Four days packed with everything you could imagine for our future workspaces. We tackled it in 2 days, logging a modest 12 miles on the Apple Health app (still recovering, thanks for asking). That meant weaving through 729 exhibitors across 140,000 sqm of space. Yes, it was as exhausting as it sounds! But it meant we did earned a few Kolsch and a Schweinhaxe as big as your head!
What Did We Learn?
Offices aren’t the dull dens they once were. Hardly a white desk or black, polished ergonomic chair to be seen. Think less sterile cubicles and more playful, adaptable adult playgrounds. You walk in and let the vibe guide you to the right nook for what you want to achieve.
The Visual Feast
We were greeted by a colour palette that whispered subtle sophistication: muted steel shades, claret red, reed green, blue, grey, and, of course, the essentials like white and black. Everything was soft, rounded, and irresistibly inviting from the tables to the seating.. Bouclé fabrics were everywhere, along with what could only be described as “vintage teddy bear” textures. Plus, the abundance of scatter cushions and chunky weaves meant cosy was an understatement. The sustainability angle was strong, with recycled PET boards popping up as screens, planters, pen holders, coasters as well as its original prime function as acoustic wall coverings. More re-use of waste to create new fabrics and materials, such as Hemp and coffee sacks being used to create chairs, waste fabric’s being re-woven into new. We even saw a 3D printer create a coffee table/stool in front of our eyes. And then there was a hungry caterpillar, bouncy stool and a Horse made of chair components which really did steal the show!

Workspaces that Call Your Name
The show was a reminder that you can (and should) create spaces that people are drawn to intuitively. Everywhere you looked there was a workable space you could rock up to and use. Depending on your mood or task in hand you should be able to walk into a space and navigate to a suitable area. Walking towards the bar-height table with a coffee (or wine) to check a few emails on your phone or settling into a cosy lounge chair for an informal catch up, or grabbing a lightweight pouff or mobile chair to join a spontaneous conversation. Or seeking out somewhere a little more private for a break from all the buzz. This is where we saw the phone booths come into their own, handy for those craving a moment of peace from the 50,000 visitors to the show, Ideal sanctuaries to catch up on emails, take a phone or video call.
Takeaways for Our Clients
The real challenge? Making your workplace a magnet for creativity and collaboration. We’re in an era where “the office” is wherever you decide it is. That watercooler moment? It’s not just a corner anymore—it’s the whole workspace.
I remember doing a fit-out once where the tea point was the last thing on the agenda and the first thing to be compromised. These days, this is very much the opposite.












