2023 has so far been a time of reflection for all in the offices sector. Providers and occupiers are both working out what they want, and whether the traditional office model really suits them anymore. This uncertainty is leading to changes and opportunities for all.

What are the key office trends in 2023? Read on to learn more about what to expect in the offices sector over the rest of this year and beyond.

Unstoppable rise of hybrid working

Everyone knows by now that the workplace has fundamentally changed. While full working from home does not suit many people and companies, a middle ground of hybrid working is becoming more clearly defined every day, and workspaces are evolving to meet that reality.

What used to be seen as an ideal office layout – banks of desks, strict 9-5 procedures – is being consigned to the past, both literally and figuratively.

More people than ever before are in the office for a maximum of three days a week, and this is affecting office layouts as greater collaboration is required to make the most of the time when people are together. Desk areas are becoming more fluid and common areas are more pronounced as the way we communicate and work together changes.

Improving how we utilise space is the key to increased efficiency and productivity in a hybrid world. As employers reimagine the office as a destination which offers more than people can get at home, serviced offices with flexible layouts are more popular than ever.

Higher bar for attracting and retaining employees

Following on from the previous point is the fact that employers are having to work harder to attract and retain the best employees. If your office space is not a nice place to be and doesn’t offer a modern experience, people are now more likely to move on to a different company.

Whereas previously most traditional offices were largely the same, in the age of hybrid working a top tier office environment can be the differentiator which makes people want to work for you – and consequently allows your company to grow and achieve its potential.

This can mean a variety of things. For example, it can mean meeting people’s needs through amenities like gymnasiums, comfortable breakout areas, bicycle storage or cafes. It could also be achieved by choosing an office which aligns with their personal values. For example, sustainability is more important to people than ever before and it will only become more so in the future. Choosing a building which has a high BREEAM rating and day-to-day sustainability features which reduce environmental impact can all have an effect.

Changing office infrastructure priorities

Along with meeting people’s needs or amenities, you will also need to consider the need to make sure the office layout and infrastructure itself gives people what they require.

For example, flexible layouts which allow people to collaborate effectively and fluidly are a must, as are private areas where people can retreat to concentrate. You also need to consider how to link people in the office with people working from home so that good work can be done even when people are apart.

Offices which provide state-of-the-art meeting room and communication facilities – including business-grade broadband connections – are a must-have in the modern world. Over the course of 2023, we expect a major trend will be companies choosing office buildings which offer the best communication technology and the most flexible layouts.

Contract flexibility

As traditional office layouts fall by the wayside, so to will the way in which companies lease them to begin with. The idea of renting a space for 10 years or more no longer suits the world we live in – if everything else is changing so quickly, why would you tie yourself in for such a long deal.

Instead, the flexible office contract will come to dominate the sector. Serviced offices like those provided by FigFlex can be rented on short-term, flexible contracts which don’t tie you in for a decade or more so that you aren’t stuck and can change the space as necessary.

As you company grows or shrinks, you can alter the amount of space you rent to ensure that you are only paying for what you need. This is a great way to keep your company agile and make sure that your office is a true reflection of your company. If you needs change, you can change the space you use.

What’s more, a renting a serviced office also means you won’t be paying extra for bills or anything else. It is one simple financial outlay each month, reducing the complexity of your office lease.

Location, location, location

Finally, the importance of location is set to become even more important in 2023 than ever before. Received wisdom says that the most desirable, in-demand office buildings are found in central business districts or financial zones.

In some cases this is still absolutely true – for instance, our space in the centre of Bank, London.

However, in many markets opinions have shifted with hybrid working and ease of commuting taken into account. With these factors in mind, proximity to train stations and road links have become more important for many as cutting down on the commute becomes a key factor for employers looking to attract and retain staff.

Put another way, having experienced the convenience of working from home, people are no longer keen to spend hours fighting their way through a city centre to sit at a desk in a so-called “prestigious” location.

Again, this goes back to giving staff what they actually want rather than what the company has traditionally done for many years. In this case, finding an office which allows people to easily get in and out, cutting down on their commute, will mean a lot more than telling them they work at an “important” address.

Want to learn more about the office market in 2023? Get in touch with our team today and discover our portfolio of available serviced offices to rent by clicking here.