harmful gasses.

Looking for lighting solutions?

The best task lighting solutions are ones that direct the right amount of light where you need it most so you don’t have to squint.


Photo: Workrite Fundamentals 2 Desktop Lighting

The Humanscale Horizon 2.0 Desktop Light and the Workrite Fundamentals 2 Desktop Light are glare free and are made for long life spans.

Channel Sound

Sound is a major disrupter for people trying to concentrate and it’s one of the most common criticisms of the open office floor plans. Walls of private offices were taken down so workers could collaborate. But the problem was neighboring conversations and chatter from private phone calls and keyboards clicking away irritated employees trying to concentrate.

Earbuds and headphones were used to block out the outside world and people who were in close proximity became strangers to each other.


Photo: Loftwall Arbor Wall Panel

Accessories like sound panels and green walls help absorb sound waves. But another strategy is letting workers do their work in semi-private areas if they want or settle in lounge areas for informal meetings.

Promote Mobility

Using modular lounge furniture is a way of promoting mobility. Stretches at desks and getting up every 90 minutes to 2 hours for quick walks keeps blood circulating and is a natural way to keep a person’s energy levels up.

Why?

As WebMD explains, “Oxygen-rich blood surges through your body to your heart, muscles, and brain.” Blood provides the nutrition a body needs.

Here’s an idea. Make sure people stay hydrated. It’s another way to keep their energy up. Encourage them to get up regularly and take a long stroll to the breakroom to get water so they don’t get thirsty.

Office Furnishings for an Energy Boost

Well-planned office spaces that have the right furnishings take deliberate planning. Consult with 2010 Office Furniture on developing a space that’s right for you, whether you’re refreshing an existing office space or designing one that’s entirely new.

2010 Office Furniture’s clients are among the most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses in Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Contact the team at 2010 Office and share your project needs.

Read Also: Create an Office Wellness Plan for Optimal Thinking
Main Photo: ERG International Carlton Stools
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: ERG International, Friant, Humanscale, Loftwall, Nucraft, SitOnIt Seating and Workrite

Industry Wrap-Up! NeoCon 2025 Winners Highlights

NeoCon 2025 Winners Global Open Spaces Furniture System

The sun is shining, temperatures are warming up, and summer has officially begun.  For the commercial design industry, it can only mean one thing: NeoCon 2025 is here and everyone is obsessed about finding out who the NeoCon 2025 winners are.

NeoCon is the largest and most important annual event for designers to connect and introduce new ideas and concepts that can shape the landscape of interior design. It takes place early to mid-June for 3 days, and this time it was held from June 9-11 at THE MART in Chicago, along with other surrounding venues. The 2025 theme, Design Ahead, foreshadowed an exploration of creativity and innovation to inspire a more sustainable future. With seven awards ranging from Gold, Silver, Sustainability, Innovation, Business Impact, Best of Competition and People’s Choice Award granted to forty-three categories, here are the standouts of the NeoCon 2025 Winners!

Capisco Puls Chair by HÅG 

SUSTAINABILITY WINNER / TASK SEATING — HÅG received the Sustainability Award for the Capisco Puls chair, their latest in the Capsico lineup. Like all of their products, Capisco Puls is built with HÅG inBalance technology to ensure a dynamic sitting experience. But what makes Capisco Puls a step above the others? Their ingenious use of recycled snow plough markers that does not compromise on comfort or aesthetics.

NeoCon 2025 Winners HAG Capisco Pulse
Photo: HAG Capisco Puls Chairs & Stools

Modix System by Safco/Onsemble

BUSINESS IMPACT AWARD / BENCHING & FURNITURE SYSTEMS — Safco and Onsemble are two sister companies that shared an exhibit at this year’s NeoCon event. Onsemble’s mission statement is to promote the wonders of collaboration with their inventive products. They achieved that goal with the Modix System, a fun workstation collection created with functionality and flexibility in mind. Work how you want—Modix can adapt to any work style with their wide variety of desk and storage options. Their modern, hassle-free features are what won them the Business Impact Award, a special category even among the Best of NeoCon Awards program.

