Minimalism in office design

What if we stripped back the superfluous, and made way for the essential? Simplicity is the perfect union of the beautiful, useful and appropriate.

Beauty in all of it's forms is essential to our well-being. Our soul needs beauty, just as our body needs water, air and food. The sound of music, a good quality armchair with the aroma of fine leather, a cashmere throw, the fragrance of flowers, a room devoid of knick-knacks.

Society actively encourages materialism and acquisitiveness. We have lost the ability to see and judge the inherent quality of an object. Perfect details leave us free to concentrate on the bigger things, but when small details are neglected, they are a source of constant irritation.

If you can't yet afford the sofa of your dreams, save for it little by little until you can, but don't buy a cheap substitute while you wait.

Quality cannot be measured in monetary value. A quality item will adorn it's surroundings with elegance. Fine leather acquires a patina over time, becoming softer and shinier. Wood looks and feels warmer to the eye the longer it is left to age. When a synthetic object ages, it becomes uglier and more irritating. Choose living materials.

An overstimulating interior fetters the imagination, while simplicity releases it. A harmonious colour scheme and natural materials are soothing to the eye and touch. Once you have savoured quality, you will never settle for mediocrity. Today, we are exposed to quality less and less, so that we no longer desire it. Quality is expensive as it cannot be mass produced, this is the definition of luxury. The price may seem exorbitant, but the piece will give you satisfaction for the rest of your life, and pleasure every time you use it.

At work, change is constant. New hybrid spaces are modular, movable and multi-use — it is more important than ever that office furniture should support different types of work and be reconfigured or modified easily. Making the space work harder also applies to the furniture too.

Free up space, ensure the interior is classy and timeless. and that everything has it's place. If there is storage required, make sure it is adequate and easily accessible. The more essential the interior, the easier it is to clean and keep tidy.

Employees need more than just a fancy office, they need a sense of belonging and trust, more control over where they work, places to rejuvenate and support wellbeing and to feel physically and psychologically safe. An office should be somewhere calming functional and adaptable. Somewhere that exhales natural beauty, and where the residents feel at ease to do their best work.

Position the most utilised areas in natural daylight, and ensure access to fresh air and quality drinking water. Nooks for quiet concentration, an array of natural textures and a view of nature for enhanced happiness. Access to exercise and fresh produce is also essential for a healthy body and mind.

This shift in mindset can apply to office interiors and homes alike.

@anew_consulting

#minimalism #officedesign #nature #thereisnoplanetB