Millennial Office Design 101

We all know that millennials are different from the previous generations, both in their way of thinking and in their approach to work. For example, they tend to be more tech-savvy, and they have higher expectations of their jobs. They want to actually enjoy their work, which also means that their offices are less likely to be boring and plain. So, if you’d like to learn how to design an office fit for a millennial, here’s what you should know.

Open offices are on the rise

Open plan offices are quite popular with the millennials, and it’s not hard to see why. Millennials want to be engaged in communication with other members of their team, as it inspires them to be more creative. For example, if anybody comes up with a good idea, an open plan design makes it easier for them to share that idea and discuss it with the rest of the team.

It also creates a better sense of community and comfort, since they wouldn’t feel constricted in tight cubicles. When people communicate more at work, they also create connections that make their jobs much more pleasurable. It makes them actually look forward to going to work instead of having nightmares about working in the same box every day. After all, millennials are known to be a bit more talkative generation, so they want to be able to express their thoughts and share their ideas with their coworkers – and open offices make that possible.

Quiet rooms are still available

Millennials are more aware of the differences between extroverts and introverts. This means that while the open office might be the main office design, there should still be quiet rooms available for those that prefer to work in silence. After all, all millennials expect the same thing – work conditions that can cater to their needs. When these needs are met, they are more motivated, more productive, and more willing to stick around for a while. This is why quiet offices are often necessary, since they allow the less social workers to reach their full potential as well.

Home offices are becoming more popular

No matter how well designed a company office may be, millennials still prefer to work from the comfort of their own home. They want to feel comfortable and be in a familiar environment – and their own home fits the criteria better than any public office.

Of course, this doesn’t always fit the companies, so what can be done to keep the millennials “at work”? The main difference between a company office and home office is the fact that the home office can be designed in any way you want. So, the best way to make millennials comfortable is to allow them to personalize their working areas. Even small details like picture frames, pen holders, and coffee mugs can go a long way.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can also let them choose their own chairs, desk, electronics, etc. After all, there are many quality office furniture solutions for businesses of all sizes, so it wouldn’t be hard to find something that fits both millennials and company owners. This would make them feel more at home, it would definitely boost their productivity, and it would make them feel more connected to the company that actually cares about their wishes.

Mixing business and fun

Have you ever wondered why Facebook, Google, and other bigger companies have bean bags, nap pods, slides and similar things that many people can only dream of having at their workplace? It’s because millennials love fun, even at work. They want their work environment to be entertaining and comfortable, not strictly formal and dull.

However, this doesn’t mean you should hire a DJ or turn your office into a circus; in this case, less is more. Since we all need breaks from time to time, you can dedicate one room just to entertainment and relaxation. Use colors to create a fun atmosphere, and consider adding snack and drink vending machines as well. Who knows, it might become a place of inspiration for the younger coworkers.

Green offices

Since millennials are more aware of the climate change than the previous generations, they are also more interested in preserving the environment. This is why they would want their offices to be eco-friendly, which is luckily not that hard to achieve.

For example, a workplace can be made eco-friendly by installing LED lights and water-saving fixtures. It should also be well insulated; it should have double-pane windows and good wall insulation. There should be plants to purify the air, and there should be plenty of natural light. Moreover, if the office is filled with computers, laptops and other electronics, they should be turned off when not in use in order to save some energy.

To sum up, millennials want a more personal work experience that isn’t the same every day. They don’t want to work in tiny cubicles and be treated like machines. What they want to do is communicate, create connections, make an impact, and enjoy their work – and they want their offices to reflect that. This is why their offices are more creative and built with different personalities in mind. Millennials also care about the environment, so they are more likely to choose eco-friendly options, and they aren’t afraid of adding some fun to the mix.