With its lounge-feels, thoughtful adjustability, and plush, natural upholstery options, Room & Board for Business’ Jude brings “soft office” energy into both corporate workplaces and stylish WFH setups.

Michelle Weiss, Publisher of Work Design Magazine, and Nicole Zack, Design Manager and Workplace Strategist at Ted Moudis Associates, spent several days working from Jude, evaluating comfort, adjustability, and user experience across a range of tasks and settings. Here’s what we learned.

First Impressions: A Cozy, Elevated Presence

Jude immediately stands out for its comfy residential, almost lounge-chair-like character. The profile is clean and inviting, with a generously sized seat and back that feel more “living room” than “board room.”

What won us over first was the seat pan which is wide, supportive, and dressed in a 4″+ cushion that feels intentionally plush.

It’s like working in a lounge chair that’s been lifted to task height.

If your design aesthetic leans toward comfortable minimalism or warm modern interiors, Jude fits right in.

The Run Down

Jude is super comfortable and supportive.

Overall Experience: Reviewers agree Jude is a nice change from a typical task chair, it’s very roomy and plush across both the seat and back.

It’s Made for You: There are 235 fabric options to choose from!

‘View In Your Space’ Feature on the Website: This tool helps interior designers confidently specify the product by seeing how the chair’s fabric chooses, dimensions and form integrate with their palette, layout, and lighting before finalizing selections.

Sustainable Fabric: Slightly textural but still soft, this twill fabric is made from thick yarns in a classic diagonal pattern with a bit of heathering. The Derry neutral chair we reviewed is a GREENGUARD Gold Certified® Revolution® fabric.

Wellbeing Bonus: For designers selecting products that support neuroinclusive, relaxed-focus environments, Jude is a strong contender.

Additional Standout Feature: Intuitive & Easy to Reach Controls

Room & Board for Business made a smart choice here: keep the controls simple and easy to find.

Every adjustment felt intuitive, with no guesswork about what each lever or knob would do. Adjustability isn’t over-engineered as the chair gets you to a comfortable, task-ready position quickly. There’s even some cozy, built-in lumbar support.

Designer-to-Designer: What You Should Know

This chair isn’t a fit for every application, and ergonomically it doesn’t offer all the adjustments you’d expect from a traditional, all day task chair. That said, that’s part of its strength. It’s well-suited for library, conference room, guest space or quiet room settings in the workplace where people want a change of pace from their primary workstation, or in a home office where comfort and a residential look are priorities.

Treat Yourself this Season!

Jude delivers an impressive blend of coziness, function, and design sophistication. It offers the kind of plush, supportive seating that makes long stretches of focused work feel easy and the aesthetic that makes a workspace feel intentionally curated.

With the holidays around the corner, Jude also happens to make a fantastic home-office upgrade. If your workspace wish list includes comfort, style, and a bit of indulgence, this chair deserves a spot under (or next to) the tree. Order yours here.

Images courtesy of Room & Board and our reviewers.

The post Chair of the Month Review: Jude by Room & Board for Business appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Therefore, we curated an Amazon-ready list of smart, stylish, and surprisingly affordable options your design-obsessed friends and colleagues will actually use. From desk-worthy tools to creative indulgences, these picks are Work Design team-approved and guaranteed to spark joy (and maybe even a little envy at the studio).

Smart Self Heating Coffee Mug 

With a patented heating technology, it can heat without coaster. When no water, the mug will automatically stop heating for safety. Rechargeable smart mug can last 5-10 hours, It can keep the drink warm all day long when on the charging coaster, The heating temperature range is 86-149℉. You can adjust the temperature directly through the touch button on the smart coffee mug and the LEGARDLILIU APP on your phone. Keep your coffee temperature constant.

Amazon Price at Publication: $112

Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment

One of our favorite thought leaders in workplace design, Kay Sargent, released her book, Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment. This book explores how to employ strategic spatial zoning and sequencing, sensory zones, patterns, textures, colors, lighting, and soundscaping to create spaces that cater to the various sensory needs of neurodivergent individuals, who now make up 1/5 of the world’s population.

Amazon Price at Publication: $25

Logitech Ergonomic Wireless Mouse

The Logitech MX Master 4 is an ergonomic, high-performance wireless mouse built for comfort and productivity. Its sculpted shape supports your hand during long work sessions, while the MagSpeed wheel delivers ultra-fast, precise scrolling. The mouse features customizable haptic feedback, quiet clicks for a more focused workspace, and seamless connectivity through Bluetooth or a USB-C receiver.

Amazon Price at Publication: $120

Ergonomic Mouse Pad

The KUOSGM Ergonomic Mouse Pad is designed to help reduce wrist strain and improve comfort during long computer sessions. With an 8-degree inclined slope and raised massage bumps, it promotes airflow to keep your wrist dry while easing tension. The interior features a slow-rebound memory-gel core that gently cushions your wrist without deforming, and the soft fabric surface offers smooth, precise tracking for optical, laser, or wireless mice.

Amazon Price at Publication: $20

C CUSHION LAB Seat Cushion

This cushion is ergonomically shaped by in-house designers to cradle your thighs and hips and help you maintain a better posture. It’s made from extra-dense charcoal memory foam, which offers cloud-like support while resisting odors. The cushion’s design distributes your body weight more evenly, helping to relieve pressure on your tailbone and lower back—especially useful during long sessions in an office chair, car, or even a wheelchair.

Amazon Price at Publication: $60

The Endless Art Challenge Card Deck

The The Endless Art Challenge Card Deck is a creative toolkit of 90 prompt cards, designed to help artists of all skill levels overcome creative block and spark new ideas. Divided into three categories — subject matter, color inspiration, and wild cards. Each card also features artwork from one of 90 different artists around the world, offering both visual inspiration and a chance to discover new creative voices.

