What is really driving the back-to-office shift in 2026?

In 2026, workplaces are being designed around why people come in, not how often, prioritising collaboration, focus, and connection beyond what remote work cannot offer.

The great return: A shift toward purpose-driven office time

Workplace research shows people are more engaged when office time is intentional. According to AHRI (2025), 75% of Australian workers say being in the office encourages stronger connection with colleagues, while 65% believe it improves collaboration and cooperation.

Rather than using the office for individual desk-based work, teams are prioritising in-person time for shared activity. This shift is changing how workplaces are planned, with greater emphasis on spaces that support interaction, movement and collective work rather than fixed, individual workpoints.

How this shift is reshaping office layouts:

• Desks become a support function, not the centrepiece. Individual workpoints still exist, but they no longer shape the workplace. Space is rebalanced around how people actually use the office.

• Collaboration is planned, not incidental. Shared zones are positioned and scaled to support workshops, teamwork and project activity rather than relying on leftover meeting space.

• Layouts are designed to adapt. Modular planning and flexible furniture allow workplaces to evolve as teams, headcount and work styles change over time.

Rethinking the workplace experience

Offices are increasingly adopting hospitality-led design, shifting away from rigid corporate environments to open-plan spaces that feel more welcoming and comfortable. Thoughtful seating, informal meeting zones and cafe-style spaces encourage people to spend time in the workplace, supporting connection and productivity without compromising professionalism.

In practice, this translates into:

• Ergonomic lounge settings designed for extended working sessions, not transitional use

• Breakout areas positioned as active work zones rather than peripheral spaces

• Open-plan floors layered with varied settings, allowing teams to move between collaboration and focused work with ease.

Supporting focus in an AI-enabled workplace

As AI tools become part of everyday work, employees need spaces that support concentration and reduce cognitive load. Quiet areas are no longer a luxury. They are becoming essential for productivity and wellbeing.

Research from ACTU (2025) shows 51% of Australian workers say they need more skills and training as technology and AI change how they work. The workplace environment must support this transition by offering spaces that allow people to focus, learn and adapt.

Effective workplaces now require:

• Small, quiet zones for focused work

• Acoustic separation between social and task-based areas

• Clear zoning that helps people choose how they work

Sustainability is now a baseline expectation

Sustainability and ESG goals are no longer optional. Businesses are prioritising low-carbon fit-outs and responsibly sourced furniture. Locally manufactured products help reduce transport emissions, improve quality control and support long-term value.

Designing workplaces that perform

At Krost, we work closely with our clients to respond to these shifts in a practical way. Our range of office furniture, supported by local manufacturing, allows us to tailor solutions to the specific needs of each project, supporting flexibility, sustainability and the performance of both the workplace and the people within it.

Transforming Ocean Bound Plastics Into Purposeful Design

Ocean Bound Plastics, also known as “Abandoned Plastic Waste”, are uncontrolled plastics at  risk of ending up in our oceans. These include microplastics, mezzo-plastics, and macro-plastics, mainly collected from coastal areas.

With an ambition centered on offering durable products through advanced and sustainable manufacturing, Krost is at the forefront of this initiative. Driving the movement towards cleaner oceans, we give new life to plastic waste at high risk of polluting the oceans, by integrating ocean-bound plastics (OBP) into our product designs.

Our OBP material is now recognised by a third-party audited OBP Certification Program, launched by Zero Plastics Oceans & Control Union. It ensures that every step, from collection to recycling process, meets the highest social and environmental standards.

We are proud to introduce our OBP certified product range with the Poppi chairs and stools as part of our dedication to the environment. All the entire shell of each Poppi, is crafted from certified OBP through mechanical recycling processes. We aim to help divert tons of plastic waste into functional and high-quality seating solutions that support both people and the planet. 

Our OBP collection is strictly audited and compliant with the Global Recycled Standard (GRS 4.0), showcasing that our commitment to sustainability is measurable and continually improving year after year.

At Krost, we look towards a future where every product has a positive impact.

Discover our seating solutions here and be a part of the change.

5 Tips to Create Sustainable Workplaces

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle has been embedded into our society to manage everyday sustainable practices. But how do we transform this ideal into common practice in the workplace? Here’s some tips on going green in your office…

1.  Waste Management: Create a recycling culture within the workplace by implementing simple strategies to reduce waste. Set printers to print on both sides of the page as a default, use reusable ink cartridges and ensure there are paper recycling bins located throughout the office.
 

2. Work Online: Encourage staff to go paperless as much as possible by switching to an online interface. This will not only help the environment but also save on expenditure. Activities such as reading reports, invitations, meeting notes and sending documents online minimise paper waste significantly.
 

3. Hit The Streets: Whether you’re heading to a meeting or going to lunch, reducing the amount of time spent in a car can have a big impact. Instead of driving solo, try walking, carpooling, cycling or public transport.
 

4. Energy Consumption: With the amount of electrical products left on or in standby mode after business hours, small changes in electrical consumption can make a huge impact on your carbon footprint. Power-saving tips include turning off lights when not in use, switching to LED lights or investing in automatic switches that detect people’s activity. Streamline your company’s computer efficiency by disabling screensavers, turning all electronic items off when not in use and recycling them once obsolete to reduce landfill. Installing solar panels is another great long term power saving solution.
 

5. Extra tips: Further reduce your footprint with effortless practices such as switching to simple cleaning supplies, providing reusable dishes, silverware and glasses and encouraging employees to use reusable coffee cups and plastic containers.

With every small action adding up when it comes to office waste, introducing a holistic approach to create a workplace that cares for both people and the environment can have significant impact.