In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving corporate world, the traditional concept of a rigidly structured workplace is gradually giving way to more dynamic and flexible environments. As businesses strive to foster creativity, productivity, and employee satisfaction, one design trend gaining popularity is mix and match furniture styles.
By combining various aesthetics, mix and match furniture is an evergreen style that businesses can use to create a unique and vibrant workplace environment. This style breaks away from the monotonous and predictable look of traditional office spaces, injecting a fresh dose of creativity and personality into the setting.
Here are our top tips and best practices for blending furniture styles to create a collaborative and inspiring workspace.
1. Decide on a mood or theme
While your furniture might be mix and match, you want to make sure it looks cohesive and not overwhelming or disjointed. Coming up with a theme or overarching mood for your office can help you mix and match furniture styles seamlessly.
To do this, reflect on your company's values, culture, and brand image. This introspective analysis will help guide your furniture selection process. Determine whether you want a relaxed and creative atmosphere or a more formal and professional appearance. Select a dominating style as the foundation, be it sleek and ultra-modern, or fun and uplifting, to create visual harmony and guide the integration of other furniture designs.
2. Choose inspiring colours
When it comes to creating a coherent and visually appealing workspace, choosing the right colour palette is key. If you're new to mixing styles, sticking to a simple colour scheme can help you maintain control over the overall design. Opting for a neutral palette, with the possibility of a single pop of colour or three complementary hues alongside natural finishes, provides a solid starting point. By harmonising the colour scheme with the main style and ensuring a pleasing flow, you set the foundation for a well-balanced workspace.
To add visual interest and depth, consider incorporating a few accent colours that complement the overall palette. With a carefully chosen colour palette, your workspace will exude harmony and balance, even with a mix of different furniture styles.
3. Find balance through contrast
It may sound odd that contrast can lead to balance, but distributing a range of choice colours, textures, patterns and silhouettes can actually help take the eye on a journey with ease.
A useful way to create balance throughout the space is to harness the power of repetition. Even when your room incorporates diverse styles, it gains a polished appearance by introducing similar patterns or items in multiple instances. Spread these recurring elements throughout the space. In offices with a mix of furniture styles, it is essential to establish at least one unifying design element. By repeating a chosen colour, finish, material, or pattern two to three times within the same space, you can create cohesion and imbue the area with a curated and intentional feel.
4. Make the space work for you
While aesthetics are important, functionality should not be disregarded. Prioritise furniture that meets the demands and activities of your staff. Always place ergonomic workstations, ample storage, and comfortable chairs as the top priority.
For example, creating designated zones within the workplace is essential to ensure an organised and functional workspace. Each area can serve different functions and accommodate various types of furnishings, while still maintaining a cohesive overall design. For example, in a collaborative zone, consider using large tables with the capacity for plenty of chairs and space for paper, equipment or tech. Or for areas designated for quiet, individual working, focus on soundproofing, and ergonomic, comfortable seating.
In addition, modular furniture is an excellent addition to any mix-and-match workplace environment. These versatile pieces can be rearranged and combined in different ways to accommodate various tasks and team sizes. Furthermore, they allow the workspace layout to adapt to evolving needs and team dynamics.
In the ever-changing corporate landscape, traditional and inflexible office design no longer meets the mark. Embracing the art of mixing and matching furniture styles allows businesses to craft vibrant, adaptable, and inspiring workplace environments. Office furniture rental gives you the flexibility to trial different layouts, styles and trends without the long-term commitment.
By understanding your workspace identity, balancing aesthetics and functionality, and creating a unifying element, you can create a harmonious fusion of furniture styles that fosters creativity, productivity, and employee satisfaction. So, let your imagination run wild and design a workspace that truly reflects your company's values and nurtures the potential of your team.
Need some help creating your perfect mix and match office? Get in touch with us today.