Amazon Price at Publication: $18

LED Desk Lamp

This Architect LED Desk Lamp is a sleek, modern task light built for both style and eye comfort. It features a dual-light bar and a fully adjustable swing arm with seven rotating joints, giving you precise control over its position and angle. The lamp offers 4 color temperature modes and 5 brightness levels, so you can customize the lighting from warm to daylight tones depending on your needs. A built-in memory function lets the lamp return to your preferred settings each time you turn it on.

Amazon Price at Publication: $40

Mini 3D Printer

The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is a compact but powerful 3D printer that supports multi-color printing, making it ideal for versatile, creative projects. It offers high precision and speed, combined with full-auto calibration and active flow rate compensation to ensure consistent print quality. The printer runs quietly (≤ 48 dB), making it more office- or studio-friendly, and its build volume of 256 × 256 × 256 mm provides a generous workspace for a mini machine.

Amazon Price at Publication: $200

Cloudnola Reversible Glass Flower Vase and Bud Vase Lemon

Whether it is a centerpiece for a table, or event, or you just want to display a few beautiful stems, the Cloudnola reversible glass vases are versatile to fit your needs. With a colorful combination of options and the ability to preserve the lifespan of a bouquet, these vases will make the perfect gift for any occasion or add a pop of color to your home.

Amazon Price at Publication: $70

mooas 3D LED Clock

This 3D clock is a bold and modern wall clock that combines digital functionality with sleek design. Measuring about 15.3″ wide, this clock features a large “3D module” LED display that shows time, date, and temperature, and it supports both 12- and 24-hour formats. It includes a remote control for easy adjustments—like setting an alarm, switching display modes, or changing brightness across three levels (high, medium, low). Thanks to a built-in light sensor, the clock can also automatically dim when the room gets dark.

Amazon Price at Publication: $39

The Work Design Magazine team carefully and independently curated these products and we may earn affiliate revenue from purchases made via links in this content. The prices listed reflect the price at the time of publication. Thank you in advance and happy shopping!

The post 2025 Gift Guide for Architects and Interior Designers appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

The world of workplace pods is vast – from ultra-acoustic focus booths to agile phone units that move as fast as teams do. Before jumping into specs or purchases, it’s crucial to understand what your client or your coworking space really needs from these flexible, enclosed spaces.

Below are five expert-level considerations that ensure you’re recommending the right pod — one that aligns with the project’s goals, budget, and brand story.

Plus we share some of our favorite pods on the market from:

 

 

Mind the Airflow

Pods can feel stuffy fast. Confirm whether ventilation is active (fans) or passive (vents), and align with HVAC teams to maintain comfort standards.

Check the Decibel Data

Go beyond “soundproof” labels. On certified acoustic reports, look for dB(A) reduction ratings.

Don’t Forget ADA & Clearance Requirements

Ensure door widths, turning radii, and threshold heights meet code before finalizing layouts and purchases.

Finish Coordination Matters

Select finishes that complement your palette; pods should integrate seamlessly, not stand apart.

Think Beyond Installation Day

Clarify maintenance, warranty, and tech servicing responsibilities and resources upfront – especially for pods with lighting or ventilation systems.

Leading Pods in the Market

ROOM Phone Booth by ROOM

The ROOM Phone Booth, along with the full suite of ROOM’s modular office products, has received a certified autism resource badge from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) supporting neurodiversity in the workspace. The Phone Booth is designed to reduce sensory overload, providing a calm, controlled environment perfect for neurodiverse individuals, facilitating concentration and reducing stress in dynamic workplace settings.

Sustainability Highlights

All ROOM products are built out of recycled materials and replace multiple cycles of construction. We’ve saved tens of millions of plastic bottles from reaching a landfill. By thinking cyclically, we’re helping to reduce the near 600 million tons of construction and demolition waste created each year. Plus, our products have been tested for over 10k chemicals, and have met rigorous low-emissions standards supporting healthy office environments.

Key Features

• Exterior Dimensions: W 41.5” x D 43.8” x H 88.8”  
• Installation time: 60 minutes or less. One tool. Two team members.
• Acoustic rating in dB: Three layers of sound insulation made from recycled materials, including 100% natural breathable wool and no-dye-added acoustic felt, reduce noise by 30 decibels.
• Lighting details: An overhead LED light strip powered by a motion-activated smart sensor ensures bright ideas don’t stay in the dark.
• Air ventilation details: Each booth comes equipped with two ultra-quiet fans that wholly replenish air every 60 seconds. Discreet airflow inlet constantly pulls in fresh air while two ceiling fans push warm air out, keeping the air inside fresh at all times.

Top 3 Customizable Options

• Choice of a crisp White Phone Booth exterior with an off-white powder coated metal or sleek Black Grey powder coated metal exterior. Both “Light” and “Dark” Phone Booths come with oak accents.
• Each Phone Booth is flat-packed for seamless delivery and assembly. Your choice of DIY or professional assembly available. No hardwiring required. All it takes is one tool, one hour, and two team members.
• Available with Expedited Delivery options for quick shipping.

*Pricing depends on location. Contact ROOM for pricing.

LEARN MORE

hushFree.S.Hybrid Pod by Hushoffice

The hushFree.S.Hybrid acoustic pod is designed for longer video conferences, meetings and online presentations. The booth comes standard with a comfortable free-standing sofa and ergonomic desk. It allows for longer individual work or video meetings. The aesthetically designed LED side lighting of the user’s face ensures that he or she is even more visible during video meetings. HushAssistant – touchscreen module for changing to the color and intensity of the light (2200-6500 K), the speed of the fans, and gives the possibility to manage the reservations.

Sustainability Highlights

Lightweight cardboard boxes that can be easily recycled; environmentally conscious component suppliers; wood-based components with an Environmental Product Declaration (ISO 14025), PEFC Certified (PEFC/04-31-2920).

