Guide to Modern Office Design & Layouts

Office design is no longer just about desks and partitions. Flexible floor plans, wellbeing-led furnishings and modern office layouts are evolving to support a new era of productivity, creativity and comfort. Whether you're a startup seeking dynamic coworking zones or an established business looking to scale in a furnished office, thoughtful design can have a powerful impact on how your team works.

In this guide, we explore the most popular office layout configurations and design principles that enhance wellbeing and productivity, looking into why furnished office spaces are becoming an increasingly popular choice for growing businesses.

The Rise of Modern Office Design

Workspaces today must do more than simply provide a place to work. The shift to hybrid working, the demand for collaboration, and a growing emphasis on sustainability and wellness have changed the priorities of office design.

Modern office design centres on adaptability, comfort and creating spaces where people want to be. This includes elements such as ergonomic furniture, natural lighting, acoustic considerations, sustainable materials and spaces that support both focused work and collaboration.

Key Principles of Modern Office Interior Design

• Flexibility: Layouts should evolve with your team. Modular furniture, moveable walls and multi-use zones ensure your office can adapt to changing needs.

• Natural light and biophilia: Large windows, plants and natural textures are more than aesthetic. They improve mood, reduce stress and support circadian rhythms.

• Zoned layouts: Break up open-plan areas with quiet zones, breakout spaces and collaboration hubs to give people choice in how they work.

• Tech integration: Built-in charging points, smart lighting and seamless connectivity are key features of a functional modern workspace.

Popular Layout Styles

• Open plan with breakout Zones: Encourages collaboration but must be balanced with quiet corners or acoustic solutions to avoid distractions.

• Activity-based working: Different zones for different tasks – from brainstorming areas to solo booths for calls.

• Desk neighbourhoods: Teams are grouped into dedicated pods, making it easier to collaborate while maintaining some structure.

• Hybrid hot desking: Ideal for companies with flexible working models, reducing square footage while keeping teams connected.

The Value of Furnished Office Space

Furnished offices are gaining popularity among businesses of all sizes. A turnkey solution allows you to move in quickly, avoid the stress of fit-outs, and focus on what matters: growing your business. Crucially, because the space is already prepared, there are no upfront costs, allowing you to preserve capital for where it’s needed most.

At Bruntwood, our furnished offices are designed to reflect the way modern businesses operate. Spaces are fully fitted with ergonomic furniture, high-spec connectivity, breakout zones and stylish, purposeful interiors.

With our in-house design team, we ensure each furnished office is tailored to customer needs, with flexibility to brand your space and scale as you grow. When it comes to paying, everything is consolidated into a simple, all-in-one payment. This makes the space incredibly easy to use and ensures lower upfront costs, providing speed, certainty and long-term value whether you need a few desks or a full floor.

Office Furnishings That Make an Impact

The right furniture plays a critical role in the overall feel and function of your office. Beyond aesthetics, furnishings affect posture, productivity and team dynamics. Today’s businesses prioritise ergonomic chairs and adjustable desks for comfort, acoustic solutions for noise control, natural materials to meet sustainability goals and flexible layouts that allow reconfiguration and growth.

By investing in high-quality office furnishings, businesses can create a workplace that not only looks good, but genuinely supports employee wellbeing and retention.

Destination Highlights: Modern Office Space Across the UK

If your business is looking for a space that’s already expertly designed and move-in ready, explore these standout Bruntwood Places and Bruntwood SciTech locations offering furnished and flexible workspace:

South Central – Manchester

South Central offers design-led workspace in the heart of Manchester’s innovation district, positioned right by Deansgate, providing immediate access to some of Manchester’s best places to eat, drink and socialise.. A characterful space with contemporary finishes, breakout areas, a communal lounge for connecting with others and flexible floor plans, it's ideal for creative and tech-driven teams. 

Thread Works – Manchester

Located in the Knowledge Quarter and the Oxford Road Corridor, the Grade II-listed Thread Works combines exposed brick interiors with high-spec functionality. The building blends heritage with modern interiors, featuring an on-site gym, community events, an auditorium and furnished office options tailored to startups and scaleups in the heart of Manchester. 

King’s House – Manchester

King’s House brings together period charm and contemporary design. Its recent £13m refurbishment delivers modern interiors, biophilic design, communal spaces, a bookable loft space, a kitchen and wellness-focused amenities such as its fitness studio. All right by the Parsonage Gardens Conservation Area, a perfect spot for an outdoor meeting or lunch.

Enterprise Wharf – Birmingham

Enterprise Wharf is a development at the heart of Birmingham’s Knowledge Quarter. It offers state-of-the-art sustainable workspace, with tech-ready design,  on-site parking and access to innovation ecosystem partners, including Aston University, Birmingham City Council and Birmingham City University. Businesses can enjoy event spaces, including a roof terrace, a smart-enabled building for optimised performance, a gym, neighbouring padel courts and a cafe, catering to a comfortable day at work, every day. 

Centre City – Birmingham

At Centre City, a flexible workspace meets a prime location. The building is centred around employee wellness, featuring a welcoming reception and ground floor atrium, sleek interiors, bike storage, a gym, showers and breakout spaces designed with collaboration in mind, all just a minute from New Street Station and five minutes from the Bullring Shopping Centre. 

Mclaren – Birmingham

Mclaren offers bold, open-plan workspace with excellent natural light and custom-fit furnishings, well-suited to businesses that value both visibility and flexibility. With an on-site gym, changing facilities, refurbished lounge and reception areas. The Eastside workspace is located near major train stations, including the future HS2 Curzon Street Station and shopping areas, presenting a comfortable, welcoming workspace. 

Cotton Exchange – Liverpool

Cotton Exchange is a creative hub in a Grade II-listed building in Liverpool’s commercial district, reimagined for modern working. With rooftop gardens, event spaces and flexible office suites, ranging from smaller spaces for start-ups, coworking areas and larger workspaces for established businesses, it offers inspiration at every level.

Landmark – Greater Manchester

Landmark is located in Cheadle Hulme, combining urban accessibility with green surroundings. Its modern, adaptable workspaces are designed for businesses who want room to grow.

Following a recent £1.2 million amenity-led transformation, the building now features a state-of-the-art gym, yoga studio, and a communal café. This investment has reimagined Landmark as a wellness-focused hub, providing premium on-site facilities that support a healthy work-life balance.

Whether you're rethinking your layout or searching for a move-in ready office, Bruntwood’s flexible workspaces and furnished offices provide expert design and scalable solutions. Let your office space reflect your ambition and explore our furnished office space for rent today.