Open Spaces by Global Furniture Group

SILVER AND PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD / BENCHING &FURNITURE SYSTEMS — A winner twice over, Global Furniture Group takes NeoCon by storm with their breathtaking Open Spaces furniture system. Open Spaces is Global Furniture Group’s response to the chaos of the open office. This furniture system can curate a sense of belonging in a loud environment with their diverse options of materials and finishes, as well as their softened edges of each shape and surface. With this year’s theme emphasizing the future of design, it’s no wonder attendees voted Open Spaces as their favorite product for the People’s Choice Award.

NeoCon 2025 Winners Global Open Spaces Furniture System
Photo: Global Open Spaces Furniture System

Cogni Classroom Seating by KI

SILVER AWARD / EDUCATION SOLUTIONS — KI’s design philosophy is consumer focused. They believe that people rely on furniture to carry them through their work, learning, and life, inspiring them to create reliable solutions to modern-day problems. Cogni Classroom Seating is one of them: a comprehensive seating solution made to enhance student engagement with their elevated aesthetics and mobility features. Cogni is a multi-sensory experience. Its flexible seat and comfort ledge can adapt to every student’s unique sitting style and the patent-pending sensory surface and anti-tip heel wheel boosts engagement. Cogni isn’t just a seat—it’s a classroom essential.

NeoCon 2025 Winners KI Cogni Classroom Seating
Photo: KI Cogni Classroom Seating

Z-Bar Titan Floor Lamp by Koncept

SILVER AWARD / TASK LIGHTING — Koncept lights the way for bold designs with their Z-Bar Titan Floor Lamp. Created by Kenneth and Edmund Ng, the Z-Bar Titan Floor Lamp breaks the mold of the typical bulb-and-shade configurations with its streamlined design of three simple bars and energy efficient LEDs. The Z-Bar is a titan in its own category: it comes with a list of features such as an intuitive on/off function, a dimming option, and a 78” width and up to 84” adjustable height. 

NeoCon 2025 Winners Koncept Z-Bar Titan Floor Lamp
Photo: Koncept Z-Bar Titan Floor Lamp

Zylo + by Oxti Corporation

GOLD AND INNOVATION AWARD / TASK LIGHTING — Oxti Corporation is an emerging designer that impressed the attendees at NeoCon with their groundbreaking Zylo+ lamp. Zylo+ was made to tackle two workplace problems: lighting and disinfection. It can provide a well-lit workspace to reduce eyestrain and fatigue while keeping your desk hygienic using specific light frequencies from Biovitae’s patented technology. No wonder they won a Gold and Innovation Award; with Zylo+ the future is already here.

Central Bark by DARRAN

INNOVATION AWARD / CASELOADS — Comfort meets Productivity with DARRAN’s Central Bark. Chrissy Fehan introduces an unexpected product to the office: a dog bed. While this may be a surprising idea, there are actually many benefits of bringing a pet to work, such as reducing stress, improving work-life quality, and even enhancing work engagement. Central Bark can stand alone or be seamlessly integrated with DARRAN’s Central Park case goods line while providing your pet with a cozy haven. It’s also easy to clean with its machine washable cushion covers.

NeoCon 2025 Winners Darran Central Bark Dog Bed
Photo: DARRAN Central Bark Dog Bed

Tumble by KFI Studios

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD / OCCASIONAL TABLES — Tumble is KFI Studios’ newest sustainability-driven design. Crafted from shredded and compressed textiles, Tumble has a trademark flecked surface that makes each piece one-of-a-kind. Its organic look is further enhanced by a rounded wood base cutout reminiscent of the tumble-dry laundry symbol—an ode to the concept of recycled textiles. With its soft lines and curved form, KFI Studio’s Tumble is a refined take on environmentally-friendly design.