Key Features

• Exterior Dimensions (W x D x H): 48.97 x 35.43 x 90.53 in
• Installation time: about 2 hours by two persons
• Acoustic rating in dB: 30,2 dB according to ISO 23351-1:2020
• Lighting details: LED ceiling light 20W / 4000 K, lm – 2300; lux – min. 300 / medium 500 / max. 700. Adjusted in the range of 2200 – 6500K. Integrated 3.5W LED strips x2 (adjustable, 4000k).
• Air ventilation details: 2 fans x 80 m3/h with a maximum airflow 94 CFM. Total air exchange 39 seconds, 92 l/s.

Top 3 Customizable Options

• Inside panels available in 8 timeless colors, and body color available in two options
• Screen  brackets
• Occupancy sign

*Pricing is individualized and depends on region and product configuration.

LEARN MORE

CALL-1 by JUUNOO

Whether you need privacy for a call or a moment to recharge, the Call 1 booth provides a secure, quiet space for clear and uninterrupted conversations and video meetings. With a streamlined design and minimal silhouette, JUUNOO Pods blend naturally into any workspace.

Sustainability Highlights

Designed with circularity in mind, every booth is built to be reused or reconfigured, helping create a truly sustainable workspace. Our materials are sourced in Belgium and selected for durability, recyclability, and a low environmental impact.

Key Features

• Exterior Dimensions (W x D x H): 44” × 43 3/4” × 89 3/8”
• Installation time: 45 minutes
• Acoustic rating: 30 db
• Lighting details: Adjustable light dimmer up to 700 lm
• Air ventilation details: Multiple fans fully refresh air every 60 seconds

Top Customizable Options

Our standard exterior finishes come in black or white, with full customization available by request.

*Starting Price 5495 USD

LEARN MORE

Om Pod by National

Kolo 1 Pod by National

Designed to offer a choice for privacy in open settings, Kolo Pods are an ideal solution for working, learning, and healing spaces. Employees and guests appreciate spaces that can flex to support focus as well as collaboration. Kolo Pods give your team control over their environment, with no contractor required. Every pod (except our ADA-compliant model) is equipped with easy-to-use rollers, so you can move them anywhere in your office, even after installation.

Closing Thoughts

As offices evolve into ecosystems of focus, collaboration, and choice, pods are becoming an essential design tool — but not all pods are created equal. Taking into account the right considerations upfront ensures that your solution delivers on comfort, compliance, and culture – not just square footage.

The post Specifying Pods Like a Pro appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Meet Ignition 2.0 with Spectrum Mesh

The HON Company’s Ignition 2.0 has long been a dependable choice in performance seating; with this latest update featuring the Spectrum Mesh version, HON brings together bold aesthetics, ergonomic comfort and sustainability in a package that fits modern corporate workspaces.

The Rundown

The chair had excellent ergonomics, and the lumbar support made long periods of sitting much easier.

Adjustable Arms: Height adjustments allow a tailored fit for different users or postures.

Seat Comfort: Synchro-tilt control help ensure the chair accommodates upright work and relaxed recline.

Mesh Back: The Spectrum Mesh supports airflow and natural lumbar curve while allowing the body to move, rather than feeling “locked in”.

Ships Quick: Ignition 2.0 in Spectrum Mesh is also part of the HON NOW quick-ship program, shipping in just two weeks

Sustainability Story: The mesh contains 20 % post-consumer recycled polyester. Plus it meets OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (free of harmful chemicals and 100 % free of heavy metals).

What We Loved Most

Design & Aesthetics

The simple form and clean lines of the chair made everyone stop and ask where it was from, and the pop of color was an added bonus!

One of the standout first impressions of the Ignition 2.0 Spectrum Mesh is the bold color palette. The Spectrum Mesh option comes in 22 curated hues ranging from neutrals (Linen, Quicksand) to vibrant tones (Cobalt, Bullseye, Key Lime) giving specifiers and designers a broad palette to match brand, culture, interior décor.

Fun color options and a variety of styles conveniently within the same line.

The Ignition 2.0 chair that we reviewed was an eye-catching Cobalt Blue mesh and seat. From the perspective of modern workplace aesthetics, where monochromatic  color schemes are trending, the bold yet restrained options here give a clean, unified look.

Additional Standout Features

We also like the fact that Ignition 2.0 comes not only in the standard task version that we reviewed but also cafe stools, multipurpose stacking and sled base chairs, and a big-and-tall task chair. The enables flexibility across a variety of use-cases (private, collaborative, and creative environments) which is a plus for workplace designers juggling multiple settings.

The “View it in My Space” configurator was another standout component on the website because it allows designers to visualize the Ignition 2.0 chair at true scale in the actual environment using augmented reality. This tool helps interior designers confidently specify the product by seeing how the chair’s color (since there are many great options), scale, and form integrate with their palette, layout, and lighting before finalizing selections.

Special Thanks to Our DLR Group Co-Reviewers

Elly Franklin, Interior Designer

Brendan Bell, Interior Designer

Images courtesy of Hon and DLR Group.

Curious about what it was like to work from Ignition 2.0? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

Want more options from The Hon Company?

Check out our Review of Flexion ->

The post Chair of the Month Review: Ignition 2.0 by Hon appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

The systems established by Tarkett’s SourceOne® turnkey service program and its ReStart® take-back and recycling program laid the foundation, but those systems are only as strong as the partners who support them. 

Carpet is one of the most common design elements in corporate interiors—and one of the most frequent contributors to landfill waste. For decades, the end of life for broadloom and carpet tile was simple: cut it up, load it in a dumpster, and send it away. But what if those old floors could have a second life?

