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North + Scotland
Business Development Manager, Leeds
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Insight
Home Insights Office fit out trends for 2026
Workplaces are continuing to evolve as businesses adapt to new ways of working and rising expectations around quality and sustainability. In 2026, the focus is shifting towards smarter, more flexible and more responsible fit outs that support the way people choose to work today.
The “flight to quality” continues to dominate the UK office market. Employers are prioritising Grade A spaces, whether new or refurbished, to attract and retain talent. Tenant priorities now centre on location, amenities, flexibility and environmental performance. In response, landlords are upgrading older Grade B buildings to meet modern occupier expectations.
High standards in lighting, air quality, connectivity and wellbeing are now considered the baseline rather than a luxury. The year ahead will see a surge in Grade B to Grade A transformations, as refurbishment becomes a faster and more sustainable route than new development.
11 & 12 Wellington Place - Leeds' most energy efficient building
Viewed alongside the flight to quality, it’s clear that organisations are turning to refurbishment as a practical route to achieving the standards they need.
With decreased Grade A supply, rising costs and tighter carbon regulations, refurbishment is overtaking relocation as the preferred way to create better workplaces. Reusing and retrofitting existing structures saves embodied carbon and supports net zero goals, while innovative design can reinvent even the most outdated buildings.
With new supply limited across many regional cities, refurbishment and retrofit are now becoming the most viable way to achieve Grade A quality. It’s also the more sustainable choice, delivering high performance with lower impact and greater creativity.
Reed Smith's converted timber warehouse
The boundaries between fit out categories are becoming increasingly blurred. Cat A specifications now often include smart-ready systems, zoned HVAC and adaptable layouts. Cat A+ continues to grow in popularity, offering “plug and play” spaces that combine the speed and efficiency of landlord delivery with the comfort and design appeal of Cat B features.
Meanwhile, Cat B fit outs are placing greater emphasis on culture, community and wellbeing, reflecting each organisation’s unique identity and values. The year ahead will bring further growth in Cat A+ and flexible Cat B models, balancing speed, cost and user experience.
Cat A London office space
While refurbishment leads the way, relocation remains a strategic option for companies looking to rightsize, reposition or modernise. Many organisations are trading large, underused offices for smaller, higher quality spaces that deliver greater impact per square foot.
The focus has shifted from more space to better space, with fit outs designed around collaboration, social zones and shared experiences rather than traditional rows of desks. Offices in 2026 will be leaner and smarter, aligned with how people actually work rather than how many desks they occupy.
And although refurbishment is the most viable route in many locations, new development still holds strong appeal in London, where demand and higher returns continue to attract developers.
Dojo's Bristol office relocation
We're seeing an increasing demand from clients for a focus on sustainable workplaces. Circular design principles are reshaping the way fit outs are delivered, with reusing, recycling and designing for disassembly becoming standard practice. The concept of “urban mining” - sourcing materials already within the community for reuse - is gaining traction as a practical and sustainable approach.
Smart systems are also supporting operational efficiency by monitoring energy consumption, air quality and occupancy in real time. Fit outs in 2026 will deliver measurable sustainability, reducing embodied carbon while improving building performance.
Circular economy at Rabobank, London
The purpose of the office has shifted. It is no longer simply a place to work but a place where people connect, collaborate and belong. The focus is now on building workplaces that support different ways of working and make people want to come in, rather than feel they have to.
Wellbeing, inclusivity and adaptability are central to this approach. Biophilic design, natural materials and access to daylight help create comfortable environments that support focus and collaboration, while flexible layouts and technology enabled spaces allow teams to move easily between different ways of working. Inclusivity is also becoming a key priority, with neurodiverse design becoming mainstream expectation for clients, consultants and supply chains. The most successful workplaces in 2026 will be people first, data driven and designed to bring teams together.
Certas' human centred workspace
At the same time, the concept of a “kit of parts” is becoming central to flexibility. Modular components that can be easily reconfigured allow companies to adapt their spaces as they grow or change, with minimal disruption or waste. This approach supports both operational agility and long term sustainability.
As hybrid working patterns evolve, acoustics are playing a greater role in office design. The blend of collaboration, video conferencing and focused work requires spaces that balance openness with privacy. Effective acoustic strategy now underpins comfort, concentration and communication across the modern workplace.
Atom's acoustic ceiling feature
Social value is becoming a defining part of the fit out process, as organisations grow more conscientious about the places they occupy and the communities around them. Many are now placing greater emphasis on giving back: through local employment, skills initiatives, community partnerships and projects that create a lasting positive impact.
Rather than viewing social value as an add on, occupiers and developers are embedding it into the way they operate and deliver projects. In 2026, success will be measured not only by how a workplace performs, but by the contribution it makes to its local area.
Social value initiative onsite in Birmingham
Talk to our team about how we can help you transform your space for 2026.
INSIGHTS