What Developers and Business Owners Are Doing to Entice Work Back in the Office
Many were reluctant to say it outright, but empty offices quickly became a real issue.
Recently, building owners in Reading and Lancaster have faced tough conversations. Offices that once held 80 people are now only about 20% full, even on the busiest days. Some tenants have chosen not to renew their leases.
Remote work went well, and many bosses were surprised. Employees also noticed this. It’s hard to beat the convenience of skipping the 222 commute when you can work from your kitchen on a video call. Things have changed. Companies bringing people back are doing more than just setting rules. They want the office to be a better place to work than home. That’s why office furniture companies in Reading and Lancaster, PA, are busier with renovations than they’ve been in past years.
Current Return-to-Office Outlook
Today’s work environment is not the same. Although a small percentage of employees work entirely remotely, there are many employees who do not work in an office for 5 days a week and who have not returned since the beginning of the pandemic. Studies show that 93% of business leaders believe that employees should be working at least part of the week from the office and that over half of business leaders now require that employees be present in the office at least 3 days per week.
The number of employees in fully remote roles has declined significantly over the last 12 months, and the hybrid workplace model has become the norm, which means that office environments need to provide an invitation to employees to come to work, rather than just being required to go to work.
How Real Estate Developers Are Responding to the Office Environment
Commercial real estate owners across Berks County and Lancaster County agree that the type of office space that is in demand has changed dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic. Due to high vacancy rates in office buildings, landlords have had to adapt to the changing expectations of tenants or risk losing them to newer and more flexible office spaces.
Office Amenities Must Compete with Home, According to Facility
In order to attract employees back to the office, they need to provide a better work environment than working from a home office. Developers of commercial real estate are providing more amenities that were once considered to be “nice to have” versus “must have.” A few examples of such amenities are: shared conference rooms, fitness centers, and coffee bars that serve real espresso and coffee. In addition, some commercial buildings along Route 422 have been constructed with outdoor terraces as an amenity. Providing these amenities helps to entice employees to return to the office.
Where Businesses Are Spending
Most upgrades are happening inside tenant spaces rather than across entire buildings.
Ergonomics Is Now Essential
McKinsey’s Talent Trends research found that the number of mostly in-person workers doubled in a year. Longer hours in chairs have made comfort a priority. Companies that brought employees back to old seating are hearing complaints and seeing more sick days. Businesses are investing in mesh-back chairs with lumbar support, conference seating that stays comfortable, and monitor arms that adjust to each person. Suppose someone is uncomfortable by mid-afternoon, productivity drops, and enthusiasm for returning fades. We help Lancaster and Reading businesses identify gaps and improve comfort without replacing everything.
Collaboration Zones That Deliver
Yarooms, using Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, found that remote workers send 42 percent more messages and attend more meetings than those in the office, yet still feel less connected. That is the main reason for having a physical office, but only if the space helps people connect in ways a screen cannot.
Successful businesses are creating zones: lounges for informal conversations, booths for focused calls, and training tables that work for both small brainstorms and larger presentations. A well-designed collaboration space gives people the right setting for their work and makes the office worth coming back to.
Biophilic and Resimercial Design
Natural elements such as plants, living walls, and wood finishes are becoming more common. Research shows that biophilic design can boost productivity by 15 percent. Employees accustomed to natural light at home notice when it is missing in the office.
Modern offices blend home comfort with professional design. Lounge chairs, layered lighting, and practical break rooms create inviting spaces. In Reading and Lancaster, small updates like new seating, lounge furniture, or refreshed kitchens often replace full renovations. Furniture Soup supports these changes with sustainable flooring, plant systems, and natural wood products.
Space Planning: The Hidden Key
Good furniture placed poorly can be worse than no upgrade at all. Cluttered walkways and chaotic layouts frustrate employees. Space planning ensures investments pay off. It starts with analyzing peak headcount, where people gather, how much work is collaborative versus focused, and where privacy is needed.
At Furniture Soup, space planning and commercial interior design are core services. We design layouts before ordering anything, so furniture fits naturally. Our showroom on MacArthur Road in Reading is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 am, with no appointment required.
If Your Office Needs to Earn Its Way Back, We Can Help
Furniture Soup works with Pennsylvania businesses across commercial offices, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and engineering. New furniture from over 44 vendor partners, quality used and refurbished inventory, and full space planning, delivery, and installation, all under one roof.
Contact us today or call (610) 926-8700. Come check out our showroom at 1031 D MacArthur Rd, Building 2, Reading. Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. Walk in anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do office furniture companies in Reading and Lancaster, PA, typically provide for a return-to-office redesign?
Commercial seating, desks, conference and training tables, cubicle systems, storage, dividers, acoustic panels, and accessories like monitor arms. The better providers also handle space planning, project management, and installation. Furniture Soup serves the Lancaster market out of Reading, PA, and covers all of the above, including used and refurbished inventory for clients on tighter budgets.
How much does ergonomics actually matter when employees return to the office?
People usually notice more than what most owners think they will. When employees have had their home setups for years, they can tell right away if the office chair is not right or if the monitor is too low. By the middle of the afternoon they start to feel tired. The person who has to drive twenty-five minutes to get to the office and then has to sit in a chair will not want to do that again. Having a chair that’s comfortable and a setup that can be adjusted is not something extra; it is something that is necessary for the office. It is a part of what the office needs to have. Ergonomic seating and adjustable setups are infrastructure for the office.
What’s the smartest approach to space planning for a hybrid team in Pennsylvania?
Start with the number of people on your busiest days, not the maximum number that could possibly fit. You should also plan for flexibility. A hybrid team needs areas where people can work together, spots for focus work and private spaces for calls.
Using furniture makes it easier to change the layout as your needs change. It’s an idea to get a space planner involved before you order any furniture or equipment.
Can you mix new and refurbished furniture in the same office project?
You can definitely mix refurbished furniture in the same office project. For a lot of budgets this is the way to go. You should put your investment in the things that people will notice, like seating and the key pieces of furniture that people use to work together. You should also put your investment in the reception area. For things like storage and secondary workstations, it is okay to use refurbished furniture.
What office design trends are actually moving the needle for businesses bringing employees back?
Ergonomic upgrades, properly designed collaboration zones, biophilic elements like plants and natural materials, resimercial comfort touches, and acoustic solutions that give people somewhere quiet to focus. Modular layouts are showing up everywhere because hybrid schedules create variable density day to day.
Does the physical office environment affect whether employees stay or leave?
Consistently, yes. Employees factor workplace quality into retention decisions more than employers tend to assume. A company that calls people back to an uncomfortable, dated space is going to feel that in turnover. One who invested in making the space worth being in has a real advantage.
About the Author
Brenda Gaul | Owner & Lead Designer, Furniture Soup
Reading, Pennsylvania | Custom Furniture & Home Design Specialists
Brenda Gaul is the owner of Furniture Soup and serves as the company’s president and lead commercial interior designer. She has built the firm’s strong reputation by fostering lasting relationships with clients who continue to return for future projects. Brenda leads with a clear focus on delivering thoughtful, functional spaces tailored to the needs of each business she works with.
Alongside her expert team of project managers, designers, and installers, Brenda has helped companies navigate office expansions, relocations, and even liquidations. Furniture Soup has outfitted offices for well-known corporate and manufacturing clients of all sizes, both locally and across the country. Brenda remains hands-on throughout the process, ensuring every project is completed with attention to detail and a commitment to doing things the right way.
For Brenda, the work goes beyond furnishing a space. It is about helping businesses operate more efficiently and creating environments that support growth, productivity, and long-term success. Every project reflects her dedication, experience, and genuine care for the clients she serves.