Across the industry, innovators are proving that they can. Tarkett’s ReStart® take-back and recycling program is pioneering new ways to reclaim and recycle old flooring, turning waste into resources. At the heart of these efforts are countless unsung heroes—flooring contractors who are rolling up their sleeves, working with the manufacturer to establish new processes, and setting examples for what circularity looks like in action.

Building a New Model for Flooring Reclamation

For years, Dave Knaub, owner of Flooring Foundation in New Jersey, had been removing carpet as part of routine renovation projects. The process was straightforward but wasteful: pull it up, haul it out, throw it away. That changed when sustainability leaders, along with his partnership with Tarkett, inspired him to commit to a better way.

As a longtime supplier with Tarkett’s SourceOne division, providing turnkey services for deinstallation, reclamation, and installation for major accounts, Dave was no stranger to the company’s ReStart program. He’d also worked closely with Rachel Palopoli, Tarkett’s director of circular economy, and the two had frequent conversations about how to reduce construction waste and their personal commitments to living and working more sustainably. After a few months of planning, Dave took what he knew about flooring recycling, worked with Rachel to refine a few details, and built recycling into a fully integrated service model for all his clients. Today, he offers recycling as a standard component of his contracting services and recently expanded his business with a dedicated reclamation facility, where deinstalled materials are staged, stored, and sorted for their next life. For anything that can’t be reused, he knows that Tarkett’s ReStart program will likely have a solution.

“It’s about more than removing carpet. It’s about making sure it gets somewhere it can do good, instead of ending up in the ground.”

 – Dave Knaub, Owner of Flooring Foundation Corp

Creating Value Through Reuse

Not all carpet pulled from an office space is ready for the recycling stream. Much of it can be reused outright, extending its life in creative ways.

Dave and his team have found strong demand for high-quality, second-use flooring products in settings like apartment buildings, where owners accustomed to lower-grade broadloom are thrilled to find premium carpet tile at a fraction of the cost. For corporate clients, reclaimed carpet often finds its way into back-of-house areas, keeping the most visible spaces fresh while ensuring nothing usable goes to waste.

This growing reuse market isn’t without challenges. Once a pallet of reclaimed carpet is gone, it’s gone—making proactive inventory management and close collaboration with specifiers essential. But the payoff is clear: on a typical project, up to 40% of carpet can be reused, and in some cases, the reuse rate reaches as high as 60%.

Partnership Is the Key to Removing Barriers

The success of these takeback initiatives depends on more than just one stakeholder. Contractors like Dave play a central role, but architects, designers, and manufacturers all have to work together to make circularity practical.

Dave has quickly been able to train his team to identify which materials can be recycled back to the manufacturer, which can be cleaned and reused, and which need to move through alternative reclamation streams. The result is a cost-neutral approach: when Dave manages both deconstruction and installation, reclamation comes at no added cost to the client—removing the common excuse that “it’s too expensive to recycle.” Dave shared, “By integrating reclamation into our services, we’re removing the barriers for clients. It costs no more than a dumpster but delivers so much more value.” 

For architects and designers, that partnership is critical. They can specify new Tarkett products for front-of-house spaces while reserving reclaimed materials for back-of-house areas, ensuring clients get both design impact and sustainability wins.

Innovation Spotlight: The Various Paths to Circularity

For flooring that isn’t suitable for reuse, Tarkett has several recycling options through its innovative ReStart program, depending on the material. As the company shares, every type of material has its own path to circularity, and Tarkett is actively innovating solutions for each of its product categories. For example, Tarkett’s ethos® carpet tile backing now has a closed-loop circular solution, meaning the backing of every ethos carpet tile collected through ReStart is recycled into new ethos carpet tile backing. Through a partnership with Avery Automats, all vinyl sheet and tile products collected through ReStart become raw materials for new automotive products. And now through the power of mushrooms, reclaimed broadloom and Powerbond® hybrid carpet are transformed into new biobased raw materials, which is slated to be used in future Tarkett products. Recently, Dave and Rachel partnered to take old broadloom carpet out of a global financial institution and, through ReStart, the material is being processed using this technology.

Each of these approaches underscores Tarkett’s commitment to forging new paths to circularity, proving that even the most stubborn materials can be reimagined when  companies partner with each other around shared values.

A Changing Landscape of Legislation

These efforts are not happening in isolation. Across the U.S., lawmakers are beginning to require manufacturers and contractors to take responsibility for flooring at end of life. Due to legislation requirements, California’s carpet recycling rate now hovers above 40%, compared to less than 5% in most of the country. In New York, a new extended producer responsibility (EPR) law is slated to take effect in 2026—and Dave’s company is ready to support it.

For designers working in corporate interiors, this is a glimpse of the future. Circularity won’t be optional – it will be expected. Tarkett’s ReStart program, and the contractors already embracing it, are building the infrastructure today that will make compliance tomorrow both achievable and cost-effective. According to Dave, “This work has opened doors I never expected — from architects to Fortune 500 sustainability officers. Circularity is no longer a side conversation, it’s the future.” 

The Human Side of Sustainability

For Dave, the work goes beyond compliance or even innovation. It’s about pride. “It feels fantastic to know we’re keeping this material out of landfills,” he says. “It validates all the extra effort.”

That extra effort—stopping to palletize old carpet rather than tossing it—is what makes the difference. Small actions, multiplied across projects and partners, create the systemic change needed for the industry to truly close the loop.

“We’re proving that circular economy solutions don’t just work in theory – they work at scale, and they work today.” 

 – Dave Knaub, Owner of Flooring Foundation Corp

Looking Ahead

Every year, Flooring Foundations and SourceOne divert hundreds of thousands of pounds of carpet from landfill. With new partnerships forming, legislative drivers accelerating, and Tarkett continuing to pioneer next-generation recycling technologies, that impact is only set to grow.

