The office furniture landscape is shifting, with more businesses than ever seeking out and embracing sustainable options.
In 2024, we’re witnessing the largest adoption of sustainable office furniture across the commercial real estate sector. Sustainable materials, take-back programs, and pre-owned, refurbished, and remanufactured options are gaining traction among companies, landlords, brokers, designers, furniture dealerships, and manufacturers alike.
But why the shift? It’s not just about initial cost savings or meeting environmental targets—it’s also about making smarter investments in response to significant changes in how we work, such as the rise of hybrid work models.
Businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of creating lower-carbon spaces by incorporating environmentally friendly furnishings to reduce both costs and their carbon footprint. This is especially true in commercial real estate, where leases that once lasted 8-10 years are now averaging 2-3 years. Landlords, facing higher vacancy rates and lower tenant demand, are often covering the cost of office furniture to remain competitive—a strategy once limited to flex or co-working models.
Looking ahead to 2025, this focus will only intensify. Expect an even greater emphasis on the circular economy, where office furniture not only serves a functional purpose but also tells a story. The idea that “new” is the only option will become outdated, giving rise to a broader mindset that prioritizes sustainability, reuse, cost savings, and longevity in every design decision.
Here are our top ten predictions for the office furniture industry in 2025:
Prediction 1: Using Only New Furnishings Will Feel Outdated
Much like in home design, relying solely on new furnishings in today’s offices is increasingly viewed as outdated. This shift stems from the rise of modern hybrid workspaces, which require more flexibility, customization, and sustainability than mass-produced, brand-new furniture typically offers. The needs of today’s workplaces go beyond aesthetics—businesses want furnishings that adapt to changing layouts, employee needs, and environmental goals. For example, incorporating remanufactured Aeron task chairs or reconfigurable sit/stand desks not only supports ergonomic workstations but also aligns with sustainability efforts, making hybrid office environments both functional and forward-thinking.
Prediction 2: The Rise of the Hybrid Workspace
The traditional office setup, where employees remain seated at the same desk day after day, is quickly becoming obsolete. Hybrid workspaces today are fluid, dynamic, and designed to accommodate a variety of work styles and configurations. This shift requires furniture that can be easily reconfigured, customized, and adapted for different uses. Mass-produced, new furniture, often designed for fixed layouts and singular purposes, struggles to meet the demands of a workforce that may be in the office one day and working remotely the next. Flexibility is key, and furniture solutions like modular desks or portable seating are increasingly in demand to support this evolving work style.
Prediction 3: The Push for Sustainability
Sustainability has evolved from a buzzword to a core element of corporate strategy. Companies are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact, and office furnishings play a critical role in this shift. New furniture, which often comes with a heavy environmental cost—from raw material extraction to production and shipping—does not align with the growing need for eco-conscious solutions. This is where remanufactured and refurbished furniture takes center stage. These options, part of the circular economy, prioritize reuse and refurbishment over disposal, significantly reducing waste and resource consumption. Businesses looking to make a sustainable choice are turning to remanufactured furniture, which offers high-quality, customizable pieces at a fraction of the cost while still meeting corporate sustainability goals.
Prediction 4: Financial Pressures Will Drive Demand for Affordable Furnishings
Rising debt, interest rates, and insurance costs are compelling companies to cut spending, and the high price tag of new office furniture is becoming increasingly unjustifiable. Additionally, with less demand for large office spaces and an increase in remote work, companies are rethinking the necessity of buying new. Remanufactured furniture offers up to 80% cost savings compared to new, without sacrificing style or functionality. As businesses face mounting financial pressures, they’ll be looking for affordable solutions that don’t compromise on quality, leading to an increased demand for refurbished and remanufactured options. We may also see a rise in lower-cost, overseas office furnishings, though this will likely be balanced by concerns over quality and sustainability.
