Office design should be more about people's well-being than fashion

Our surroundings affect us more than we may realize in everyday life. You have probably experienced yourself how magnificent nature or impressive architecture can create a very special feeling of joy and energy. In the same way, the right office interior design can foster inspiration, mental surplus, and job satisfaction. That is why office interior design is not only about function - but also about knowing what it takes to make the workspace inviting, well-being enhancing, and motivating.

Good office interior design requires both well-considered space planning and strong office design

Over time, many solid models have been developed for planning office interiors, but even the most well-thought-out plans cannot stand alone. A successful office interior design is only achieved when the plan is combined with a considered design where acoustics, light, colors, shapes, and materials work together harmoniously. When planning and design meet in this way, office environments are created that not only function in practice, but also add energy, calm, and inspiration to the workday - thereby becoming spaces where people thrive and can perform at their best.

Office interior design inspired by nature

When it comes to choosing colors, shapes, and materials, nature is an excellent source of inspiration. Where else do we feel more inspired and energized than in nature? That is why it makes sense to let nature’s principles guide office design. This does not mean that the office interiors of the future must be filled with plants and babbling streams, but rather that we can beneficially integrate nature’s best elements as a solid foundation for a harmonious and productive work environment.

Office acoustics

Out in nature, hundreds of people can sit close together and hold different conversations without being distracted by one another. In modern open-plan offices, the situation is unfortunately different. Here, sound reflects between walls, ceilings, and floors, creating what acousticians call standing waves. This results in a noisy work environment where focus is easily lost and where both well-being and inspiration are diminished.

Although open offices can never fully match nature’s favorable acoustics, it is possible to achieve something similar. With strategically placed acoustic absorbers, it is possible to create a controlled sound experience that promotes both well-being and effective communication.

It is therefore wise to incorporate acoustics into the interior design from the very beginning. To imitate nature’s acoustics, concepts such as reverberation time, the Lombard effect, and speech intelligibility must be addressed. This can become somewhat abstract. That is why our acoustics expert has spent many years simplifying these challenges - and he is happy to help. So feel free to write to Christian if noise is an issue:

Office interior design and lighting design

When it comes to lighting design in office interiors, nature can once again serve as a valuable source of inspiration. Not because we should recreate a beautiful sunset, but because the purity, variation, and shadows of daylight make us feel more comfortable and inspired. Therefore, elements such as light quality, effects, shadows, color temperature, and luminance contrast should be considered. Of course, precise lighting calculations may be necessary, but they do not in themselves create good lighting. Uninspiring light can easily meet requirements and comply with the Danish Working Environment Authority’s guidelines - without contributing positively to the work environment.

Lighting, like acoustics, is a core competence at Grape. In fact, one of our owners is among Denmark’s best at “playing with light.” So feel free to call and ask for Frank if you would like to learn more about how lighting can create inspiring environments. You can also send Frank an email:

The color palette of office interiors

Colors affect us at least as much as light and acoustics. That is why color theory also plays a central role in good office interior design. Studies show that red can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and the release of stress hormones. Nevertheless, some are tempted by its ability to artificially stimulate energy. Something similar applies to strong yellow shades - nature’s second warning color - which can feel uncomfortable and disturbing in a work environment. As the goal is rarely to create stress, Grape instead recommends a more harmonious color palette inspired by nature. Blue tones are often associated with calm, focus, and stability, while green shades create balance and a sense of freshness. Golden and earthy colors add warmth and security without dominating the space. When these colors are combined consciously and with an understanding of their psychological effect, they support well-being, concentration, and an aesthetically inviting work environment.

Form in office environments

Nature contains few sharp edges, and our experience shows that soft, organic shapes create a more welcoming and calming atmosphere. In addition, rounded furniture often makes interior design more flexible. For example, a curved sofa or reception desk can easily be placed diagonally in a room, creating a dynamic yet harmonious office environment.

The high-backed Grape Sofa is a good example of how rounded forms contribute to a greater sense of security. In fact, you should stop by and try sitting in it. You will then feel for yourself how its soft embrace creates a very special sense of comfort.

We do not necessarily recommend that everything in an office interior should be round and soft. Less can also be enough. The molo cloud lamp in the interior above is, for example, a good illustration of how a single, well-chosen design element with soft shapes can make an otherwise strict interior warm and inviting.

Material choices in office interiors

It almost goes without saying that our recommendations generally also favor organic materials over synthetic ones. Linoleum, cork, wood, and stone, for example, are preferred over laminate and plastic. And surfaces that pretend to be something they are not almost give us nervous twitches. So if, for example, you want to decorate an entire wall with a print, choose an image of nature rather than imitating concrete or wood.

Screens improve acoustics and make your office interior more flexible

Open-plan offices by definition face acoustic challenges. For every acoustic screen you add to the interior, disruptive speech in the open office is reduced. As a result, conversations that are not relevant become less distracting. When you use movable screens, the interior also becomes more flexible and dynamic, which fits well with contemporary workplace design models.

Office furniture developed for the Activity-Based Workplace and hybrid working life

As previously mentioned, there are many solid models for planning good office interiors. One of them is called the Activity-Based Workplace. At Grape, we believe this model makes so much sense that we felt compelled to develop the first Danish furniture series that makes it easy to design shared workstations straight out of the box. The series consists of Grape Desk with a removable felt drawer, the acoustic Grape Cabinet shelving unit with space for the removable drawer from Grape Desk, as well as Grape Dock, a universal docking station for laptops.

For working from home and the hybrid working life, we have also developed Grape Dining, a height-adjustable table, so that the comfort and ergonomics of a sit-stand desk can be achieved without compromising the aesthetics of a tasteful private interior.

Get good advice for your office interior

Are you considering how your office could function better - aesthetically, functionally, and in terms of well-being? At Grape, we are happy to share our experience and provide concrete ideas for interior design that create value in everyday life. Contact us and get qualified sparring on your challenges.