Circularity in corporate interiors isn’t a dream for the future—it’s already happening. And it’s happening because contractors, designers, and manufacturers are choosing to work together.

Tarkett is proud to lead this movement by investing in innovation and collaborating with partners across the industry who help make the concept of circularity a reality on the ground.

Learn more about how Tarkett is leveraging the power of partnership to reshape the future of flooring.  

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This article was created in partnership with Tarkett.

Images courtesy of Tarkett.

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Tarkett’s ReStart® Recycling Program: Keeping Old Flooring Out of the Landfill

The post Circularity in Action: Flooring Contractors Driving the Future of Reuse appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

• Organizational culture and flexibility aren’t internal-only issues. They shape your innovation, employee experience, and ultimately, your bottom line.
• How can a company that resists flexible work expect to design for a workforce that embraces it?
• You can’t create for what you don’t live. And you don’t live what you don’t experience.

Article originally published on Allwork.space

If you’ve never hosted a virtual meeting on a laptop, you might miss that some premium models once placed webcams below the screen.

If you’ve never worked from a crowded cafe, you might underestimate the value of noise-canceling mics.

If you’ve never recorded a podcast or webinar, you might not have faced the dilemma: camera or screen?

If you’ve never scrambled to make a workspace on the go, you might not realize how often mainstream tools exclude people who work outside the “average” mold.

Work today is mobile, personal, and flexible. And the companies building the most relevant tools are led by teams who live that reality, not just read about it.

Flexibility and DEI aren’t isolated initiatives. They are core values that impact who joins your team, how you build, and what you produce. Or they don’t.

Many organizations treat remote work and inclusion as separate HR topics. But those decisions affect every aspect of your business, from leadership and learning to market strategy and innovation. They shape the products you develop, the audiences you reach, and the value you deliver.

Consider Dell and Logitech. Both are household names in tech. But their workplace strategies, and the impact on their performance, tell two very different stories.

In early 2024, Dell restricted opportunities for remote employees, barring them from promotions and internal moves. That policy didn’t just shape internal dynamics. It discouraged first-hand experience with flexible work — effectively disconnecting Dell’s workforce from the customers it aims to serve.

The result? Dell’s Client Solutions Group saw a 16% drop in revenue and an 8% decline in operating income year-over-year by the end of 2024.

Now compare that with Logitech.

Logitech’s approach starts with the understanding that the best products come from teams who understand their users — because they are their users. Delphine Donné, general manager of personal workspace solutions at Logitech, shared on The Future Of Less Work podcast how real-world experience drives meaningful design.

“It’s understanding that everyone has different needs,” Donné said. ” Some people work at home, some in the office. Some have very complex tasks, and some want something very simple. Understanding the diversity of the future of work drives how we integrate innovation into our products.”

When Donné began leading her team in 2018, women made up just 28% of the group. Today, that number has reached 50%. This wasn’t about checking boxes — it was about building a team capable of empathizing with a global, diverse customer base. Tools like the Lift mouse, tailored for smaller hands, were directly born from inclusive design thinking.

But Logitech’s success goes beyond design. Its own workforce lives the remote and hybrid experience. Distributed teams learn to collaborate across time zones, balance work with life, and innovate within flexible models. Flexibility isn’t a perk—it’s a product strategy.

The tools built for creators, digital nomads, and hybrid professionals reflect the day-to-day realities of the teams behind them.

As Donné put it: “This culture of diversity and inclusion, how you bring people into the conversation, what tools you give them to be successful and be at their best, that’s what drives better products and better business outcomes.”

And it shows in the numbers. In 2024, Logitech’s Personal Workspace Solutions group helped lift the company’s operating income by 28% year-over-year.

At a moment when some companies are backtracking on flexibility and dialing down DEI, Logitech offers a different path. One where alignment between culture and customer drives better solutions, deeper loyalty, and real growth.

The link between culture and product is direct. Decisions about how teams work impacts morale as much as they shape market relevance and business success. The companies poised to lead are the ones creating from experience, not theory. And that starts with a flexible, inclusive, and lived culture.

The post Logitech Vs. Dell: The Business Results That Prove You Can’t Build For A Future Of Work You Refuse To Live In appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Inspired at NeoCon 2025 by their sample home office, executive office, kitchen and library settings to better show solutions as they would be used in real life, we engaged interior designers and specifiers from Arcadis to shop all of Mockett’s current offerings. Here’s what they would include in their next projects!

Completing the Workplace Experience

Tab Drawer Pull

A timeless and distinctive drawer pull design that’s easy to apply and goes well with all furniture and cabinetry, DP3 is our most popular series. Custom tab pull lengths are easy and economical to manufacture so you can have the perfect size for your application.

What Designers Are Saying: 

I enjoy the slim profile and finish selections offered in this line.

Always love a sleek and minimal tab pull! We typically use this at all our millwork cabinets. Have always wished for this to come in an ADA option.

Y-Table Leg

Folded steel creates the outer half of a traditional square leg, then splits in different directions at the top to make a Y-shape to connect to the outer edges of the top plate, hence the name Y-Leg. All the allure of a basic square tube leg design with only a fraction of the material cost. Its hollowed center leaves the rest to the imagination to complete the square, giving it an interesting design twist and a fresh new take on a traditional style.

What Designers Are Saying: 

I was not aware Mockett offered table legs, so I would be mindful for my next project to consider this as an option for a custom coffee/side table!

Round Top Drawer Pull

Classic design? Contemporary design? You decide…this exciting pull will go with either style. Use with traditional designs for a bold striking accent or use with modern or eclectic interiors for an understated pop that really stands out. That unmatched versatility is what makes this gorgeous handle the go-to resource for any design.