Prediction 5: Previously Owned Furniture Will Have a Breakthrough Year
The stigma around previously owned office furniture is disappearing as businesses embrace the benefits of blending new and remanufactured pieces. The market is flooded with high-quality pre-owned furniture due to office downsizing, creating opportunities for companies to outfit their workspaces in a cost-effective, sustainable way. Blended furnishing models allow businesses to create functional, stylish environments by mixing new furniture in high-visibility areas—such as executive offices or reception—with remanufactured pieces in other spaces. This flexible approach not only reduces costs but also supports sustainability, offering a modern solution to traditional office setups.
Prediction 6: Furniture Standardization Will Include More Remanufactured and Blended Models
As sustainability becomes a priority, manufacturers are embracing circular economy principles. Programs like Steelcase’s Circular by Steelcase now offers remanufactured versions of popular products. For companies standardized on specific brands, incorporating remanufactured options is seamless when using the same manufacturer. Remanufactured furniture matches the quality, aesthetics, and performance of new items, ensuring consistency. Customization options for finishes and fabrics also make it easy to blend new, pre-owned, and remanufactured pieces in one cohesive design.
This shift supports sustainable workspaces without compromising quality or style, setting a new standard for office design. Sustainability focused remanufacturers, such as Envirotech, provide remanufactured workstations and task chairs, customized at scale to reduce costs and environmental footprint. These innovations represent a shift towards a future where remanufactured and blended furnishing models are the new standard in office design.
Prediction 7: Furniture Manufacturers Will Embrace Take-Back and Circular Programs
Furniture manufacturers will increasingly adopt take-back programs to extend product lifespans and reduce waste. Take-back initiatives, like Humanscale’s Refreshed Chair Program reclaim and refurbish used furniture, reintroducing it to the market as high-quality, sustainable options for businesses. These programs support the circular economy by minimizing resource consumption and landfill waste while helping companies meet their sustainability goals. As the industry shifts towards circular practices, manufacturers are providing environmentally responsible and cost-effective solutions that align with modern workspace needs.
Prediction 8: Remanufactured Office Furniture Will Have Its Moment
The shift from a linear to a circular approach in office furnishings is not just a passing trend—it’s becoming a business necessity. The circular office model focuses on reusing, remanufacturing, and refurbishing furniture to extend its lifecycle and reduce environmental impact. Remanufactured office furniture, from workstations to sit/stand desks, meets the needs of modern offices by providing cost-effective, stylish, and sustainable solutions. This approach not only aligns with corporate sustainability goals but also offers flexibility for ever-changing hybrid work environments.
Prediction 9: Ethical Sourcing, Reducing Emissions, and Responsible Supply Chain Management Will Drive C-Suite Decisions
As sustainability becomes more central to corporate strategy, C-suite executives will prioritize ethical sourcing, reducing carbon emissions, and responsible supply chain management in their office furniture choices. Companies will increasingly seek out furniture manufacturers that adhere to these principles, driving demand for products that reflect a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Prediction 10: An Increase in Turn-Key, Furnished Suites Coupled with Shorter Leases
With more companies opting for hybrid work models and shorter office leases, the demand for turn-key, fully furnished suites is expected to grow. These ready-made workspaces, complete with remanufactured and sustainable furnishings, offer flexibility and convenience. Businesses will increasingly favor these furnished suites for their cost-effectiveness and ease of setup, as shorter lease terms become the norm.
Why New Furnishings Alone Are No Longer Enough
The growing trend toward blended furnishing models and circular economy practices underscores a major shift in the way companies approach office furniture. While new furniture still has a place, it’s no longer the default choice for creating flexible, sustainable, and cost-effective workspaces.
Envirotech Office is at the forefront of this movement, offering, space planning and furnishing solutions using a blend of high-quality remanufactured, refurbished and high-quality previously owned office furniture that supports modern hybrid offices. Embracing sustainability and adaptability, Envirotech is helping businesses rethink their approach to office design. Connect with us to learn how a circular office program can benefit your workspace.
