In the past for creating corporate office design the attention was paid to the functionality of ergonomic design. Nowadays the comfort of the employees is more important. Companies try to create comfortable workplace, use functional ergonomic elements in order to keep high quality personnel, improve productivity and preserve a competitive edge.

People try to make their homes not only secure but also inviting. Today most Americans spend more than 40 hours per week at work, that’s why it is necessary to create such work environment that they could feel themselves like home away from home.

Modern design technologies are environmentally friendly or green. To protect the environment and health the recycled furniture is used. Due to this the design of the office is not only influenced by trends in color, materials, furniture, lighting and space planning, but also by environmental concerns.

Color
Color has a huge impact on the overall office space and the comfort of the employees. It represents the image and mood of the company. Also it influences on the personal mood and concentration of the employees. For instance with the help of warmer tones you can create an inviting atmosphere and give the sense of friendliness and security to the clients.

Bold accent colors make the environment more exciting and upbeat. Red is the most popular color for the accent wall and Chinese red is used instead of the earthy shades. Orange is also a popular color but today the brighter shade is used to create fresh and fun workspace. The popular hue of blue today is a sea glass-type which is very calm and cooling and is a kind of spa colors. To create warming atmosphere different combinations of skin tones are used.

Materials
Natural and recycled materials add comfort and ease the workspace. Wood, stone, linen, suede, cotton and wool are widely used. Recycled materials make the space more green and can include higher-performance windows; recycled building materials such as glass tiles and wood; low-VOC carpet, wall covering and paint; recycled carpet and wall covering; downsized, energy-efficient HVAC systems; and refurbished systems furniture.

Furniture
Cherry wood is widely used nowadays because it is attractive and economic. Walnut is not very popular due to the lack of supply but alter wood is very profitable. Medium to darker woods are popular. They create the contrast with the office space and produce the feeling of richness.

Most companies give the preference to the high-end furnishings and dark woods. For the utilitarian-type spaces it is beneficial to use lighter woods. Modern designs also involve metals in order to contrast hard surfaces with warmer natural materials.

Lighting
Energy efficient lighting is installed in corporate environments. The spaces with large amount of natural light have become very popular. For energy efficiency you should separate ambient lighting from task lighting. Companies give the preference to user-friendly light sources like desk lamps instead of overhead fluorescent lighting.

To create the atmosphere of comfort in the office indirect, softer light sources are used. For high traffic or common areas it is useful to install decorative fixtures made out of costly materials like colored glass.

Space Planning
Most offices include a large formal conference room and a separate smaller informal conference room. Common for most offices are flexible rooms and furniture built on casters.

Today workspaces are flexible and efficient. Modular furniture is widely used in private offices. Most offices have lunchrooms and outside seating for the employees. The reception areas have become larger in order to create a bolder first impression. Reception desks are very modern and of a high quality. They act as a secondary source of branding for the company.

Conclusion
Office design trends are created to satisfy the comfort needs of end- users.