Employees are continuing to return to the office – but with the flexibility for remote work. According to JLL’s Human Experience (HX) survey, U.S. and Canadian workers average three days per week in the office, with attendance being driven by employer mandates. Many companies cite productivity gains and ease of collaboration as key factors for returning to the office.

The hybrid work model has resulted in a shift in workplace design, one that integrates technology while emphasizing collaboration, privacy, flexibility, and sustainability. JLL’s HX breakdown of workplace activities shows 56% of the time is spent on focused (standard workstation) work, 19% on face-to-face collaboration, and 25% on virtual collaboration. With that in mind, nearly 40% of companies said they counted hoteling stations, and 28% counted touchdowns (non-reservable desks for drop-in employees) as seats in planning schemes. In the last three years, 31% of companies also said they increased the number of touchdown spaces, 29% increased open team settings, and 18% increased bench seating. 

Furniture designed to accommodate flexible office environments, as well as for remote working, was on display at the recent NeoCon by several manufacturers. 

The 2024 Wood Industry Almanac is sponsored by IMA Schelling Group.

Click on the infographic to enlarge. 

Quick Stats (Includes items not shown in print.)
• Allied Market Research forecasts the global office furniture market, valued at $60.0 billion USD in 2023, to reach $117.4 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.1% (2024-2033). The hospitality market is projected to reach $6.4 billion, growing at a CAGR of 3.9% (2024-2033).

• The global home office furniture market is expected to grow from a projected $34.37 billion USD in 2024 to $47.57 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 8.5%, according to The Business Research Co. The popularity of hybrid working will continue to spur growth.

• Fact.MR projects the  global office chair market, $14.04 billion USD in 2023, to reach $23.09 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.1%. The U.S. market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.5% and reach a value of $6.30 billion.

• The global hospitality market is projected to reach $6.4 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2024 to 2033, according to Allied Market Research/Allied Analytics. North America dominates the market, which was valued at $4.4 billion in 2023.

• Happy workers are productive workers. The State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report by Gallup finds the United States and Canada have the highest regional percentage of engaged employees and the third highest regional percentage of thriving employees.

• According to data from Placer.ai’s National Office Building Index, August office visits nationwide were at 68.8% of 2019 levels, consistent with the upswing in people returning to the office.

• The global smart office furniture market size is estimated to grow by $118.1 million USD from 2024-2028 at a CAGR of 10.1%, according to Technavio. North America will contribute 46% of the growth.

Market Data Sources: Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Assn. (BIFMA), S&P Global Market Intelligence, StatCan/Statistics Canada, U.S. Census Bureau/Foreign Trade Division, JLL, Statista, Allied Market Research/Allied Analytics, The Business Research Co., FactMR, Gallup, Placer.ai, Technavio. Category: Contract furniture includes: business/office furniture, government furniture, home office, education furniture, healthcare furnishings, institutional furniture, hospitality furniture.

More data on North American woodworking and the specific wood product market segments can be found in the December 2024 FDMC Wood Industry Almanac digital edition or the online almanac articles. Also, find market data year-round at WoodworkingNetwork.com/news/almanac-market-data.