NeoCon 2025 Winners KFI Studios Tumble Tables
Photo: KFI Studios Tumble Tables

Cooee Spaces by Func.

GOLD AWARD / ACOUSTICS AND PRIVACY — In an office that’s re-embracing open spaces, things can get a little hectic. That’s where Cooee Spaces comes in. Cooee is all about defining spaces and curating new ones when you need them. Whether its breakout zones, meeting spaces or private workstations, Cooee can do it all. Their colorful and vibrant partitions elevate function and flexibility while bringing a playfulness to the space.

Bolete Armchair by Andreu World

SILVER AWARD / GUEST SEATING — Andreu World is once again a Silver Award winner in this year’s NeoCon event with their unique Bolete Armchair. Fluid and free-flowing, Bolete transforms any setting it inhabits. With its plush seat and pleated-patterned base combined with a 100% recycled thermopolymer shell, Bolete is a champion of modern and sustainable design.

NeoCon 2025 Winners in Review

Now that NeoCon has ended, we are seeing what the latest innovative solutions have to say about the future of the commercial design industry. Trends such as multi-use spaces, sustainability, and durability are still going strong, but others like inclusive design are being expanded to spaces that support emotional wellness. The 2025 theme, “Design Ahead,” signifies a forward-looking shift in perspective: present-day problems are going to be resolved with new solutions, not reused ones. NeoCon’s 2025 Winners are proof of that.

NeoCon 2025 Dates

NeoCon 2024 Registration: February 4
NeoCon 2024 Dates for Convention: June 9-11

Read Also: Highlights: This Year’s Outstanding NeoCon 2024 Winners
Main Photo: Global Open Spaces Furniture System
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: DARRAN, Global Furniture Group, HÅG, KFI Studios, KI Studios & Koncept

Planning and Designing Distinct Office Spaces to Motivate Employees and Boost Productivity

Planning distinct office spaces in a corporate office environment can balance the need for stability while allowing for changes in scenery. This way, employees can work within their routines without letting the familiar patterns grow stale and stifling.

An office is a place to accomplish work and tasks by interacting with others. Having distinct work areas gives people the opportunity to find the best environment suited for them at specific moments.

The types of spaces needed to offer refreshing changes are centered around categories that are transferable from one industry to another:

  • An entrance or reception area
  • Individual places to focus (a workstation or desk)
  • Gathering spaces for highly structured meetings and informal meetings
  • Breakrooms

How those specific areas are planned, designed, and furnished depends on your company’s specific needs.

Look into the variety of office environments on the 2010 Office Inspirations page to browse space utilization, furnishings, and color schemes.

Let’s look at some different types so you can see what to adapt.

A Fast-Paced Entrepreneurial Office

Some office environments are fast-paced like public relations firms in Orange County working on deadlines or production studios in Burbank churning out the next show for Netflix, Amazon, or the networks.

Close collaboration is needed when ideas are tossed around like confetti at the Rose Parade.

A few workstations clustered together may work best in this environment. Accessories like whiteboards and bookcases can define boundaries around the space, especially in an open floor plan.

Working intensely hour after hour throughout the day can become counterproductive.

Provide an area to relax in and step away by using the best modular lounge furniture. The different distinct office spaces can be right next to each other but the way they’re arranged changes an employee’s expectations and mindset.

THE WORK SETTING

The workstations may be a simple open-plan benching solution like the ODS Artiv Open Plan Benching with privacy screens. It’s easy to have rapid-fire chatter and discussions happening while developing marketing campaigns or scripts.


Photo: DeskMakers Hover Height Adjustable Table

Or someone may want to stand and use a height-adjustable desk while a colleague may prefer sitting.


Photo: DeskMakers Narrative Meeting Table

Look into the compact DeskMakers Narrative Meeting Table which is great for charting ideas.

Where do you go when ideas don’t flow and more personal time is necessary?

THE LOUNGE SETTING

Create a lounge space where people can literally take off their shoes and put their feet up.


