International furniture dealership. Workplace design consultancy. All in one.

Common questions about workplace design and furniture

• What's the difference between workplace design and furniture procurement, and do I need both?

  Workplace design and furniture procurement are distinct but closely connected disciplines, and the best results come when they are handled together. Design is about understanding how your people work and creating an environment that supports them: the layout, the zones, the flow of a space. Procurement is about specifying and sourcing the right products to bring that vision to life. IE combines both under one roof, which means your furniture choices are always informed by your design strategy, and your budget is managed across the whole project, not just one part of it.

• What makes a workplace effective for hybrid teams?

  An effective hybrid workplace is designed around the reasons people actually come into the office: collaboration, connection and activities that are harder to do remotely. Hybrid working changes how space gets used, which means the old model of rows of desks no longer serves most organisations well. The most successful hybrid environments balance spaces for teamwork and social interaction with quieter areas for focused tasks. The right balance will be different for every organisation, which is why it is worth starting with how your people actually work rather than assuming a standard solution will fit.

• How can workplace design support employee wellbeing?

  Workplace design supports employee wellbeing by shaping the physical conditions that influence how people feel at work,  from energy levels and concentration to stress and sense of belonging. The most important factors include acoustics, lighting, temperature, ergonomics and access to a range of spaces that suit different tasks and moods. Wellbeing should not be an afterthought or a single feature like a breakout area. It needs to run through every design decision from the start.

• How do we balance sustainability with budget when refurbishing our office?

  Sustainability and budget are more compatible than most organisations expect, and the right approach can serve both goals at once. Reusing existing furniture, for example, is both the most sustainable option and often the most cost-effective. Specifying furniture products with longer lifecycles, choosing manufacturers with strong environmental credentials, and planning what happens to furniture at the end of its life can all reduce both environmental impact and long-term cost. We help clients think through these decisions at every stage, so sustainability is built into the brief rather than value-engineered out at the end.
  To learn more about creating a sustainable workplace, read our guide: The Sustainable Office.