Offering Freedom and Flexibility with the Dynamic Office Design

Dynamic Office Design SitOnIt Seating Quiz Chairs

We are seeing something unprecedented in the office—the freedom to choose.  With the dynamic office, employees can enjoy office flexibility, fluid workspaces and a work/life balance they didn’t have before.

A Change in Office Culture and Design

As we say goodbye to 2023 and ring in a new year, we’re seeing profound changes in the office that delivers more of a balance between the needs and wants of the company and those of the employees. Productivity and efficiency remains the goal, but now companies are taking more initiative to be considerate of employee wellbeing and satisfaction when designing the spaces in which they work in.

Why? 


Photo: Friant Novo Workstation

Recent years of the pandemic aftermath showed us that less rigid work schedules and flexible hours are not only a viable option for many — but possibly the best solution. A contradiction to the traditional work model, post-pandemic times reveal that people don’t necessarily have to be in the office all the time in order to do their best work. According to research conducted by the International Workplace Group, a company dedicated to helping others embrace hybrid working, working in their preferred spaces and having flexible work schedules even increased employees’ productivity. 

So how does this progressive work-style change the landscape of our modern office spaces? A lot.

From Traditional to Dynamic

Conventional 9-to-5 hours and 5-day work schedules have in the past shaped our offices to be the traditional workspaces we’ve come to know.  This relatively regimented work culture was very much reflected in the way offices were designed. 

Before, a company would have specific rooms for very specific purposes.  Guests were welcomed entering through a formal reception and sitting area.  There would be one or two main conference rooms that everyone would need to schedule to use.  Desks and workstations were strictly only in designated work spaces.  Usually, there was one appointed training or multi-purpose room. And all employees took their breaks inside the company lounge or break room.


Photo: Scale 1to1 G Series Workstation and Lounge is perfect for the Dynamic Office

In dramatic contrast, the offices we’re seeing today are much different.  They’re being designed and furnished as self-sustaining “neighborhoods” if you will, working more fluidly and organically to not just optimize worker productivity, but better serve employees via an office experience they never had before. 

This is the Dynamic Office.  And we’re going to see a lot more of it.

A Closer Look at the Dynamic Office

What is a dynamic office? A dynamic office is designed to be intuitive to the employee’s natural way of working, offering them choice, flexibility and freedom in choosing the environments that cultivate their productivity and bring out their best work. It’s multi-faceted and multi-purpose.  It provides workers various types of settings to concentrate and work in; connect and collaborate with others; and thrive as modern professionals. 


Photo: Snowsound Snowpouf Sound Absorbing Chair

The idea behind the dynamic office meaning is to spark enthusiasm and engagement by accommodating employees in the ways they live and work today.  A combination of private, semi-private and open spaces, dynamic offices consist of various functioning environments that can facilitate different types of activities.

Private offices can double as a space for focused work, as well as impromptu meetings or one-on-one trainings.  Mobile workstations nested together are ideal for team projects, but can also be separated and sectioned off for individuals needing to concentrate.  Work-pods and private booths may also be used for focused work, especially as touch-down stations for those on-the-go or on hybrid schedules.  But they can also be used for smaller groups to meet, share ideas and collaborate.  Formal conference rooms can double as training rooms, and training rooms as employee breakrooms with kitchens.  The office reception area may also be used as an employee lounge, touchdown area or training room. 


Photo: Scandinavian Spaces Deli Chairs

Dynamic offices are designed to be flexible, adaptable and reconfigurable.  They’re meant to accommodate multiple work styles, interactions and schedules. But most importantly, they’re designed with the employees’ wellbeing and satisfaction in mind.

The Dynamic Office for Hybrid Work

HON Office Furniture said it best: “[We need to shift] into a hybrid way of thinking about our environments.” Hybrid work is ongoing and is definitely here to stay.

To many, splitting time between being in the office and out is the healthiest equilibrium we’ve seen in the workplace since the office was a concept. That’s why hybrid work is in the heart of the dynamic office design.  It provides flexibility for employees to choose the most effective way for them to work and enables a healthy work/life balance that not only accommodates diverse work styles, but for some, optimizes productivity and efficiency.

