The percentage of employed individuals in the European Union who usually worked from home more than doubled, rising from 5.4% in 2019 to 12.3% in 2020¹. However, the lockdown measures imposed in 2020 forced businesses and employees to adapt to remote work rapidly.

In September 2020, we surveyed hundreds of people in six European countries to try to understand the feelings held by workers as they contemplate a potential return to office working in 2021. You can read our report The Office Awaits: Reinventing the workplace for a post-pandemic future.

We asked respondents in the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden about the impact of their homeworking experience in 2020. We dug deeply into the emotional shock of such a disruptive change. And we sought to find clarity on what will be needed to encourage European workers back into shared office spaces.

Office Utilisation in 2020: The Immediate Impact of COVID-19

At the start of the pandemic, government-imposed lockdowns led to an unprecedented shift in work patterns. By 2020, our survey found 70%² of all workers were delivering at least some of their work from home.

Businesses adopted remote work policies out of necessity, with many companies re-evaluating their long-term strategies concerning office space requirements.

Post-Pandemic Transition

As governments began lifting restrictions, companies started to encourage a return to the office. Many organisations adopted hybrid working models, allowing employees to split their time between home and the office.

Interestingly, at the time of our survey in 2020, 64% of UK workers believed the pandemic upheaval brought about an end to open-plan working environments. But workers in Finland (77%), Spain (57%), Sweden (80%) and Norway (86%) overwhelmingly thought open plan offices would play an enduring role in our careers.

By March 2023, European office occupancy had increased slightly but remained well below pre-pandemic levels, averaging around 55%³. While some businesses mandated office attendance, many employees resisted a full return, citing improved work-life balance, reduced commuting expenses, and greater productivity at home as key reasons for preferring remote work.

The concept of hybrid working became increasingly popular, however, 90% of our survey respondents said face-to-face and collaborative working was either very or sometimes important in their professional life. This view indicated a shift in workplace culture, as employees sought flexibility while maintaining some degree of in-person collaboration.

Office Design in 2025 and beyond

By 2025, the European office market saw a continued, albeit partial, recovery. A 2024 survey indicated that 61% of companies reported office utilisation rates between 41% and 80%, an improvement from previous years. Additionally, 43% of employees were going into the office at least three days a week, up 6% from 2023⁴.

While the physical office remains an important part of professional life, successfully encouraging workers back into the office will require a need to reflect a new era of work in which flexibility and adaptability are key.  Almost three-quarters (72%²) of workers want their employers to bring a more relaxed design and style to the company office. If employees are associating increases in productivity through homeworking with more relaxed working environments, this is an understandable reaction. It’s also worth designers considering how office environments can better support neurodiverse employees. Read Designing Neuro-Inclusive Office Spaces: Supporting Well-Being and Productivity.

Key Office Interior Design Factors

The challenge of rebuilding office confidence is something designers and architects will be faced with for each new office or refresh. Those businesses who invest in their office design are likely to become more attractive companies able to recruit higher calibre candidates. The following key office design factors should be considered:

1. Hybrid Work Models & Flexibility

• Offices are now designed to accommodate both in-person and remote workers with hot-desking and shared workspaces instead of assigned desks.
• Collaboration zones for team meetings and quiet areas for focused work.

2. Technology Integration

• Advanced video conferencing setups to support hybrid meetings.
• High-speed internet and seamless connectivity across workspaces.

3. Employee Well-being & Mental Health

• Biophilic design (greenery, natural light, and open spaces) to reduce stress. Check out this case study of a Biophilic Office Design.
• Hygienic materials used for interiors and furniture, plus improved air quality and ventilation systems for better health.

4. Work-Life Balance & Comfort

• Casual lounge areas for informal meetings and relaxation.
• On-site fitness facilities and standing desks.

5. Corporate Culture & Branding

• Customised office designs reflecting company identity, culture and values.
• Open and transparent layouts to promote collaboration and inclusivity.

The current trend suggests that hybrid working is here to stay. Although office occupancy has risen from its 2020 low, it has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, and it is unlikely that traditional five-day office attendance will make a full comeback in most industries. This presents an opportunity for those businesses retaining their office space to create a flexible and collaborative environment to welcome employees new and old.

Discover how using the Formica^® Collection allows designers to use hygienic, durable materials to create an interior design that rebuilds office confidence by delivering a cohesive interior office design.

References:
1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1239995/working-from-home-europe/
2. The Office Awaits: Reinventing the workplace for a post-pandemic future
3. https://www.rics.org/news-insights/wbef/the-outlook-for-office-markets-towards-a-two-tiered-system
4. https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2024/07/25/world-of-hr-office-occupancy-in-europe-is-rising-report-finds