They say that what truly makes or breaks a home at the end of the day is the furniture that’s placed into it. And that stands true for offices as well! The right kind of furniture can truly create the essence of an office, and not to mention boost the overall productivity of its employees as well. And since most of us are slowly moving out of our home offices, and into actual workspaces, the transition can be a complex and daunting one, especially since we grew so accustomed to working from the comforts of our homes. We’re back to dealing with nosy coworkers, office politics, and tedious commutes. Keeping our morale high, and motivation pumped up through an entire week can often be exhausting. But, I do believe the right collection of furniture designs, smartly placed in an office space can boost daily productivity, irrespective of whether one is working at home or in a corporate office. From Microsoft’s office pod that creates a private working space to a portable office desk + PC – the designs showcased here will make you look forward to work every morning, and you’ll be jumping out of bed, excited to get started!
1. Flowspace
Draped in gray felt, Flowspace comes with automated privacy panels that create a hybrid of a conventional desk and round pod. As currently conceptualized, each pod comes with its own desktop computer, desk, and stool. The desktop computer’s monitor spans almost the entire panel inside the pod, making it an ideal screen for heavy workloads and even presentations.
Why is it noteworthy?
The pod itself comes in two halves to combine and provide plenty of privacy amidst busy work zones. Whenever you want to get back to the WFH grind, Flowspace creates a temporary sanctuary for focus and deep work. With the so-called ‘new normal’ making its way around the globe, we’re all eager to have a little bit of both–the charm of working alone and the excitement of collaboration.
What we like
- Automated privacy panels
- Features an ideal screen for heavy workloads and even presentations
What we dislike
No complaints!
2. The Axis Stool
Designed to guarantee comfort and instantly increase concentration and physical fatigue, the Axis stool is, according to the designer, the first ergonomic stool created from sustainable materials. The stool is intended primarily for the demanding needs of a flexible office environment, for which, it is made lightweight and stackable – two essentials of a modern office where space comes for a premium.
Why is it noteworthy?
In addition to its ergonomic design, sustainability is at the Axis’s core. The seat is made from injection molding bio thermo-polymer, which makes it a biodegradable and recyclable seating unit for the greener offices of the future. To create more impact with little mechanical intervention, the entire stool – the base and the seat – are held together using a single screw. The convenient manufacturing makes it possible that the specially engineered seat on the top can tilt in any direction so the users don’t feel the pressure while leaning from one desk to another. The base and the seat are placed inches apart from each other to allow 360-degree tilting without friction between the two components.
What we like
- Created from sustainable materials
- The entire stool is held together using a single screw
What we dislike
- We’re not sure how comfortable it would be to work on for long periods of time
3. Kosumi’s Wall Organizer and Mess-Free Planter
Defined by an assembly system close to LEGO building blocks, Kosumi’s Wall Organizer and Mess-Free Planter come with base grids that attach to walls with 3M strips, requiring no hardware or tools in the process. Once users form their base grid on their chosen vertical surface, the fun begins. Stocked with over 20 different modules, Kosumi’s Wall Organizer and Mess-Free Planter come with hangers, magnetic clips, transparent storage containers, planters, and cubbies.
Why is it noteworthy?
No matter the size of your living space, multi-use furniture helps to keep both the floor and our minds free from clutter. Adding his own multi-functional, organizational WFH design to the mix, Fahredin Kosumi created a Wall Organizer and Mess-Free Planter to form a magnetic, modular garden to mount on any vertical surface.
What we like
- Works like LEGO building blocks
- Impressive storage space
- Entirely recyclable
What we dislike
- We’re not too sure how long the plants would last in such an ecosystem
4. The IGLOO
The IGLOO models itself on its namesake, the dome-shaped ice structure used by Inuits as shelter. Designed to mount onto practically any office chair (or even a regular or lounge chair), the IGLOO is a stroller-inspired hood that you can open or close as much as you want, depending on how public or private you want your workspace. The adjustable hood gives you a cocoon of sorts, letting you work privately, have video calls in a white bubble (instead of worrying about your background), or even take a nap in your own safe space.
Why is it noteworthy?
Coined by the American anthropologist Edward Twitchell Hall, Proxemics refers to the need to have a ‘personal space’ in public, that people shouldn’t invade or intrude on. While that essentially goes against the very traits of ‘socializing’, the IGLOO is perfect for people who get easily distracted, or introverts who just want to have people around, but not in their face (interestingly enough, it’s worth noting that a lot of office-going women have shown interest in the IGLOO). It’s the equivalent of wearing earphones so other people know not to disturb you…
What we like
- Provides you with a personal cocoon of your own
- Universally retrofitting design that attaches onto virtually any chair
What we dislike
- Not made from the most eco-friendly materials
5. The HÅG Capisco Chair ergonomic office seat
The HÅG Capisco chair ergonomic office seat is an innovative chair design that’s been amped with a variety of active sitting options, that ensure you don’t have to sit still all day long! It pairs perfectly with standing desks, or desks with an adjustable height. It comes in twelve different upholstery options, as well as three different color options.
