The End of “Safe Design” in Corporate Spaces

18th May, 2026

For years, corporate interiors have been playing it safe.

Neutral palettes, minimal detailing, predictable layouts – environments designed to avoid distraction rather than create impact. The result has been a generation of workplaces that function well, but often feel indistinct.

But that is starting to change.

As organisations compete harder for talent, culture, and identity, workplace design is becoming more expressive again. Colour is returning. Texture is being layered back in. Layouts are becoming more spatially adventurous. In short, businesses are no longer just designing spaces to be efficient – they are designing them to be felt.

This shift is not aesthetic for its own sake. It is strategic. A workplace now has to communicate culture instantly, support different ways of working, and create an environment people genuinely want to spend time in.

Why Risk Is Returning to Workplace Design

The era of “safe design” was driven largely by standardisation, efficiency, and broad corporate appeal. But hybrid working has shifted expectations dramatically. Employees now move between multiple environments every day – home, cafés, coworking spaces, and offices – and are increasingly sensitive to whether a workplace feels energising or flat.

As a result, organisations are beginning to ask a different question: not “what looks appropriate?” but “what actually makes people think, feel, and perform better?” This is where risk-taking interiors are returning – not through chaos or excess, but through intentional boldness. Colour, materiality, lighting, and layout are once again being used to create memorable environments with genuine personality.

Colour is no longer being used purely for branding.

Increasingly, organisations are using it to influence atmosphere, support different working styles, and shape how people experience a space throughout the day. Here are a few examples of how colour has been used effectively across recent workplace projects:

Sustainable Intentions

At the sophisticated London offices of global analytics leader Clarivate, earthy tones were used to create a calmer, more grounded atmosphere that supports both wellbeing and concentration. Combined with extensive planting, recycled materials, and sustainable timber finishes, the palette helps soften the intensity of a highly technology-driven workplace.

Reinforcing Brand Identity

For global tech company MSQ Partners, colour was introduced more selectively throughout their London office. Rather than overwhelming the workspace, branded tones were layered through furniture, meeting spaces, and detailing to create a more refined and consistent identity across the environment.

Aligning With the Building

When EA Sports relocated to Here East, the existing industrial structure became a defining part of the design language. Instead of concealing the building’s bold orange framework, the scheme embraced it – balancing vibrant architectural elements with softer textures and complementary finishes to create a workplace that feels both energetic and usable.

Designing for Identity, Not Just Efficiency

The most effective workplaces today are no longer the safest or most neutral – they are the most intentional.

Across the industry, workplaces are reintroducing material contrast, sculptural forms, layered textures, and more unexpected spatial moments. Breakout spaces feel less formulaic. Meeting areas are becoming more varied in tone and purpose. Even circulation routes are increasingly designed as experiences rather than simply functional connectors.

Ultimately, organisations are recognising that workplace design is not just about operational efficiency anymore. It is about creating spaces that communicate identity, reinforce culture, and give people a stronger emotional connection to where they work.

Want to Design a Workplace that Feels as Strong as it Functions?

Speak to the Maris team about designing a workplace that reflects your culture, supports performance, and leaves a lasting impression on the people using it every day.