Creating offices that bring people closer: 4 simple and smart solutions

Setting the stage for connection — beyond the holidays

December is here, bringing that urge to gather, share, and slow down just a little. While offices are, first and foremost, places for productivity, they should also be spaces for meaningful human connection.

Where are we most likely to exchange brilliant ideas, chat about last night's game, and strengthen team bonds? Often, it’s not in front of a screen, but over a cup of coffee, standing in a doorway, or during an impromptu hallway meeting.

That’s why the office should be more than just a place to work. It should be a hub of energy, shared ideas, and connection; and when thoughtfully designed, it speaks to the human element and fosters a more relational form of productivity.

Here are 4 concrete tactics to transform your work environment into a genuine gathering place—one where people want to be—long after the festive season has passed.

The art of the informal welcome

One of the biggest design trends in modern offices is the "hotelification" of the workspace. Entrances and transition areas are no longer just places to wait. They have become a positive friction point that encourages impromptu encounters.

The Challenge: We’ve lost the habit of greeting each other at the start of the day.

The Hamster Solution:

Design a dedicated transition zone right at the entrance of your office.

• Furniture: Skip the cold, rigid seating. Opt for a comfortable banquette or lounge chairs. We offer a wide variety of modular and colorful options to instantly inject energy into the space.
  
  
• Atmosphere: Use soft lighting instead of aggressive fluorescents and install a coffee table with a few magazines or books relating to your industry.
  
  
• The Game-Changer Detail: Install a whiteboard or notice board visible to everyone. This board isn't for task lists, but for social messages: the day's activity, a lighthearted question to spark discussion, or photos from the latest internal event.
  
  

Did You Know?

According to 2026 design trends, well-being in the office, including conviviality, is a major driver of productivity.

Privacy alcoves for casual conversations

One of the main obstacles to open exchange in open-plan offices is the lack of acoustic and visual privacy. People are often afraid of disturbing others or being overheard.

The Observation: Important informal conversations are often postponed, or people will retreat to oversized, impersonal meeting rooms.

The Hamster Solution

Multiply the number of semi-enclosed spaces or acoustic alcoves.

• The Setup: Use aesthetic, easy-to-move acoustic panels or screens. This isn't an office, but a discussion refuge for 2 or 3 people.
  
  
• The Comfort: Include small side tables and all the necessary gear for quick note-taking.
  
  
• The Goal : Create mini-bubbles that encourage spontaneous exchanges, whether professional (a quick brainstorm on a project) or personal (Who did you draw for Secret Santa this year?).
  
  

Modular storage and flexibility for a team-focused space

A fixed, rigid space discourages reorganization. To bring people together, they must be able to adapt the space to the task at hand.

The Challenge: Tables are heavy, chairs are fixed. The layout remains the same whether you're planning a meeting for 10 or a discussion for 3.

The Hamster Solution

Invest in furniture on wheels and smart storage.

• The Foundation: Light and easily movable work tables; stackable chairs to quickly free up floor space.
  
  
• Collaborative Gear: Integrate mobile whiteboards. They can double as quick space dividers or as an idea wall. Discover our models of whiteboards on wheels—essential for successful brainstorm sessions.
  
  
• The Result: You can transform a work zone into a creative workshop in under 5 minutes. This flexibility strengthens cohesion because teams physically build their environment based on their needs.
  
  

Resimercial design or how to make the office feel "like home"

Resimercial design (a portmanteau of residential and commercial) is a top office trend. The idea is simple: if people feel good there, they stay longer and interact more naturally.

The Observation: A cold, clinical environment inhibits relaxation and authentic exchange.

The Hamster Solution:

Inject warmth and life.

• Nature: Incorporate plants, which are proven to reduce stress and increase well-being. Use unique planters to add color naturally to your office.
  
  
• Materials: Prioritize natural textures (wood, soft fabrics) and calming colours.
  
  
• The Human Touch: Encourage employees to personalize their corner with framed art, photos, or decorative items. A space that tells a story is a space that invites connection.
  
  

In conclusion, creating an office that brings people closer isn't about installing closer tables; it's about creating more reasons to stop, talk, and collaborate effortlessly. The physical environment is your company's primary non-verbal communication tool.

Our team puts its expertise at the service of your workspaces, with supplies and furniture designed for their versatility, quality, and ability to adapt to your relational needs.

Your Next Smart Step:

Explore our selection of modular and acoustic furniture—the foundation for a workspace that inspires exchange and collective intelligence.