Hybrid work also has the side effect and benefit of downsizing office spaces. Since less people have to come in on a daily basis, companies don’t need to invest in or lease huge buildings for office space any more, helping them save money. This is why the dynamic office works so well, being able to accommodate multiple types of work styles in multiple types of adaptable and reconfigurable settings. It’s a leaner approach to office space management, and smarter way for companies to downsize and save on capital. 

The Dynamic Office for Hot-Desking

A particular strength of the dynamic office is its inherent ability to accommodate hot-desking. Hot-desking has been around for many decades, mostly to accommodate freelance or contract workers, but is now even more popular with the surge of hybrid work.  It’s an office organization system where workers do not have their own individual workstations anymore.  Instead they choose where and how they want to work from available desks, tables and workstations within the designated rooms and common areas that day.

Hot-desking also carries the key characterization of employee autonomy. It’s one of the many benefits, along with improved collaboration and better employee relationships, as hot-desking gives people the opportunity to work alongside coworkers they may not see otherwise.


Photo: Arcadia TOOaPICNIC Work-pod

Making Your Office Dynamic

How do you design and create a dynamic office?  Implement ergonomically flexible furniture, office accessories and technology to your workspaces so that they can adapt to different work styles. They should ideally be modular, portable and easy to set up. 

Think Global River Lounge or Rouillard Block seating to configure various lounge arrangements in your reception or lounge area.  Add DARRAN Bota, Encore Particles or OFS Strap pull up tables for people who want to work on their tablets or laptops. Lounge areas are infinitely versatile and can be repurposed into a cafeteria or training room with mobile tables like the AMQ Concur tables. 


Photo: AMQ Concur Training Tables

Scandinavian Spaces Deli seating is the perfect dynamic office chair, with its casters and stackability for ease-of-use and storage.  For other environments, you can set up private or semi-private workspaces with Arcadia’s Co-op work-booths or OFS Heya Lounge seating.  Carve out quiet spaces using architectural walls like Loftwall Rooms Wall System and Trendway Clear Wall.  Sound-absorbing technology from Snowsound optimizes acoustics and help to dampen noise to facilitate focused work and concentration.

Photo: Arcadia TOOtheLOUNGE Seating & Work-pods

Work-pods are great for spontaneous meetings and for people to collaborate, such as Arcadia’s TOOtheLOUNGE or TOOaPICNIC.  For workstations, the Scale 1:1 G Series Workstation is an excellent work-desk/lounge solution that encourages connectivity and sharing of ideas.  And Global Terina or Global Bungee tables are great for nesting together for team work or breaking apart for individual work.

A Dynamic Office That’s Works for You

The dynamic office gives freedom, stability and choice back to the employees. It is a stark contrast to the past, when office spaces mirrored a work culture that was more rigid and regimented.  But as people, we have always been dynamic. And now there’s finally an office design that reflects human nature and is a wellspring of innovation and creativity. 

Thank you dynamic office.  We’re glad to finally have you.

We’re Here to Help

Ready to change up your office space? If you’re looking to make your workspace more dynamic, 2010 Office Furniture can help. With over 50 years of combined expert experience in commercial office furniture and space planning, we’re one of the top design and retail providers to some of Southern Californias most recognizable corporations, universities, non-profits and more.

2010 Office Furniture can show you how to optimize your office space and provide a dynamic office experience to help keep your employees engaged and happy.  Contact us today with any questions and let us know of your potential project needs.

Read Also: 2024 Office Trends to Create an Engaging Office Environment
Main Photo: SitOnIt Qwiz Collaboration & Training Seating
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: AMQ, Arcadia, Friant, Scale 1to1, Scandinavian Spaces, SitOnIt Seating & Snowsound

Equipping Employees for Both the Corporate Office and Home Office

Equipping Employees for Both the Corporate Office and Home Office

Today’s corporate and home office environments will remain dramatically changed in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Are you seeing it in your work setting?

Expect a hybrid trend to continue. Employees will work up to a few days each week in the corporate setting and then put in the remaining hours each week at a home office or other remote location.

Savvy executives and office managers will plan and design their spaces so employees will be properly equipped at home and in the work setting.

Read on to see how you can create spaces that are productive and also meet expectations for workers and the company.