What Designers Are Saying: 

Good, simple pull for when a project must have ADA pulls

Ridged Door Stop

Elevate your space with a tastefully understated doorstop, chic yet incredibly functional. This compact hardware accessory enhances a traditionally practical piece by featuring intricate ridged detailing, adding a touch of modern flair to its robust design.

What Designers Are Saying: 

I like a simple, low-profile door stop and this one looks nice. The ridges add a nice texture.

Powering Up: Charging Solutions

Medium Flip-up Power Grommet

Wireless Charging has grown exponentially in the past few years. This versatile power grommet has two electrical outlets rated that flip up with a simple touch to the cover and then hide away when finished. Flange sits nearly flush with the surface. Easy to install into any type of furniture for convenient power and data access on demand.

What Designers Are Saying: 

Always looking for ways to disguise power under the desk, and I like the flexibility of being able to select which inputs you can add to this system.

Undermount Power Unit

With our world today, our smartphones is a must so this invisible under desk wireless charger is such a neat way to incorporate a seamless integration into any furniture. Not only does it allow for a clean work surface, it’s extremely convenient and a cool feature to have in the work space.

What Designers Are Saying: 

We usually have power integrated in the furniture from the manufacturer when we do the furniture package, but this is a great option for undermount power that needs to be added at a later time.

New in Grommets

Deep Trash Grommet

Trash Management Grommet Liners are easy to install, easy to remove and clean, and protect your furniture from messy spills. Line your trash drops with commercial grade stainless steel grommets to dress up the opening with a beautiful complementary trash ring that will add a sophisticated charm to your furniture and extend the life of your counter top or receptacle housing.

What Designers Are Saying: 

I could see myself using this trash grommet for my projects as an equipment requires an 8” opening for coffee beans to be dropped in the trash below.

Conference AV Power Pop-Up Grommet

The motorized, pop-up power tower features a glass wireless charging plate that lifts at the push of a button to reveal a power station. Access wireless charging capabilities at any time. A small gap surrounding the glass plate lets users plug their devices into the recessed power center and keep cables hidden and tucked away when the unit is closed. Store your cords within the unit and keep them out of sight. Perfect for conference room tables or office workstations.

What Designers Are Saying: 

I could see myself using this on a project with a larger conference table as it can accommodate all the outlets & inputs a conference room would need for AV.

Solid Brass Desk Grommet

Solid brass grommets are ideal for fine executive desks and credenzas, conference tables and computer stations. Why brass? Unlike cheaper and shoddier metals, brass polishes and plates much better than steel, resulting in a far superior finish.

What Designers Are Saying: 

I like how this grommet is a sleek option for any table top power needs. The metal finish makes it feel more sophisticated compared to plastic. I would use this at a reception desk.

Organization Tools

Single Hook Coat Hook

Simple and functional, just a single hook with good style. A sleek wall‑mounted hook with a minimalist design. Crafted from sturdy metal, it projects 1½″ and features a 2⅜″ diameter base. With a welded threaded screw for easy self-installation (no extra hardware needed) and a 30 lb weight capacity (with anchor), it’s ideal for hanging coats, hats, bags, and more.

What Designers Are Saying: 

I have spec’d this on projects before on the back of office doors. It’s a plus that it comes in chrome and matte black to match any adjacent hardware or demountable systems.

Robe Hook

Combine traditional elegance with contemporary flair. This fine hook with bold, geometric forms brings structure and strength to every design space. With refined hints of industrial style, the Modernist Robe Hook sets the standard for quality, innovation, and timeless appeal.

What Designers Are Saying: 

I like the simplicity of this hook to use as a coat hanger on the back of office doors or even on a toilet partition.

Want More?

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Special thanks to Arcadis’ Lisa Ferguson & Morgan Sandberg

This roundup is sponsored by Mockett.

The post Top Architectural Hardware Products by Mockett appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

RESEAT‘s SaaS (software as a service) platform is redefining how companies track, repurpose and resell office furniture, creating a seamless second-life marketplace that prioritizes circularity, sustainability and efficiency. 

Too often, businesses focus only on the future of their new space, leaving valuable furniture assets behind as an afterthought, forcing last minute removals, rushed broker deals or unnecessary landfill contribution. Bringing RESEAT into the project process earlier when the furniture procurement is being negotiated will eliminate the dreaded decommissioning conversation, where clients are paying to have furniture removed and disposed. 

By working with furniture dealers at the outset, this little bit of forethought can end a lot of waste. 

– Brandi Susewitz

Let’s check in with Brandi and their movement to make sustainable office furniture management the new standard.

WDM: Since the last time we chatted, RESEAT has engaged with a number of major US furniture dealers. Tell us how these partnerships have expanded your reach and impact.

Brandi Susewitz: I think engaging with dealers has significantly expanded our reach and impact in six impactful ways.

Built-in Trust & Relationships. Furniture dealers already have strong, long-standing relationships with end users. By engaging them, RESEAT tapped into existing trust networks, accelerating adoption and credibility. Dealers introducing RESEAT to their customers made the conversation about sustainability and asset management much more seamless. 

National / Global Footprint. As more dealers adopt RESEAT’s platform-including the new white-label option, they bring their entire book of business with them. This multiplies RESEAT’s presence in every region they serve, creating a web of circularity across the country and internationally. 

More Furniture Diverted from Landfill. With dealers onboard, we’re getting early access to more furniture projects which means we can step in before furniture is discarded. 

RESEAT helping divert over 12 million pounds of office furniture from the landfill since 2020.

Lifecycle Planning at the Point of Purchase. Dealers are now offering RESEAT as part of the sale, helping customers plan for what happens to their furniture before it’s even delivered. This not only future-proofs the project but embeds circular thinking into the very start of the lifecycle. 

Revenue Growth & Long Term Partnerships. Working with dealers has turned RESEAT into more than a resale platform, it’s now a full lifecycle solution. With white-labeled tools, ongoing subscription revenue, and stronger dealer-customer engagement, RESEAT’s business model has evolved into a recurring, scalable ecosystem. 

