How to Design Workplaces That Bridge Multi-Generational Gaps

Gain practical interior design tips to accommodate generational traits and preferences in the workplace, while promoting purpose, productivity, and well-being through design.
Oct. 8, 2025
3 min read

Key Highlights

  • Recognize the unique traits and preferences of traditionalists, baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z to inform effective workspace design.
  • Engage employees through surveys and conversations to better understand their needs and tailor the workspace accordingly.
  • Incorporate sustainable, circular, and biophilic design elements to promote well-being, environmental responsibility, and resilience.
  • Offer versatile options and adaptable spaces that provide employees with control, fostering inclusivity and satisfaction across all generations.
55901804 © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com
Diverse multigenerational workforce having a team meeting

The 21st-century workforce spans five generations—traditionalists, baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. Each has distinct needs, work styles, and expectations. Businesses offer competitive salaries and perks to stay relevant in their industry. What else can they do to ensure that all five generations feel their workspace is flexible, inclusive, and sustainable?

Designing workplaces that cater to all age cohorts simultaneously can be challenging, but it’s doable. Let’s explore how interior designers can help business owners bridge generational gaps.

37221769 © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com
A flexible workspace has modular tables that can move easily and adapt to group meetings and solo work.

A flexible workspace features modular tables that can move easily and adapt to group meetings and solo work. This floorplan also incorporates plentiful  natural light, which can help reduce energy consumption while improving well-being.

Understanding the Five Generations in the Workplace

With the caveat that general traits may not apply to every individual, they still offer a starting point for determining what values can connect to design features that appeal to each age group.

Traditionalists are known as dependable and loyal—they’ve advanced through many of the world’s changes. Baby boomers are optimistic and tend to prioritize work. They believe that rewards come from sacrifice. Generation X is independent and flexible—they’re motivated by a work-life balance and use efficient communication tools.

Millennials are competitive and achievement-oriented. They prefer texts and emails and strive for unique work experiences. Generation Z is progressive—Gen Z students are the most digitally engaged, using social media and texting to communicate.

Traditionalists and baby boomers value privacy and tactile materials, while Gen X enjoys having a collaborative and focused space. Millennials and Gen Z are the biggest supporters of sustainability. While all five generations seem different, they all tend to value purpose, belonging, balance, and fair compensation in the workplace.

TIP

One of the best ways to grasp what each generation requires is to listen to their needs and wants. Initiate conversation and surveys about what’s working and what isn’t in the office space. Evaluating and understanding a team’s personality and typical work styles gives designers and their clients a better understanding of how to create a multi-generational workplace.

Design Strategies for Inclusivity and Flexibility

When designing the workplace, consider the employees’ backgrounds and diversity, and conduct ample research. It’s essential to cater to everyone’s needs because employees spend about 90,000 hours at work. On average, full-time workers spend about 8.5 hours in the office. While you can’t give everyone their dream office, you can offer universal designs.

A modern, multi-generational office should include plenty of options to give employees choice and control over the space:

A modular workstation gives staff their own space while involving them in group discussions and brainstorming. They can also arrange the furniture according to preference and adapt to the task at hand.
Acoustic zoning is ideal for workers who enjoy pop, tranquil, or calming music while working. Access to controls allows them to adjust the genre to suit different generations and mix it up so everyone gets to hear their preferred music.
Create a universal design[1] that promotes inclusivity, comfort, and accessibility for all employees. These designs can include adaptable tables and chairs for workers of all physical abilities and conditions.
The technology design should be as cohesive as the office setting. Select systems that seamlessly integrate so people of all ages can easily navigate them, such as furnishings with integrated power and communications support, and intuitive lighting and HVAC controls.

Circular Design and Healthier Materials for Sustainability

A contemporary workplace should also be designed to balance durability and more environmentally friendly materials that support human well-being while minimizing waste and maintenance. About three-quarters of Gen Z prioritize sustainable products over brand names.

Circular design leverages eco-friendly materials, refurbishment, and recovery or recycling practices to keep products in good condition for a long time and minimize waste. Circular design can be achieved in multiple ways:

Seek non-toxic materials with durable finishing touches. Older workers favor these materials, while younger adults prefer recycled and renewable surfaces and materials.
Specify products and materials backed by Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and leverage the EC3 tool to evaluate the embodied carbon of the project as a whole.
Invest in products from furniture leasing agencies or upcycling programs[2] to significantly reduce costs and waste by ensuring products aren’t sitting unused or entering landfills.
Take the environmental impact even further by researching “restorative products” and specifying them into a regenerative design. This can help to relieve pressure on natural resources due to global population growth.
134206300 © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com
Natural wood-look finishes provide a warm ambience in cubicles that are zoned for small groups or quiet individual work.

Natural wood-look finishes provide a warm ambience and acoustic management in cubicles that are zoned for small groups or quiet individual work.

Biophilic Design for Resilience

The integration of natural or nature-inspired elements has been shown to reduce stress and improve productivity. Help occupants feel more connected to the natural world even within a confined space.

First, consider the size of the space. Businesses should have up to 20% more office space[3] than they require for their current staff.
More space means more room for team growth, but it also offers more space for objects like plants. When well maintained, they can help to regulate air quality[4], which reduces stress, and improves focus and cognitive skills.
When possible, orient furnishings so occupants have views to the outdoors, preferably with access to green spaces if they are available.
If there’s limited space for indoor plants, you can also consider natural wood wall options. Wood walls with high acoustic dampening properties create a more productive and comfortable working environment. They also bring visual warmth to a space, and the natural tones evoke a sense of calm and ease.
As a bonus, the elegance of wood paneling appeals to all generations. It’s been used in traditional and modern offices; it’s easy to clean; and it’s biodegradable when it reaches end of useful life.

Design A Path to Success

The five generations may vary in work ethic, communication, motivation, and goals, but they all want a workspace that’s inclusive and supports their overall well-being. With adaptability, circularity, and biophilic elements at the top of the priority list, you can realize a workplace design that meets the client’s budget, serves employees well, and minimizes its environmental impact.

Additional References

  1. General Services Administration, Section 508 website, “Universal Design and Accessibility” (latest update August 2025).
  2. Heal The Planet website, “100 Ways to Heal the Planet—#27 Upcycling.”
  3. Rock Commercial Real Estate blog post, “How Much Office Space Do I Need?” (June 12, 2024).
  4. S. de Vries, T. Hermans, and F. Langers, “Effects of indoor plants on office workers: a field study in multiple Dutch organizations,” Frontiers in Psychology (June 28, 2023; accessed from National Library of Medicine PubMed Central).

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About the Author

Evelyn Long

Evelyn Long

Freelance writer

Evelyn Long is an experienced interior design writer that has been featured on the National Association of Realtors and DecorMatters sites. She specializes in improving workplaces for a diverse and modern workforce. She is also the editor-in-chief of Renovated Magazine, where she writes interior design advice for homeowners.

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