Why Employees Want to Work at Home

Surveys shows that office workers have a lot of practical reasons for working remotely at home or another location.

Reason 1: Plenty of quality furnishings are available for home offices like height adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs and accessories to create a professional setting.

Reason 2: They don’t face stressful commutes and they save money by not going to the office. You know the stories of what it’s like battling traffic every morning and late afternoons on freeways like the 405 through West LA and the 210 into Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley.

The people surveyed estimate that savings in gas and other personal expenses saves them up to $ 5,000 a year.

Reason 3: Concerns about Covid—and this comes in a distant third.


Photo: OFS Aptos Private Office

Here’s a breakdown from a survey of 2,000 adults that Flexjobs, an employment agency, did in April 2021:

  • 84% of people didn’t want a daily commute
  • 75% personally saved money
  • 32% still had Covid concerns
  • 26% enjoyed being closer to their pets and home responsibilities
  • 15% said a home office made childcare easier

Another reason workers like their home office is they don’t have to wear face coverings. Physical distancing and mask requirements are easing up in California beginning mid-June. But according to updated guidelines from the state’s department of public health, masks are supposed to be worn in indoor settings:

“In indoor settings outside of one’s home, including public transportation, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status…”

Exceptions are made for people working alone in a closed room or office.

The on-going regulations may sway people to work from home.

What CEOs Want for the Corporate Office

Not surprisingly, CEOs and other executives surveyed wanted their people at corporate workstations, although they understood that workers got used to remote locations. In a survey conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers in January 2021, most corporate leaders agreed that a hybrid office model can work.

Here’s the breakdown of how many days the CEOs want their employees to spend in the office:

  • 5 days a week—21%
  • 4 days a week—18%
  • 3 days a week—29%
  • 2 days a week—15%
  • 1 day a week— 5%
  • Only 1 – 3 days monthly—6%

The most pressing concern for executives was keeping their teams aligned with company culture. Too many days spent working remotely would lead to drifting and a loose association with the company’s goals and values.

Companies can attract employees by offering quality settings that can’t be duplicated remotely. The other draw of a corporate setting is the social interaction. Make the office a positive place to be.


Photo: HON WestHill Lounge

The Power of the Flexible Office

A property management authority was commenting on commercial office leases in Long Beach and remarked “that a lot of tenants that don’t really know what the world looks like — don’t have a good grasp of, once we’re out of this pandemic, what their office space needs are going to look like.”

Products made for a flexible workspace design are more important than ever.

If you need more workstations, or fewer, then consider solutions like the DeskMakers TeamWorx Open Plan Desking. It’s easy to configure and comes with many different privacy options.


Photo: Deskmakers Teamworx Workstation

The Attraction of Ambiance in the Office

A popular office trend in workspace environments is known as Resimercial, which means combining the best of a home office and residential setting with the durability and demands of a commercial space.

The lines between work and home are more blurred than ever.

It’s acceptable for office lounges to look like living rooms when they’re properly furnished and arranged well.

You can also create an upbeat office setting where people want to be. Use primary colors and furniture with clean lines. Triangular shapes and circles add depth and intrigue.


Photo: Arcadia Contract Domo Benches

Add plenty of indoor plants to bring in the best of nature and make sure a maximum amount of natural light is flowing into the space.

The Support of the Healthy Office

Show employees that they’re safe and well-protected with mobile glass screens and an array of space dividers. Private and semi-private office cubicles are useful for distancing while still offering a sense of collaboration.


Photo: HON Ignition Chair

Get the Ideas You Need for the Corporate Office and Home Office

Smart space planning is essential to laying out an office setting for maximum productivity and employee engagement. The team at 2010 Office Furniture has over 50 years of combined experience working with office managers and executives at the most distinguished companies in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

Contact them with your project needs and questions.

Read Also: How to Help Protect Workers in Open Office Floor Plans from Covid-19
Main Photo: Arcadia Contract Avelina Table
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Arcadia Contract, Deskmakers,HON & OFS

(IMPORTANT NOTICE: The recommendations on this article are NOT from health experts, and have not been medically tested nor proven as an effective cure or prevention for COVID-19 or any other diseases.)