The workplace is evolving faster than ever. As we step into the new year, offices are no longer just physical spaces. We have identified four influential trends are shaping what the workplace will look like in 2026.
1. Neuro-Inclusive and Sensory-Aware Design
One size never fits all in office design, and now companies are finally embracing that fact at a neurological level.
Neuro-inclusive design means creating spaces and experiences that are accessible and user-friendly for everyone, covering the entire neurodiversity spectrum. This could be extroverts who thrive on interaction to neurodivergent individuals who may need low-stimulation zones.
This trend shows as offices providing more varied sensory settings:
- Truly quiet rooms or library zones for deep work,
- Touchdown spaces with gentle background noise,
- Soft lighting options and,
- Areas with adjustable sensory elements to accommodate different comfort levels.
Oktra’s Future Workplace Report points to the importance of such features, noting that future workplaces should offer wellbeing spaces that cater to neurodiverse employees. Some workplaces even include ‘sensory deprivation rooms’ for complete silence and decompression.
The goal is to enable each individual to find an environment that fits their mode of working and neurological profile on any given day.
Major design firms are already championing neuro-inclusive principles. HOK calls for workplaces that celebrate neurological differences rather than treating atypical needs as an afterthought.
Expect to see more offices with designated quiet zones, no interruption seating and support for different working styles.
Small touches, like offering noise-cancelling headphones and having alternate communication methods can make a big difference. Ultimately, designing with sensory wellbeing in mind benefits everyone. It leads to environments that are less chaotic, more thoughtful and adjustable to personal comfort.
In a 2026 workplace that may host five generations and a spectrum of neurodivergent conditions, this will be key to helping all employees thrive.
2. Sustainability
For most employees, sustainability in office design is a baseline expectation. 61% of workers say eco-friendly, sustainable materials are important to their satisfaction with the office. This aligns with a broader shift in sentiment. Sustainability is now tied to individual principles and talent attraction.
Employees, especially younger ones, want their company’s office to reflect their own values of environmental responsibility. Features like energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, recycling and compost programs are becoming standard in new office designs.
Beyond materials and energy, companies are also pursuing credentials to prove their commitment. Green building certifications (LEED, BREEAM, etc.) are well-known, but the focus is expanding to health-oriented certifications like WELL and Fitwel. These certifications encompass both sustainability and human wellness metrics.
Workplaces are now tracking air quality and ventilation in real time. AI and smart sensors give companies the insights they need to maintain healthy indoor environments.
Supporting biodiversity is becoming an important priority. Many organisations are now planting pollinator-friendly species on terraces and rooftops. Branded pollinator habitats are emerging as a visible sign of commitment.
The percentage of floor space dedicated to plants or natural elements is increasing. By 2026, sustainable design will be part of the DNA of the workplace. We expect B Corp status or WELL certification for spaces to continue growing in popularity.
Tomorrow’s offices will be expected to care for both people and the planet. Responsible design now means balancing sustainability with wellbeing.
3. Measurable WellBeing
Alongside sustainability, the idea of ‘measurable wellbeing‘ in workplaces is gaining traction.
It’s no longer enough to assume an office is working well for employees. Leading companies want to track and prove it through concrete metrics. This is driving adoption of building standards like the WELL Building Standard and Fitwel. These standards provide frameworks and certifications for how well a space supports human health.
Offices pursuing WELL certification, must meet criteria across areas such as air, water, light, fitness, comfort and mind. Fitwel, emphasises things like nutritious food access, physical activity and health policies.
Find out more on how plants can contribute to WELL Certification.
What’s notable is that offices with these certifications demonstrate increased employee satisfaction. Early data shows that people in WELL-certified workplaces report a 26% increase in wellbeing.
In practical terms, ‘measurable wellbeing’ means offices are being designed and run with constant attention to health metrics. For example, indoor air quality sensors might track CO₂ and pollutant levels in real time. Lighting systems might be tuned to circadian rhythms and measured for appropriate lux levels at different times of day. Acoustic quality can be measured and adjusted if certain areas are too noisy for concentration. Even things like the ratio of green space per occupant or the use of staircases can be quantified.
