Fashion has an unexpected influence on commercial interior design

Fashion has an unexpected influence on commercial interior design

by • Comment, Workplace design

Fashion and interior design have always moved in parallel, reflecting both personal identity and the emerging needs of societyFashion and interior design have always moved in parallel, reflecting both personal identity and the emerging needs of society. For example, corporate dress codes shifted to be more relaxed during the Covid-19 pandemic, coinciding with the increase in remote and hybrid working patterns. This relationship is more visible than ever, as the aesthetics of today’s fashion week runways, and the re-emergence of mid-century design come full circle to influence the look and feel of our commercial office spaces. (more…)

Furniture Makers accepting nominations for 2026 Young Professional Industry Experience 

Furniture Makers accepting nominations for 2026 Young Professional Industry Experience 

by • Company news, Workplace design

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is accepting nominations for its Young Professional Industry ExperienceThe Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is accepting nominations for its Young Professional Industry Experience. The programme provides aspiring young people working in the industry a unique opportunity to visit sector leading companies and understand all areas of the wider trade, including materials, designing, manufacturing, pricing, marketing, sales and customer service. (more…)

Surface Design Show announces the finalists in its awards programme

Surface Design Show announces the finalists in its awards programme

by • Company news, Workplace design

The Surface Design Awards have announced the shortlist for the 2026 edition. The winners will be announced during the Surface Design Show in early FebruaryThe Surface Design Awards have announced the shortlist for the 2026 edition. The winners will be announced during the Surface Design Show in early February. The awards are intended to champion material excellence and design innovation from the UK and around the globe. The announcement follows a judging day with some of the design industry’s most respected experts deliberating and debating the entries. The organisers of the Surface Design Awards 2026 promise to “uncover and celebrate the very best in design excellence, offering a global platform for ground-breaking projects and product design”. (more…)

Half of firms are still sending unwanted office furniture to landfill

Half of firms are still sending unwanted office furniture to landfill

by • Environment, Furniture, News, Workplace design

Half of UK organisations are still sending unwanted office furniture to landfill despite widespread (and apparently misplaced) confidence in their sustainability credentialsHalf of UK organisations are still sending unwanted office furniture to landfill despite widespread (and apparently misplaced) confidence in their sustainability credentials, according to a new report from Business Moves Group. The findings highlight a significant gap between intent and practice in the way companies manage furniture during office moves, refurbishments and wider workplace change The white paper, Furniture futures: sustainable strategies for better workplaces [registration], is based on a survey of 250 facilities and office management professionals across the UK. (more…)

Ninth Workplace Design Conference in Ljubljana to explore positive workplace change

Ninth Workplace Design Conference in Ljubljana to explore positive workplace change

by • Company news, Events, Workplace design

The ninth annual Workplace Design Conference has been confirmed for Thursday, 8 October 2026, with organisers announcing that WDC26 will take place at Ljubljana Castle, one of Slovenia’s most recognisable cultural landmarks. Hosted in the professionally equipped Hribar Hall, high above Ljubljana’s Old Town, the conference will once again bring together an international audience of workplace strategists, business leaders, designers, consultants and solution providers to explore how the design of work environments can support performance, productivity and positive organisational change. (more…)

Life at the coalface: How the agile workplace first appeared in the mid 20th Century

Life at the coalface: How the agile workplace first appeared in the mid 20th Century

by • Comment, Wellbeing, Workplace design

agile working began in the coal fields of NottinghamshireThe idea of diffusion of innovation has become so embedded in our culture, and most recently so associated with the adoption of new technology, that we might assume it happens in predictable ways. The steps between innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards seem intuitive and certain even when their peaks might be unsure. And yet history teaches us that sometimes new ideas can take years or even decades to take hold, even when they are potentially world-changing and relevant for the era in which they were formulated. (more…)

Neuroinclusive workspace design – addressing the current industry shortfalls

Neuroinclusive workspace design – addressing the current industry shortfalls

by • Comment, Workplace design

There is one area which is emerging as the next critical evolution in workplace strategy: neuroinclusive workplace designIn recent years, there have been significant developments in making workplaces more inclusive and accessible for a diverse range of individuals. However, there is one area which is emerging as the next critical evolution in workplace strategy: neuroinclusive workplace design. Neurodivergent employees often bring unique strengths in areas like innovative problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional pattern recognition, but many workplaces are still failing to adequately accommodate these individuals. (more…)

