Commercial Furniture Design Trends with Ryan Synkelma

This designer insights series spotlights the visionaries shaping the future of work. In this edition, we connect with Ryan Synkelma to discuss evolving considerations between privacy and community — and the ongoing movement toward flexible, connected environments that support meaningful human experience and wellbeing.

Designer Spotlight

Ryan Synkelma, Furniture Matchmaker & Designer

Ryan Synkelma brings a strategic and human-centered approach to furniture design, drawing on a deep understanding of how form, function, and human experience intersect. Her work spans global corporate and hospitality spaces, partnering with organizations to curate spaces that are both purposeful and inspiring. Guided by a commitment to quality, comfort, and timeless design, she is passionate about creating intentional, elevated workspaces that support long-term organizational vision.

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Q: You've helped global brands reimagine the purpose-driven human experience. How has your cross-disciplinary experience in corporate and hospitality furniture design influenced your approach to workspace design? 

Having experience across different sectors has given me a broad understanding of how furniture functions in all kinds of environments. It’s made me more aware of how people use space, how texture and color affect mood, and how design decisions can influence not just aesthetics, but how people feel and perform. 

As far as how my background influences my approach to workplace design, I think working through COVID really shaped that perspective. You start to see how much people truly think about their environment and how it impacts their work. It’s rewarding to collaborate with clients who are aware of that and want to create spaces that feel good for their teams. 

Q: How can we create acoustic and visual separation through furniture design? 

It’s funny because people don’t want to go back to having full-on panel workstations, you know? They still want that open feel. But this idea of micro-privacy — creating smaller areas that people can hop into, away from their desks when things feel too loud or overstimulating — there’s a lot of that happening right now. 

We’re seeing tons of acoustic products — on the walls, the ceilings — and for space division, a lot of free-standing screens or smaller focus rooms. It’s not so much about hard construction or built-in walls anymore, but more flexible, free-standing elements that can adapt. 

It’s also about encouraging people to get up and away from their desks. It gives them a change of environment and something that’s more visually interesting. Compared to panel systems or desk-mounted screens, these solutions feel more open and human. They create small moments of intimacy within a larger commercial space. 

Q: How can furniture also promote community, connection, and well-being?  

I think everyone’s really moving away from those sterile environments — and honestly, it’s been happening for a long time. We see a lot of natural materials like wood being used, and that’s becoming even more popular. Not just in architecture, but in surface finishes, furniture, and details that bring warmth into the space. 

Creating a space with warmth and variation — different textures, tones, and even ceiling heights — adds so much dynamic energy. Those shifts naturally define zones within a space, giving people different experiences of privacy and openness. 

People still love color and pattern, as long as it’s done thoughtfully. Lately, I’ve been seeing tons of greens and terracotta tones, which feel earthy and grounded. Definitely more in that fall palette, warm and natural. Another big trend is monochromatic spaces, where walls and furniture are in the same color family. It’s cohesive and calming. It gives the space depth and personality without feeling chaotic. It’s that sweet spot between visual interest and simplicity. 

Q: When designing for a variety of work styles, flexibility and movement is such a big topic in workplace strategy. How does furniture design support flexibility between tasks?

I think about this a lot — especially after seeing a presentation by Kalonni about designing for neurodiversity. Creating spaces where people can choose how they sit and move is so important. Whether that means a chair that rocks, a stool that sways, or a soft lounge seat, it’s all about giving people control over their own comfort. 

People really just want the freedom to step away from their desks. Offering different postures and seating types helps them feel more relaxed while they’re answering emails or taking calls. I think that’s one reason so many people enjoy working from home, because they can choose their environment. They might work from the kitchen table, their bed, or the couch. There’s movement and variety built into their day. 

So being able to replicate that variety in the workplace — different zones, furniture types, and postures — creates that same sense of ease. It makes the office feel more human and helps draw people back in.  

Q: What role is smart or tech-integrated furniture playing in commercial spaces?

Furniture technology alone has come such a long way — especially when you think about how far task chairs and height-adjustable desks have evolved from where office design started. It’s incredible how much science goes into the ergonomics of how people sit, how they feel supported, and how a chair molds to their body. I find that fascinating. 

When it comes to tools that support how people work, like monitors, power access, or accessories, I think a lot of people don’t notice those details until they don’t have them. Once they realize they’re missing, it suddenly affects the entire experience. 

There’s also a whole layer of data-driven technology that’s becoming more common. Organizations can now track how often people come into the office, how specific areas are used, or how long people stay. It gives companies a new way to understand how their spaces are performing.

With programs like CET Designer, I can build everything in 3D. It automatically generates all the parts, quantities, finishes, and even the tiny hardware like screws — everything I’d never think to track manually. It’s a massive time saver. The efficiency and accuracy that technology brings to the process is just unbelievable. 

And then you have things like VR and AR — we use that within our own design team now. Even on the consumer side, you see it on Wayfair or similar platforms where you can drop furniture into your living room to scale. It’s wild. There’s so much potential there, and honestly, a lot I’m still learning about myself. 

Q: Commercial-grade furniture now needs to deliver on sustainability, durability, and aesthetics. What are the benefits of circular design?

I think a lot of organizations are taking that route now. There are really two driving forces behind it: cost savings and environmental responsibility. It’s about being mindful of what already exists instead of sending perfectly good furniture to the landfill — which unfortunately is often the default for commercial furniture. Because it’s designed so specifically for one environment, it can be difficult to repurpose.  

When we talk about sustainability and durability, it also extends to transparency — understanding how products are made. Many manufacturers are doing an excellent job providing detailed information about the materials, chemical composition, and environmental impact of their products. There’s a much stronger emphasis now on recycled content, responsible sourcing, and healthier materials. 

It’s not perfect yet, but commercial furniture is making real progress. The industry is learning how to create products that not only last longer and perform better but also contribute to healthier, more sustainable environments for the people who use them every day. 

Q: What trends are you most excited about, and where do you see the future of furniture design heading?

You can absolutely mix and match styles — bring in elements of traditional or contemporary design — while still maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. In terms of trends I’m excited about, I’d really love to see workplaces come back to life, that sense of neighborhood and choice.

I’d love to see that community and openness return. It worked so well before — people felt connected and engaged. Right now, there’s still this lingering sense of disconnection or hesitation to socialize. But I think bringing back that vibrancy and sense of belonging in the workplace is key. 

It feels like, in some ways, we’re starting over. But this is an opportunity to rebuild workspaces that are lively, inclusive, and human again.

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