If you weren’t lucky enough to be born the heir of a multimillion-dollar business or a member of royal blood, chances are you spend most of your life at work. To make time at the office more comfortable—and maybe even enjoyable—modern companies come up with all sorts of tricks, from free coffee in the kitchen to entire gyms in the next room. But what if we dig deeper? We spoke with Onliner.by about what the ideal office should look like in 2022.
It all starts with layout

Remember: without a well-thought-out layout, it’s impossible to create a great interior. That’s why designers spend a lot of time studying a company’s business processes—how teams interact, what their needs are. Based on that information, they plan the placement of departments, break rooms, meeting spaces, and open work areas in a smart and convenient way. Functional zoning can be done using glass partitions, decorative slats, plants, or even whiteboards.

One key element of a modern office is acoustic comfort. This can be achieved through a combination of solutions: special floor, ceiling, and wall finishes, or acoustically-friendly furniture. Think hanging felt panels or light fixtures above desks, or mobile fabric partitions.
"A great idea is to make the space loopable, with no dead ends—so you can walk around the office in a circle. Or at least connect all pathways to a central spot where people gather to relax or chat. Corridors can be filled with little surprises and interesting details—motion-activated sensors, a pocket full of candies, or a well-designed mood board. First, it lifts the mood, and second, it can spark creative solutions," says Ruslan.

Just a few years ago, 80% of office space was occupied by open-space or standard workstations, and only 20% was allocated to meeting rooms, informal areas, or coffee points. Now, most companies have switched to a hybrid work model. The office is no longer a necessity for business growth, but it remains the heart of company culture. That means collaboration zones are expanding—now making up as much as 40% of office space.

In essence, this creates an internal coworking environment, where employees who come in daily can interact with remote colleagues. With no assigned desks, people can choose where they want to work—join a few online meetings, brainstorm with the team, or focus on tasks in a quiet spot.

In a hybrid office, you’ll find a variety of formats: nap rooms, acoustic pods with excellent sound insulation for private calls or one-on-one chats.
"After the pandemic, people realized they could choose where they feel more comfortable working—from home or the office. That’s why many companies now prefer 'hot desks.' These aren’t assigned to anyone and can be reserved by individuals or teams as needed. Whether it’s through a special app, a small device built into the desk, or even just a sticky note—there are plenty of options. And trust me, it’s an incredibly convenient and efficient way to manage space."

During the lockdowns, people also grew accustomed to a casual style—in clothing, thinking, and interior design. Where jumpers and jeans once set IT workers apart, now almost no one wants to go back to trousers and button-down shirts. Naturally, this shift influences the office environment as well. More and more companies are requesting “home-like” offices—warm, cozy spaces that break away from the cold, rigid atmosphere of traditional business centers.

More and more companies, including those in Belarus, are setting up their offices in former industrial buildings. This is especially true for industries like IT, design and architecture, advertising, and media. These kinds of spaces offer a ready-made creative backdrop and inspire employees’ imagination—and they also look refreshingly unconventional.

Key features of the loft style include:

• Spacious interiors with high ceilings and large panoramic windows;
• Exposed utilities, metal and wooden frame structures, beams, and partitions that double as decorative elements;
• Deliberately rough concrete or brick walls that highlight the building’s industrial roots.

The rather austere walls make a great canvas for various types of décor—from artwork to graffiti. However, it's best not to overdo it with decorations or furniture: loft style is defined by its minimalism.

It's hard to imagine a modern office without at least a dedicated relaxation area. Larger companies go even further, equipping their spaces with gyms, game rooms with consoles, outdoor terraces for parties, and cozy corners for mothers and children. You could say the office infrastructure starts to resemble a small city.
“These kinds of zones definitely strengthen team spirit. And as we know, the healthier the atmosphere within the team, the more effectively the business operates. Plus, casual get-togethers like these often spark new ideas,” says Sasha.

