As the out-of-office replies disappear and offices start buzzing again, many organisations are shifting gears. With the advent of AI changing the game for a huge number of industries, this is the moment to review strategies, adjust budgets, and launch initiatives that will carry them through to the end of the year.
According to Gartner’s Workplace Trends Outlook, 62% of companies revisit their workplace strategy in Q3. Onboarding new hires, refreshing skills, running team-building activities, and checking progress against ESG commitments all sit high on the agenda.That means right now is a prime moment for integrators and resellers to lead conversations about how collaboration spaces can deliver maximum productivity in the months ahead.
TREND #1 Informal meeting spaces
The shift to flex-desking and hybrid work has forced a rethink of office design. Now, modular furniture, mobile partitions, and even robotic room systems are helping teams collaborate more spontaneously. The busiest spaces in many modern offices? The informal ones, sofas, café-style nooks, and casual breakout areas.
This trend has been emerging for a while but few businesses have really acted on it. The busiest spaces in many corporate offices are informal meeting spaces enabled with sofas and even a variety of chair options. Not having laptops directly in front of you on a meeting table invites more active meeting participation, more engagement and more problem solving. Equipping these spaces with the right cameras and audio is a vital piece of the puzzle, bringing remote workers into the same environment.
TREND #2 The rise of creative zones
Let’s be honest: we all imagined we’d be doing stand-up meetings and sketching on digital whiteboards by now.
Reality check? Most people still like to sit down.
But that doesn’t mean creativity has stalled. Creative zones are evolving into attractive, comfortable, tech-enhanced areas designed to encourage ideation without pressure. Think: softer seating, writable walls, collaborative displays, and AV that supports visual thinking, not just formal presentation. These spaces bridge the gap between structured meetings and spontaneous innovation.
TREND #3 Wellbeing and activity first design
Workplaces are embracing quiet pods, biophilic elements, ergonomic furniture, and activity-based zoning to support mental health, focus, and energy. Designers, for instance, prefer dimmer, low-glare lighting to reduce visual fatigue. Meanwhile, sales or support teams might favour bright, open spaces with ambient music and daylight to energise video calls and interactions.
Modern workplace tech now supports these differences. With room scheduling panels and smart environmental controls, employees can book the right space for the task and have lighting, temperature, and audio adjust automatically.
TREND #4 The Phygital era
Digital signage and wayfinding have entered their “phygital” era blending physical spaces with intelligent digital overlays.
No longer just static displays, today’s signage systems guide people to available rooms, share live company updates, and deliver AI-personalised content that makes the workplace feel more connected. Interactive wayfinding displays can reduce confusion and save time, boosting productivity by up to 86%, according to recent studies.
Technologies like AR overlays, MicroLED panels, and cloud-based CMS platforms are turning screens into immersive storytelling tools, not just for visitors, but for internal teams, too.
If you want to explore how to do this with the experts, book a session in one of Maverick’s Connect Spaces. See how the right mix of design and technology can transform the way teams work, and set the tone for a more productive, connected, and successful year ahead.
