The way we use office space has transformed dramatically in recent years. With hybrid working now the standard for many organisations, traditional workplace layouts are being re-evaluated through a more flexible, human-focused lens. Office design in 2025 is an exciting space, full of innovation, fresh thinking and a growing appetite for environments that support wellbeing, collaboration and productivity. 

From smart workplace technology to the rise of biophilic design, we’re seeing a clear shift towards spaces that feel more natural, intuitive and adaptable. Here are some of the key office design trends we’ve seen emerge over the past 12 months.

1. Fluidity and flexibility


Many businesses are turning away from the one desk per employee approach, which means they have more space to play with. With clever design, a large open plan space can serve many functions. Light catering facilities can make it a staff cafeteria during the day that can easily be converted into a smart entertaining space in the evening. Soft furnishings, partitions and mobile biophilic displays can be used to break down a larger space to create chill-out zones, breakfast bars for stand-up meetings or one-on-one social spaces – easily moved aside whenever required. With fluidity and flexibility built in, it’s possible to create a truly multi-functional space.

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2. Biophilia

Of course we’re going to talk about this, biophilic design is at the heart of what we do at Vantage Spaces. We’ve never been busier, and it’s no surprise. More and more organisations are recognising the value of bringing nature into the workplace. As humans, we have an innate connection to the natural world, it lifts our mood, boosts our focus, and simply makes us feel good. That’s the essence of biophilia.

Employers are investing in biophilic design not just because it looks great, but because it works. It supports mental and physical wellbeing, enhances productivity, and improves air quality. Designers love it too, it’s incredibly adaptable. Whether it’s creating a bold visual statement, softening angular spaces, or introducing subtle zones of privacy, biophilic elements help shape spaces that feel calm, welcoming and alive.

The best part? Biophilia doesn’t have to be high-maintenance. Green walls add impact without taking up floor space. Trailing plants above meeting booths or breakfast bars add texture without clutter. And for spaces where upkeep is a concern, preserved foliage and moss walls offer a low-effort way to bring natural elements into the mix. In short, biophilic design isn’t a trend, it’s fast becoming a workplace essential.

The benefits of biophilic design go far beyond aesthetics. Certain plants have been shown to naturally filter the air we breathe, an idea first explored by NASA in the 1980s when they studied how plants could purify the air in space stations. Today, many of the same pollutants they were targeting (like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene) are surprisingly common in our own office environments, released from things like cleaning products, adhesives, floor finishes, and even paper goods. With most modern workspaces sealed off and climate-controlled, biophilic design offers an elegant solution, improving both air quality and wellbeing in a single move. It’s no wonder architects and designers are baking greenery into projects right from the start.

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3. Natural light

With employee wellbeing front of mind for progressive employers, architects and designers alike are always looking to incorporate maximum natural light. A recent study atCornell showed workers exposed to natural light experienced an 84% drop in issues such as headaches, eyestrain, and blurred vision. Whilst natural light used to be largely the preserve of the ‘corner office’, office space has become more equitable these days with open plan schemes affording everyone the benefit of natural light. Opaque screening is replaced with glass and where subtle screening is required, planting is used instead, allowing natural light to flood a whole space.  We’ve worked with clever designers who have enhanced environments by incorporating skylights, borrowing light from central atriums and reflecting natural light with mirrors.  

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4. Soft light

No-one wants to turn the office into the home, but in some spheres, homely accents are replacing traditional office décor – think more ‘café’ than ‘corporate’. Employers are embracing natural, sustainable materials and organic textures and shapes. Some might call it hospitality-inspired décor – a space that encourages you to dwell – comfy low seating, somewhere to have an informal chat and a complete break from the desk.

Soft lighting plays a big role in creating this atmosphere. Harsh overhead fluorescents are being swapped out for warmer, layered lighting schemes that feel more human. Think floor lamps, pendant clusters, and concealed LEDs that create a sense of depth and mood, rather than a flat, clinical wash of light. Designers are also using lighting to gently zone spaces – brighter areas for collaboration and energy, softer glows for lounges and wellness corners. The result is a more adaptable environment that balances focus with relaxation.