Employee feedback is increasingly part of the equation. Regular pulse surveys or smart building apps allow workers to rate comfort, cleanliness, noise and more. In 2026, we expect offices to prominently feature their wellness metrics (much like a building might display its energy usage).
The best workplaces will treat wellbeing as a deliverable. We expect organisations to use standards like WELL and Fitwel as blueprints to ensure the office truly supports its human occupants.
4. Hospitality Influence: Offices with a Boutique Vibe
The design of offices is increasingly taking cues from the hospitality industry. We’re seeing hotel lounges, inviting cafés and boutique hotel lobbies all translated into the workplace context.
This trend recognises that employees, much like guests, want to feel welcomed and comfortable in a space. Landlords and employers are therefore transforming offices to have more of a hospitality vibe. Amenities are similar to high-end hotels or coffeehouses rather than traditional corporate offices.
In modern offices it’s now common to see in-house cafés and barista bars, casual lounge areas with artisanal furniture and more. Event programming like yoga classes, networking mixers and wreath-making workshops are becoming popular – all things one might expect to find at a boutique hotel.
The reasoning is simple: if the office is an enjoyable destination, people will want to be there.
A key aspect of this hospitality approach is focusing on the experience. It’s about crafting thoughtful experiences that earn the commute. A recent Harvard study on workplace loneliness highlighted that meaningful social connection happens through inclusive activities and comfortable spaces.
Organisations are investing in community events, wellness programs and beautifully designed multi-purpose spaces. Spaces where people can both work and unwind.
The hospitality influence also means service quality in offices is rising. We expect offices to feel more like a members’ club or coworking lounge. Places with their own vibrant identity and a focus on how people experience it each day.
Employees are customers of the workplace. To attract them (and retain them), the office must compete with the comfort of home and the allure of third places.
modern office FAQ'S
What are the biggest trends shaping office design in 2026?
The major trends are neuro-inclusive and sensory-aware design, sustainability, measurable wellbeing and hospitality-influenced workplaces. Together they focus on comfort, health and creating offices people want to use.
What does neuro-inclusive design mean in the workplace?
It means designing spaces that work for a wide range of neurological needs, from extroverts who enjoy buzz to neurodivergent employees who may need calm, low-stimulus areas. It often includes quiet rooms, soft lighting, varied sensory zones and flexible seating.
Why are sensory-aware spaces becoming common in new offices?
Companies are recognising that people work best in different environments. Offering a choice of sensory settings supports focus, reduces stress and helps employees manage their own comfort throughout the day.
How does sustainability influence modern office design?
Sustainability is now a baseline expectation. Offices are using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, better ventilation and recycling programmes. Many workplaces are also adding plants, pollinator habitats and pursuing certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, WELL and Fitwel.
Why are certifications like WELL and Fitwel becoming more popular?
They give companies a clear framework for designing healthy, sustainable spaces. They also provide measurable standards, helping organisations track air quality, light, comfort, acoustics and other wellbeing metrics.
What is “measurable wellbeing” in office design?
It refers to tracking how well a workplace supports health through data. This can include air-quality sensors, lighting levels, acoustic scores, green space ratios and employee feedback. Many companies now treat wellbeing as something to prove, not assume.
Do WELL-certified workplaces show better employee outcomes?
Early data suggests they do. People working in WELL-certified offices report higher satisfaction, including a noted 26% increase in wellbeing.
Why are offices starting to look more like hotels?
The hospitality influence comes from a simple idea: if the office feels inviting, people will want to use it. Modern workplaces now include café-style spaces, lounges, comfortable furniture and a stronger focus on service and experience.
What kinds of hospitality-style features are appearing in offices?
Examples include barista bars, boutique-style lounges, wellness rooms, community events, workshops and multi-purpose social spaces. These features help build connection and make the commute feel worthwhile.
How do plants and biophilic elements fit into these 2026 trends?
Plants support all four trends. They improve sensory comfort, enhance sustainability, contribute to WELL criteria and help create warmer, more hospitality-inspired spaces. Many offices are now dedicating more floor space to greenery and using sustainable pots and planting systems.