Why is it noteworthy?
The chair works well for all kinds of people. Whether you’re a fidgety personality who loves to move around, or someone who enjoys stretching and practicing yoga – this chair works perfectly for everyone! It supports any seating position you may occupy – whether you sit backward, sideways, kneeling, cross-legged, squatting, or more.
What we like
- Adjustable height – 15″ to 40″
- Supports a maximum weight of 250 pounds
What we dislike
- The chair’s quirky form may not merge harmoniously with modern office spaces
6. The Propr Office Containr Slim Rolling Pedestal
The Propr Office Containr Slim Rolling Pedestal is perfect for organizing + decluttering your workspace! The minimal furniture design features two drawers. The top drawer is equipped to hold smaller items, while the bottom drawer stores larger items.
Why is it noteworthy?
The furniture piece stores your office supplies in a handy manner, ensuring you don’t have to go around looking for them at all times. In fact, the bottom drawer even features an anti-tip mechanism to support and stabilize the product. It has four hidden wheels, which makes it super easy to move from one corner of the office to another.
What we like
- Hides neatly under your desk
- Portable form
What we dislike
No complaints
7. The Blis Home Office Desk
This cool desk design keeps the wire clutter to a minimum for a clean look, hiding them from plain sight in the funneled legs. While it gives the impression of a very simple desk, there are inclusions that enhance the tidiness aspect further. There’s a sleek groove on the back section to store anything from files, papers, or pens to folders or charging cables. This section has an embedded board on top to pin all your important tasks, reminders or calendar events, or photos of loved ones to be always in a blissful frame of mind.
Why is it noteworthy?
The desk has an elevated section on the other side for planters, pen stands, or other props to keep things organized without much effort. On the bottom, there is a storage box that can move independently in the vertical direction too. The designer has incorporated the wooden inserts with the highest quality surface laminates by Wilsonart for years of durability. The Blis Home Office Desk comes in cool white silver, black, and dusted grey finish that will go with any home interior without a semblance of doubt.
What we like
- Keeps the wire clutter to a minimum
- Sleek groove on the back section for storage
What we dislike
- May not merge with the interiors of a corporate office
8. The 5° Chair
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve leaned back in almost every chair I sit in. If I have the room, I’ll tilt back until I hit that sweet spot and let the chair teeter back and forth. Some of us have fidget spinners and some of us lean our chairs all the way back. Designed specifically for those of us who share that same tendency, Seoul-based design firm 250 Design built the 5° Chair, an office chair that can rotate 360°, lean back and forward, and tilt from side to side.
Why is it noteworthy?
The chair’s seat plate cozies up to and hugs your hips for support from the bottom, with added cushion for comfort. Similarly, the backrest plate forms to the shape of your back to bolster your posture and encourage an upright spine. The 5° Chair’s legs are reinforced in the core with angled wave springs that can tilt in any direction, while the chair’s spindle can lean from side to side, 5 degrees from its center point. The rotatability of the 5° Chair allows it to adjust to your body’s natural movement, offering support from every angle.
What we like
- Adjust’s to your body’s natural movement
- Embedded wave springs provide the chair with stationary mobility
What we dislike
- Does not feature wheels
9. The Program
Named the “Program” this modular desk is ideal for creative individuals who love the freedom of organizing their desk as per their needs. Depending on the task at hand or the kind of tools required, the desk comes equipped with various cubbyholes and hanging spaces for you to get creative, literally!
Why is it noteworthy?
The different storage modules can be suitable for storing files, documents, or even your favorite magazines or sketches. In addition, the desk has a large storage box and a two-part table to further extend the modularity aspect. I find the design an eclectic mix of structure yet chaos – it has enough options to create an organized workspace or to embrace the chaos – it gives you the freedom to make your desk setup work for you.
What we like
- Multiple and innovative storage modules
- We can collapse the Program’s desk section and make it a display for all your hanged memorabilia
What we dislike
- Limited to only creative individuals
10. Area Flip
This thoughtfully designed office computer gives us a glimpse into the future of ultra-flexible work environments where your work is not limited by the equipment at your disposal. Rather it is mobile and tailored for any creative process that takes place in the organization. For example working together on projects, instant presentations, or brainstorming on a priority problem. It merges the portability of the laptop with the real-estate of a PC – giving you the best of both.
Why is it noteworthy?
In a typical office setup with desktops as workstations, your portability is limited by the partitions and the wires that clutter but keep you connected. This also leads to a standardized working environment which can get monotonous with time. This problem demands a solution like the Area Flip which maximizes the mobility of the work environment. The Area Flip does this by transforming into a portable desktop, a presentation screen (vertical), or a flat (horizontal) screen for a lying board/screen that allows the people to collaborate better.
What we like
- Portable design
- Capable of being moved like a suitcase
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