Photo: Encore Seating Clipse Lounge

Consider the Encore Clipse Lounge Seating arrangement with a timeless look.

You can provide different spaces that are adjacent by easily shifting focus from group interactions to an individualized focus.

An Established Professional Firm

The appearance and functionality of a legal firm, educational institution, or engineering company working on a contract in Southern California should convey trust and high degrees of expertise.

The atmosphere may not have a frenetic pace like a startup but the need for utilizing different spaces still exists, especially if clients stop in for meetings.

THE WORK SETTING

Look into the Private Executive Office for both individual focus and a small team meeting space.

Stylish cubicles can offer the privacy needed for going over documents with clients or partners.


Photo: HON Accelerate Workstation


Photo: Friant System 2 Workstation 

The HON Accelerate Workstation or the Friant System 2 Workstation are easily installed and can be configured to accommodate an individual or a few people.

Use architectural walls from Trendway for conference rooms so the space feels inviting and not closed off.

Choose conference tables that elicit discussion and allow attendees to remain focused.

THE LOUNGE SETTING

What’s the best plan for a lounge area in a more subdued office setting?

The Enwork Adventure Table fits well into the design of an office with a Modern Industrial theme. This could enhance the office look and functionality where it’s located in a place like the Arts District near downtown Los Angeles.

Use the Cherryman Emerald Conference table for a classic appearance.

How about lounges?


Photo: Krug Leyton Lounge Seating

The Krug Leyton Lounge Seating offers high-class comfort. Arrange the seating with indoor office plants and floor lamps for a sense of privacy without feeling closed in.

A lounge can also be a library with an assortment of hard copy publications, a flat screen monitor, and compact tables to enjoy discussions with coffee or over lunch.

Make It Work For You

The best design for your office setting is the type where employees can interact with each other while having a place for uninterrupted work time when needed.

Plenty of options exist to equip your space that supports your brand and your company’s goals. The team at 2010 Office Furniture is available to help you plan it well.

Rely on Expertise for Designing Distinct Office Spaces

Contact the team at 2010 Office Furniture for planning your space and equipping corporate offices and remote work locations like home offices.

Get input based on more than a half-century of combined experience working with clients who are among Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses.

Read Also: Office Design Layout Best Practices
Main Photo: Global Princeton Workstation
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: DeskMaker, Encore Seating, Friant, Global, HON and Krug

Easy Guide to Calculating Space for Best Office Design Layout

Companies that operate smoothly do so not just because because goals are clearly aligned with the mission and a positive culture has been built.  They’ve been able to achieve and offer the best office design layout for their operations and employees,  Fortune magazine listed several companies in Southern California in their “Best Places to Work in 2022” roundup.

Tustin-based New American Funding was listed as the 18th best place to work in the United States. Other businesses included in the listing were the Cheesecake Factory in Calabasas, the Panda Restaurant Group out of Rosemead, and Scripps Health in San Diego.

Companies on the Fortune list are part of a certification program that includes looking at the employee experience.

How do you create a great employee experience?

You ensure that people know their purpose. They know why they’re part of a team. And they’re comfortable in their workspace which is planned effectively.

Let’s take a closer look at how planning an office design to create a great company culture can make a huge difference.

Define Spaces

Planning an office space isn’t just a matter of placing cubicles and workstations in the right places. Well-designed offices have a structure that allows for a smooth flow of information and employee collaboration.


Photo: AMQ Activ Height Adjustable Workstation

Most work gets completed at workstations, but employees who want to are encouraged to move around and work where they’re comfortable. Employees are valued for their talents and not just for following rigid protocols.

Inter-office communication is important, but spaces are also offered for privacy. Informal areas known as touchdown spaces allow for personal conversations and meetings outside of more formal or closed conference rooms.


Photo: OCI Seating Breeze Lounge Seating and Table

Touchdown spaces are created using the styles of modular lounge furniture that suit your surroundings. Add indoor plants for a green touch. This also welcomes remote workers who are coming in for meetings and gives them a place to operate from.