Design Mumbai hosts the Sustainable Design Collective

Design Mumbai hosts the Sustainable Design Collective

by • Company news, Environment, Workplace design

The Sustainable Design Collective joined forces with Design Mumbai to host panel discussions at this rapidly expanding event.The Sustainable Design Collective recently joined forces with Design Mumbai to host panel discussions at this rapidly expanding event. Attracting over 9,000 visitors and 100+ leading, global brands, Design Mumbai’s launch in 2024 marked India’s first-ever B2B international contemporary design trade show for design, architecture, and interiors professionals.  The second iteration was held at Jio World Garden on 26th-29th November 2025. The event has already become a platform, both for Indian brands seeking global recognition and for international companies that want to tap into the prosperous and fast-growing Indian design market. (more…)

Call for accessible design for laboratories to make sure organisations don’t miss out on talent

Call for accessible design for laboratories to make sure organisations don’t miss out on talent

by • News, Workplace design

The Royal Society of Chemistry has called for urgent changes to the accessible design and culture of laboratory spaces after a new report revealed widespread barriers facing disabled researchers.The Royal Society of Chemistry has called for urgent changes to the design and culture of laboratory spaces after a new report revealed widespread barriers facing disabled researchers. The organisation warns that the chemical sciences could lose out on major discoveries unless universities, industry and policymakers act to create more inclusive environments. The Disability-Inclusive Laboratories in the Chemical Sciences report draws on contributions from more than 400 chemists and sets out a detailed picture of the physical, cultural and organisational obstacles that shape disabled scientists’ careers. According to the findings, almost a third of disabled chemists have experienced bullying or discrimination linked to disability, while more than a quarter say they do not feel a sense of belonging at work. Three-quarters report a lack of awareness among colleagues about their support needs. (more…)

The UK’s most influential workplace design event is open for registration

The UK’s most influential workplace design event is open for registration

by • News, Workplace design

Registration is now officially open for Workspace Design Show London, returning to the Business Design Centre on 25–26 February 2026Registration is now officially open for Workspace Design Show London, returning to the Business Design Centre on 25–26 February 2026 with its most forward-thinking edition yet. The 2026 show will push even further under its new theme, Connected Realities, exploring how physical spaces and digital layers are increasingly merging to shape the workplaces of tomorrow. Across two days, the event will transform the BDC into a dynamic landscape of ideas and innovation, featuring leading UK and international brands unveiling the latest in furniture, lighting, acoustics, flooring, sustainability, digital workplace tools and materials for next-generation environments. Visitors can expect a show floor rich with new launches from companies including König + Neurath, Sedus, Kvadrat, Pedrali, Interface, Forbo and more, alongside a wider range of workplace product innovators shaping the future of work. (more…)

For the first time in its history, ORGATEC has an overarching theme

For the first time in its history, ORGATEC has an overarching theme

by • News, Workplace design

ORGATEC, the biannual international trade fair for the workplace sector, has announced the first central theme in the event’s history as it prepares for its 2026 edition.ORGATEC, the biannual international trade fair for the workplace sector, has announced the first central theme in the event’s history as it prepares for its 2026 edition. Under the title From rooms to relationships: designing spaces in an ever-changing world, the fair will shift its focus towards the role of human experience in the design of work and contract environments. The event, which takes place in Cologne from 27 to 30 October 2026, aims to highlight how functional settings can evolve into places that support connection, collaboration and a sense of belonging.

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Tony Attard named as new chair for British Furniture Confederation

Tony Attard named as new chair for British Furniture Confederation

by • News, Workplace design

After ten years in the hot seat, Jonathan Hindle is stepping down as chairman of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC). The new chairman is Tony Attard, OBE, DL, founder and chairman of the Panaz Group. The BFC was set up in 2006 by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers Company (WCFM) to be the voice of the industry to government. Since its formation, its chairs have traditionally been Past Masters of the WCFM– Tony was Master in 2022-3 and President of the Furnishing Industry Benevolent Association (FTBA) prior to its merger with the FMC in 2012. (more…)

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