Marketing Momentum. Every dealer becomes an amplifier. Whether it’s participating in campaigns like The Cardboard Truth or sharing success stories with their clients, each one helps RESEAT tell a bigger story and push the industry toward smarter, more sustainable practices.

WDM: We understand that RESEAT now has a significant alliance with a large UK rep group to further your circular mission abroad. Please share details.

Brandi Susewitz: Yes, we are proud to have solidified a partnership with Encore by Welltek who is a well-respected rep group in the UK that works with about 100 dealers in the surrounding areas. This partnership marks a significant step in bringing RESEAT’s inventory management and resale platform to the UK market. Empowering dealers, designers, and manufacturers to track, manage, resell, and renew commercial furniture across its full lifecycle.

The UK design community is eager for real, actionable circularity, not just pledges. Our rep group partner brings deep regional knowledge and long-standing relationships with dealers and end users alike.  Together, we’ll enable furniture dealers to offer RESEAT’s white-label platform, giving their customers a way to plan smarter from the point of purchase and avoid waste at the end of use.

WDM: There’s a misnomer out there that furniture dealers are not monetarily incentivized to offer second-life furniture rather than new products. Please bust that myth for our readers.

Brandi Susewitz: When I started in the industry in 1997, dealers were earning about a 35% gross profit margin. By the time I left the dealership side in 2000, that had already dropped to 22% — and that was considered good. Margins on new furniture have continued to compress over the years, while costs to serve customers have only gone up.

We give dealers new revenue opportunities that didn’t exist before:

SaaS Revenue – Dealers can now white-label our inventory management platform and charge their customers for access, creating a steady, recurring revenue stream.

Second-Life Sales – Instead of walking away from decommissioned furniture, dealers can now help clients resell it — and share in that resale value. Second life furniture sales generate more income than selling new! 

Lifecycle Planning – By embedding RESEAT at the point of purchase, dealers deepen client relationships and stay involved far beyond the initial sale.

It’s about giving dealers tools to future-proof their business, better serve clients, and participate meaningfully in the circular economy, while boosting their bottom line.

This is not about replacing new product sales — it’s about expanding the pie.

RESEAT’s Digital Product Passport, which enables organizations to track, resell, refurbish or recycle assets efficiently.

WDM: When we spoke, you mentioned that “end users understand” the RESEAT proposition of extending the furniture lifecycle. Could you elaborate on that? 

Brandi Susewitz: Yes, when we say that “end users understand” the RESEAT proposition, we mean that today’s clients are far more aware of the environmental and financial impact of their furniture decisions than ever before.

They understand that extending the lifecycle of furniture isn’t just about sustainability, it’s also smart business.

They have lived through costly decommissions.
End users know what it feels like to be stuck with a warehouse full of used furniture and no plan. They get the value of having a proactive strategy, whether it’s resale, donation, or refurbishment, built in from the start.

They want to meet their ESG goals.
Companies are under pressure to report on carbon emissions and demonstrate responsible resource use. The ability to track, renew, and resell furniture through RESEAT gives them tangible, reportable wins.

They see the financial upside.
RESEAT allows clients to capture value from assets they would otherwise pay to dispose of. Many customers are surprised to learn how much resale or refurbishment can offset the cost of future projects. 

They’re seeking better systems.
End users don’t want last-minute scrambles anymore. They want an organized, digital, and transparent way to manage their assets over time and RESEAT delivers exactly that.

WDM: Part of your marketing story is to “think about the end in the beginning.” What specific strategies can our audience use to put this into practice?

Brandi Susewitz: Some specific strategies that your audience can use would be: 

Create a digital furniture inventory from day one. RESEAT captures the order details from the dealer using the electronic file they use to place the order with the manufacturer. We upload it into our platform and generate a digital catalog of the customers’ furniture. Don’t wait until decommission. Use this as an excuse to reach out to your customers and engage them in a conversation because they do need help with this process and you could be looked at as a trusted advisor instead of a “sales person.” 

Include end of life planning in the procurement process. 

Set Internal Policies for furniture lifecycle decisions. Establish clear criteria for what stays, what gets refinished, what is getting sold and/or donated. Having this framework already in place avoids the last-minute panic and landfill dumps when space is downsized or reconfigured. 

Make Second Life furniture part of the initial spec. 

Use RESEAT as an ongoing Resource. Thinking about the end in the beginning means you’re not just designing a space, you’re designing a strategy as well! 

WDM: Can you provide some current statistics for how much US office furniture ends up in landfills every year?

Brandi Susewitz: 12 MILLION TONS of furniture waste is generated in the US annually according to the EPA. Over 80% of that waste ends up in the landfill and less than 5% is actually recycled and an even smaller portion is reused or repurposed. 

By partnering with RESEAT, furniture dealers can offer enterprise clients a unique differentiator: a comprehensive, sustainable furniture lifecycle management solution. Implementing RESEAT’s platform not only meets the growing demand for sustainable practices but also positions dealers as forward-thinking partners, fostering stronger, long-term relationships with enterprise clients.

Interested in differentiating your dealership and becoming a Preferred RESEAT dealer? Reach out to bsusewitz@reseat.com and schedule a demo call!

This article was created in collaboration with RESEAT. Images courtesy of RESEAT unless otherwise noted.

The post RESEAT: Second Life Furniture Coming to a Dealer Near You appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Moovlab Pvot Chair (Launching Soon!)

Found at Design Days

Unique sit encouraging free-movement. It is the upgraded version of sitting on an exercise ball. It took a minute to get used to but then was actually a nice option as an active wellness free movement chair.