What’s particularly effective is how soft light complements biophilic design. Warm, natural tones bring out the textures of wood, stone and foliage, making greenery feel even more vibrant. Spot lighting can highlight living walls or trailing plants, creating a striking focal point without overpowering the space. Even preserved moss walls and planters benefit from softer lighting, taking on a more tactile, inviting quality. When combined, plants and soft light transform the office into a calmer, more restorative environment – one that feels closer to nature and far removed from the harsh, artificial offices of the past.

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5. Inclusivity

A diverse workforce requires a diverse environment – we are all different and we work in different ways. For example, someone who is neurodivergent (and it is estimated that 10-15% of us may be) might find a noisy open plan office quite challenging to work in. Neurodiversity is the idea that human brains don’t come in a one-size-fits-all “normal” package. Let’s face it, we all have different work temperaments, and providing a variety of spaces and experiences in the work environment enables each of us to work to our full potential. This could be a ‘library area’ for quiet focused activity, and another area equipped for more energetic group work. It could be acoustic privacy booths for those moments of extreme focus when delivering on a deadline, or different types of soft seating for those who prefer a more relaxed vibe.

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6. Wellness space

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Wellbeing is far more than having a token quiet room somewhere. Yes, a wellness space can be somewhere to be alone and have quiet time – a tranquil space with low lighting, neutral palette, soft seating and low music. But it can equally be somewhere to connect with colleagues, play a game or feel transported. Wellness options can also be built into a larger space – evening choir sessions and meditation or yoga classes can easily be catered for.

Biophilia also plays a vital role in making wellness spaces restorative. Green walls, potted plants, or moss panels bring in natural elements that reduce stress and improve air quality, while soft, indirect lighting ensures a calming atmosphere. Even small touches, like trailing foliage around seating areas or large planters positioned to create gentle privacy, can make a significant impact. When employees step into these spaces, they should immediately feel a shift – a slower pace, a lighter mood, and the freedom to pause and recharge.

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7. Collaboration space

What much of the above equates to is that space is now required to work harder to accommodate new working practices and optimise ‘together time’ when people do come into the office. Employees must feel empowered to meet, collaborate and create. Appetite for office time remains strong, but it needs to count more than ever. Going into the office can’t afford to be humdrum anymore – we need to celebrate having colleagues and being part of something. A space that is designed to facilitate human interaction is critical to this.

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8. Technology that works with you

Workplace technology is no longer just about convenience, it’s about creating spaces that genuinely support people.

At Vantage Spaces, we see technology as a natural extension of biophilic design, something that should work with the environment, not against it. We’re seeing clients integrate smart booking systems for quiet zones and collaboration areas, install occupancy sensors to optimise space usage and reduce energy waste, and use acoustic AI to adapt soundscapes in real time. When done right, tech isn’t a distraction; it’s a quiet enabler, working in the background to help people feel more at ease, more connected, and more in control of their space.

The most exciting innovations are those that blend technology seamlessly with natural design. Smart lighting systems that adjust throughout the day not only reduce energy consumption but also mimic the rhythm of natural daylight, helping employees feel more alert and balanced. Climate control systems are now being paired with greenery, regulating humidity and temperature in ways that keep both plants and people thriving. Even interactive green walls are emerging, where sensors track air quality and give live feedback on how planting is actively improving the indoor environment.

By combining tech and nature in thoughtful ways, businesses can create workplaces that feel both future-facing and deeply human. Technology becomes an invisible support layer, while plants and natural materials provide the grounding, sensory connection we crave. The result is a workspace where innovation and wellbeing go hand in hand – a setting that adapts to its people, not the other way around.

If you want to learn more about incorporating biophilic design into your office space, get in touch today.