Where possible, break rooms should have plenty of natural light—an effective way to combat fatigue and tension. The furniture should be soft and as comfortable as possible: think mobile modular sofas, lounge poufs, and cozy hygge chairs.
In many large companies, such spaces are designed with a great deal of responsibility—and a hint of madness, of course. For example, at Google’s office in Zurich, employees can play football and basketball; in Toronto, there’s rooftop mini-golf. And in Ontario, the break room walls are equipped for rock climbing.
SoundCloud’s Berlin office even has fireplace lounges, where you can watch the flames forever and truly relax.

The office kitchen has recently climbed the ranks to become one of the most important spaces in the workplace. Once just a nice bonus for breaks and informal chats, it’s now a core element of coworking. In large offices, kitchens may be the size of small restaurants, with professional equipment, serving lines, and even in-house baristas.
“To make a kitchen cozy, companies use all sorts of cool features—from soda machines to contactless coffee makers you can control via an app,” notes Sasha.

Technology is rapidly transforming our surroundings—including the workplace. This shift was accelerated by COVID-19, which drove demand for contactless environments.
“There’s increased focus on sensor-based devices, from hand sanitizers to motion-activated light switches. Face-recognition access systems are also becoming more common—they help minimize surface contact,” says Ruslan.
“We barely use any light switches in our office. There’s a smart lighting system that adjusts intensity and warmth depending on the time of day—and even reacts to people in the room.”

In the post-COVID era, offices now compete with the comforts of home. Some companies even let employees wear slippers to work (yes, really). Ergonomic furniture is becoming standard.
“Height-adjustable desks are a fantastic investment in employee health,” Sasha emphasizes. “As for chairs, it’s best to choose orthopedic models—they support spinal health thanks to their backrest shape and tilt angle. If the company has a limited budget, we suggest installing a few adjustable desks as shared workstations. Employees can book them when needed.”
Storage systems have also evolved. Mobile pedestals are outdated. Replacing them are personal lockers where employees can keep their gym clothes and other personal items. Lockers can use traditional locks or access cards and can be assigned or shared—similar to those in a gym.

Storage systems have also evolved. Mobile pedestals are outdated. Replacing them are personal lockers where employees can keep their gym clothes and other personal items. Lockers can use traditional locks or access cards and can be assigned or shared—similar to those in a gym.

As mentioned earlier, smart office planning is key. This includes managing distances between workstations and ensuring safe hallway widths.
“In one recent project, we simply removed the trash bins from under desks and added sorting bins at a coffee point. The workspace immediately looked cleaner—especially as offices are becoming more hybrid and tech-oriented,” explains Ruslan.

A great example of decluttering is a wireless charging station. No more messy cables or worrying about losing one. Anyone can book a spot and charge their device.
“Of course, some clutter is hard to avoid—like collections of superhero figurines, stacks of colorful board games, or team trophies. It’s important to respect these items and allocate a specific shelf or niche to display them.”

When designing interiors, balance is essential—between base materials and decorative elements. This helps draw attention to the right details. For example, strategic branding or standout navigation features.
Eco-friendly materials like glass, metal, and concrete are in trend. Flooring plays a key role in decoration—modular carpets and LVT planks are popular choices. However, the most important office décor tools are live plants, green walls, acoustic panels, and ceiling compositions.

The demand for office relocation has grown significantly. Designers now often have to create workspaces in unfamiliar countries—helping employees adjust and saving companies money on rent and furnishings.
“While designing offices in Cyprus, we’re increasingly working with terraces and verandas—so the line between interior and architecture gets blurred. EV and scooter charging stations, as well as bicycle parking, are gaining popularity. In fact, their absence can influence a job candidate’s decision,” explains Sasha.
“Also, European building regulations differ from ours. Heating and hot water aren’t always included in buildings, so we often need to plan for boilers and other necessary infrastructure.”

This material is reprinted from Onliner.by.