SkyViewPendant Pro Light and Audio by Sonocea

Found at Neocon: in the Design Milk Lounge

Circadian lighting and audio immersion in this wellness lounge was a welcome retreat from the busy Neocon rush.

Hyphyn

Found at NeoCon: Arc-Com 1194 | CF Stinson 10-150 | Mayer Fabrics 1173 | Momentum 323 | Pallas Textiles 1181 | Wolf Gordon 3-100 & more!

Great option for a high-performance vinyl, and nice to see in the market that many manufacturers will be offering this technology. Very important and great find in the Metropolis Sustainability Lounge.

Fractal Bark, Fractal Moss, and Fractal River by Momentum

Found at Neocon Showroom 323

Wallcovering from Momentum designed by 13&9 through fractal research. The showroom this year was calming and relaxing using a floor plan map to discover the space through smell and sound.

Cabrio by Extremis (Prototype)

Found at NeoCon Showroom 355

In a time where people are able to work from anywhere, this outdoor work-lounger was a perfect fit for workers wanting to enjoy the outside while being equally productive with sunshade and work tables built in.

Ally by OFS

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 1115 West Fulton Market Floor 2

An interesting entry to the private office sector, with modular components, pieces that can easily be moved around, soft rounded corners and particularly as shown in the photo, a smaller than average height adjustable desk – the focus is more on collaboration than heads down work.

Axis by Allermuir (Prototype)

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 1032 West Fulton Market

Designers have long loved this classic conference table base, but it’s now available with integrated power (no ugly sleeve hiding cords), and with a variety of quite large tables.

Central Bark by Darran

Found at NeoCon Showroom 3-120

I loved this unique and perfectly detailed integrated dog bed!  Darran has been a leader in human-centered design innovations in their office furniture, with a particular focus on thoughtful detailing and seamless integration.  This dog bed has an integrated light, and pushes back to be flush with the adjacent cabinets (with their hidden dog bowls).

Mackinac by Steelcase

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 811 West Fulton Market

In the category of height-adjustable workspaces, the trend in the past years has been to showcase larger and larger pieces (L-shaped desks, conference tables), but this year I saw the trend go in the other direction: smaller desks that place the emphasis on collaborative areas, or conference tables meant for just 2-3 people.

BeSPACE Credenza and Planter by JSI

Found at Design Days

Interesting space dividing components that are getting wider and taller that what were used to seeing.

Want More?

Check out our NeoCon & Design Days 2025 Trend Report here

The post New & Notable Products from NeoCon and Design Days 2025 appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

While advanced digital printing continues to refine aesthetics, it was the material honesty and purposeful imperfection that stood out to our guest correspondent, Nicole Zack of Ted Moudis Associates.

Textures were meant to be touched, in the form of soft ridges, linearity, and raised geometries, bringing depth to otherwise minimal color palettes. This led to another trend, “tile drenching”, where a single tile material was used continuously on floors, walls, countertops, and millwork. The effect created a seamless environment that emphasized cohesion over contrast. 

Color Report: New Neutrals and Earth-Inspired Accents

Neutrals now span a much wider spectrum. Beyond black and white, the dominant tones continue to be warm greys, taupe, sand, Anthro-tones and coffee brown. These colors were showcased in a range of finishes and textures. Blue and green hues took cues from the environment, from sky and water blues to herbaceous greens emerging as muted neutral accents. Earth-derived reds, especially terracotta and clay, rounded out the tonal base neutrals. 

The show reinforced that the future of tile lies in refining and enhancing the looks of yesterday. Across the show floor, manufacturers embraced timeless materiality, subtle surface design, and applications that provide timeless longevity in projects. Trends moved away from novelty and into refinement. Tile reaffirms its role as both a functional finish and a design statement. 

New and Notable List: A Showcase of Materials, Patterns, and Technology

Backlight Visual Printing Technology 

Digital layering creates a light-from-within effect across large-format slabs.  

Fondovalle – All Light  

Hybrid Stone Graphic Visuals 

New composites merge multiple stone references into a new hybrid stone graphic  producing unique surfaces that feel natural.  

Regea by Mirage 

Moonstone by Ciramiche Coem 

Breezeblocks and Extruded Wall Tiles 

Dimensional tiles add architectural texture to space dividers, façades, and wall cladding.  

Terratina Split 

Mirage Terrae 

Extruded Profiles – Natucer Techno  

Micromosaics 

Miniature-scale tiles brought intricate detail and movement to walls and floors, collections often borrowed from Japanese, Mediterranean design inspiration. 

Terratina Micro 

Mirage Nagomi 

Decoratori Bassanesi Flicker 

Porcelain Slab and Through Body Pattern 

Advanced production techniques now allow pattern and veining to travel through the full depth of the surface. 

ABK Full Vein 3D 

Fondovalle All-Over  

Hyper Real Texture on Surface 

Ultra-tactile 3d printed surfaces gave visual realism to wood, plaster, and terrazzo finishes. 

Tau Nordicwood  

StonePeak Mystère 

Crossville Laminam Gemini Plaster Look 

Post Show Reflection

While the experience of Coverings as a tile show is a showcase of surface, color and texture, this year it raised a deeper question: Why are we seeing so many traditional and classic stone looks reemerge?

Perhaps the answer lies not just in design trends, but in something deeper. The resurgence of hand-tooled looks, historical patterns felt more than just an aesthetic choice.  In a world shaped by rapid change, global uncertainty, and technology overload, are we returning to materials that feel grounded, familiar, and real?  While we might not be consciously choosing tile as a way to seek human connection, we are certainly gravitating toward what feels honest and authentic.

Images courtesy of Nicole Zack

Want to Attend Coverings 2026?

Anyone interested in attending Coverings 2026, slated for March 30-April 2, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, can sign up to be notified when event registration opens at www.coverings.com.

The post Coverings 2025 Trend Report appeared first on Work Design Magazine.