As we move deeper into 2025, one workplace trend is impossible to ignore: companies across the country are rolling back remote options and requiring more time in the office. According to recent data, 70% of companies now have formal return-to-office (RTO) policies, and only 7% allow fully remote roles, down from 21% just last year. Office utilization in major U.S. cities has also climbed to 54% in early 2025, the highest levels since 2020.
The message is clear: the office is back.
But for employees who have grown used to flexibility, the physical office environment matters more than ever. Leaders can no longer assume people will be happy to return to generic cubicles. If you’re asking employees to commute, you need to give them spaces that feel worth the trip.
Why Office Design Matters in the Return-to-Office Movement
When employees walk in the door, they’re not just looking for a desk, they’re looking for an experience that supports how they want to work today. That means:
- Comfortable, flexible furnishings that let people shift between focus, collaboration, and social connection.
- Spaces designed for belonging where employees feel part of something bigger than their laptops.
- Technology-integrated environments that make hybrid collaboration seamless.
- Hospitality-inspired amenities that create a sense of warmth and care.
Companies like Dell and Uber may be making headlines for mandating office days, but the real story is what happens after the policy is announced. Will employees walk back into spaces that energize and inspire them or ones that feel outdated and uninspired?
How the Right Furniture Supports Coming Back Together
At LERDAHL, we believe the return to office is not just about policies. It’s about people. Thoughtful furnishings and workplace design can ease the transition, rebuild culture, and make coming to the office a positive choice, not just a requirement.
Here’s how we help:
- Collaboration Zones
Soft seating, moveable furniture, and writeable surfaces create natural gathering points where teams can problem-solve together. - Focus Areas
Height-adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and acoustically-friendly pods give individuals the tools to do their best work without distraction. - Social Spaces
Café-style lounges, communal tables, and wellness corners foster connection and encourage employees to engage beyond the task list. - Future-Ready Flexibility
Modular systems allow layouts to evolve as your team’s needs shift—because workplace strategy is never static.
Designing for Belonging
One of the biggest reasons companies cite for RTO is culture. Employees want to feel connected to their colleagues and their company’s mission. Furniture and design are silent partners in making that happen. In a typical business, employees can account for up to 70% of operating costs. Yet, on average, the furniture investment in a typical office renovation is only 20-30% of the total budget
When space reflects your values, provides comfort, and supports collaboration, people don’t just show up, they engage. They feel proud of where they work. They build the culture you’re striving to preserve. When employees feel a sense of belonging, there was a 56% increase in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, and a 75% reduction in sick days.
The Bottom Line
The return-to-office trend is real and accelerating in 2025. But success isn’t about mandates, it’s about creating a workplace experience that draws people in. The right design, furniture, and furnishings make the office not just a place to sit, but a place to belong.
At LERDAHL, we’ve been helping organizations reimagine their workplaces since 1984. Whether you’re navigating a full RTO, a hybrid model, or simply want to make your office more magnetic, we’re here to design spaces where people want to be.
Let’s design a workplace worth the commute.
Whether you’re planning a full return-to-office strategy or simply want to make your spaces more inviting, LERDAHL can help. From office furniture in Madison and Milwaukee to complete workplace design solutions across Wisconsin, our team creates environments that make people want to come back.
