Office Designs Tailored For Millennial Expectations

Millennials—individuals born between 1980 and 1996—now make up the largest generation in the United States labor force at 35 percent. If your organization wants to attract top Millennial talent, you’ll need to create a workspace where Millennials want to work.

While that may mean overhauling your existing design strategies and layout, you can expect measurable results in increased productivity, better communication, and higher overall employee satisfaction. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what Millennials are looking for in the workplace, along with how businesses can align an office design with those desires.

Rethinking the Cubicle

Enclosed, high-walled cubicles are quickly becoming a thing of the past, as Millennials overwhelmingly prefer more open workspaces. In fact, one study showed 82% of respondents claimed that companies couldn’t encourage innovation without an existing innovative workspace design and environment. However, that doesn’t mean you have to transition to a completely open office space. Instead, your organization can achieve a balance of both with mid-height cubicles, group work areas, and shared desks instead of partitioned cubicles.

By doing so, you allow for more activity-based workspaces that encourage physical movement while designating separate areas for collaboration and quiet. As a result, millennial workers can share ideas with co-workers while also having quiet spaces to take critical client calls. Instead of confining them, more balanced workspaces invite Millenials to find new ways to use areas more efficiently. By moving away from the mentality that workers should complete all of their work in one fixed space, you can attract Millennial workers who appreciate a more balanced approach to office design.

Let There Be (Natural) Light

Along with drop ceiling tiles, Millennial workers have a particular aversion to harsh fluorescent lighting that has, up until now, been the standard for office spaces. In fact, studies show that 68 percent of workers —not just Millennials—complain about office lighting negatively impacting productivity. The simplest solution? Let in the natural light. Along with a less constricted workspace, you can incorporate larger windows and glass walls into your office to facilitate the flow of natural light throughout the day. You can save money by reducing electricity bills, boosting employee productivity, and attracting top Millennial talent just by incorporating natural light into your office space.

Incorporate Natural Elements

One quick and easy element you can add to your office space right now is some greenery. While studies show that live plants improve indoor air quality, you can also use low-maintenance artificial plants to add a splash of color to your office while creating an organic, inviting atmosphere. In addition, simply adding plants in the workplace can reduce worker stress and minimize sick days, so you can experience measurable productivity increases, all while appealing to today’s largest segment of workers.

Explore Your Office Design Possibilities

Interested in incorporating any of these design elements into your existing office space? Have another idea you want to turn into a reality? Contact the experts at DESIGN + BUILD today. We specialize in every aspect of office design and construction so that we can guide you through every step of the process. With our team on your side, you can get an office space that prepares your organization for the challenges of tomorrow while attracting today’s top talent.