Let Light Flow for Best Design Office Layout

Natural light is a highly desired office perk. Sunshine flowing through the office lifts moods and helps employees maintain a healthy rhythm of waking and sleeping. Various lists show that the LA area, including Ontario in the Inland Empire, gets over 280 days of sunshine annually.


Photo: Loftwall Hitch Space Divider

To let as much light as possible spread through the office, use translucent floor-to-desk panels and dividers for desks and workstations like the Loftwell Hitch Space Divider. Ergonomic lighting solutions can pinpoint the amount of light needed and will reduce eye strain.

Apply Ergonomic Design

You want to fit your equipment to the work habits and physical needs of employees. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) defines ergonomics as “The science of adapting workstations, tools, equipment, and job techniques to be compatible with human anatomy and physiology.” The goal is to reduce the risk of stress on the body.


Photo: Global Princeton Design Workstation

Use furnishings that promote the well-being of your employees like ergonomic chairs and height-adjustable desks.

OSHA doesn’t have specific ergonomic standards, but this overview of ergonomics describes the risk factors:

  • Awkward postures, or unsupported positions that stretch physical limits, can compress nerves and irritate tendons
  • Static postures, or positions that a worker must hold for long periods of time, can restrict blood flow and damage muscles

(Source from the Timber Products Manufacturers Association)

Fitting your employees with desks and other furnishings that support them shows that you’re investing in their well-being and it will keep them engaged in their work.

Know Your Colors to Achieve Best Design Office Layout

Bring a cohesive color design to your office using color schemes and fabrics that reflect your brand and meet the overall personalities of your employees. Choose to go bold and inspire passion with shades of red and orange, or for quiet and relaxation use shades of blue.


Photo: Senator Group Haven Pods Meeting Lounge

A creative design can use a variety of shades and colors to vary the atmosphere. See the 2010 Office Inspiration page to see the possibilities.

Some offices design their spaces using a local look and feel when possible. The offices of Google in Pittsburgh make use of a red brick interior to pay homage to the region’s industrial heritage.

We know how much urban sprawl there is from Santa Monica to Redlands, but nature is still on display. The mountains, oceans, and late afternoon sunshine offer lots of colors to incorporate into our office environments.

The Santa Monica Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena have a purple hue; the hills around Malibu and in Orange County have green and golden tones. Redlands still has orange groves and the Chino and Chino Hills area still has farmland, so tap into this dimension.

Incorporating local elements into your colors and overall office design gives your employees a sense of continuity. They’re not shutting the door on one place to enter another world but are blending the environments in a pleasing way.

Stay Flexible

Flexibility remains key to retaining top talent and making the corporate office a desirable place to work. Be flexible in different ways. Allow your team to take their laptops and phones away from their workstations and go to lounges if they decide they can work better there.

And if they stay at their desks, then encourage your employees to stretch once an hour and get up for a brief walk every couple of hours. Movement helps the blood circulate throughout the body and to the brain. This reduces foggy thinking and aids in clarity throughout the day.

Flexibility also means accommodating remote employees who split time between their home office and the corporate office. Have dedicated space for teleconferencing by using architectural walls like the OFS Obeya Architectural Structure.

Involve them on the inside, too. Ask members of your remote team to come into the office and lead meetings when appropriate. This way, they’re involved internally and feel as engaged as someone coming in full-time.

Plan for a Great Office Environment

Looking for help and guidance to create the beast office design layout? Contact the team at 2010 Office Furniture on planning your floor space and choosing the furnishings that are right for your employees.

Tap into more than a half-century of combined professional experience that 2010 Office Furniture has earned in assisting clients who are recognized as Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses.

Read Also: Easy Guide to Calculating Space for Best Office Layout
Main Photo: Senator Group Mote Workstation
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: AMQ, Global, Loftwall, OCI Seating, Senator