The role of ergonomic design in creating better ancillary spaces

As the modern workplace shifts toward flexibility and choice, informal and in-between spaces - once considered supplementary - are becoming central to how people work.  

But what’s behind this shift? And why is ergonomics now becoming such a critical factor in furnishing these areas?

What is ancillary furniture?

Ancillary furniture refers to the pieces used to populate non-traditional work settings inside the office:

 

“This is furniture for office lounges, in-between spaces, enclaves, conference rooms, patios, work cafés and other collaborative spaces - areas that don’t represent workers’ primary work settings but are becoming increasingly vital in contemporary work life.”

Coalesse

What furniture is needed for these spaces?

• Sofas and lounge chairs
• Individual booths and pods
• Café tables, stools and benches
• Side tables
• Agile storage and zoning solutions

Rolo seating by Davison Highley

Why are ancillary spaces central to modern work patterns?

Ancillary spaces, such as work cafés or touch-down zones offer environments that can adapt more readily to the changing needs of a workforce where:

Each day is different: You may need a quiet area for deep work in the morning and a collaborative setting in the afternoon. Ancillary spaces allow for that choice.

People want comfort: After spending time working from home and in cafés, employees now expect office spaces that are relaxed and welcoming. Ancillary furniture, such as soft seating, built with high-quality materials and modular layouts, helps create this atmosphere.

The workplace is multigenerational: From Generation X to Generation Z, today’s employees have diverse preferences. Younger workers in particular value posture variety, mobility and casual environments.

Inclusion matters: Ancillary spaces can support neurodiverse employees by offering a range of settings, including low-stimulus areas, quiet zones and comfortable furniture that improves wellbeing.

Outdoor space by Coalesse

Why ergonomics shouldn't stop at your desk

As work becomes more hybrid, people instinctively use furniture and spaces in impulsive and adaptive ways - sitting down for quick chats that turn into longer conversations, leaning against high benches during a huddle, or perching on stools for informal meetings. 

If these spaces don’t support healthy posture, comfort, and inclusivity, they can quickly become friction points instead of productivity boosters

Ergonomic ancillary design in action

When furniture flexes to meet different needs, ancillary spaces can become ultra-adaptive.  

From side tables that transform sofas into agile workstations, to storage units that rapidly divide space, to soft seating designed for movement and posture support - every element can play a role in creating environments where people can focus and refocus with ease.

6 adaptive furniture solutions for ancillary spaces

Here are 6 furniture options for ancillary spaces that maximise comfort and adaptability

1. Tulipan Pod by Industrial Facility

Tulipan pod 

Tulipan is a new kind of soft pod, ergonomically designed to support moments of quiet focus within open, active environments. Rather than shutting people away, Tulipan provides a sense of gentle separation, offering privacy without full isolation.

Its soft, petal-like form helps absorb ambient sound and create a visual buffer, making it feel both inviting and cocooned. Thoughtfully scaled, Tulipan blends architectural presence with personal comfort - a refined response to the need for focused moments in agile, open-plan spaces.

2. Co-chair by Cascando

A smart perching solution for agile collaboration spaces, the Co-Chair bridges the gap between sitting and standing. With its elevated perch height and swivel base, it supports active participation in informal meetings, scrums, or café-style working.

Co-chair by Cascando

3. Luna by JDD

Luna is more than just a stylish seat, it’s built to support the fluid, fast-paced nature of today’s work. Its smooth swivel base allows users to shift focus effortlessly, whether turning to join a conversation, reach for a device, or reorient for a moment of reflection.

Luna seating by Joint Design Direction

Perfectly suited to ancillary settings, Luna offers a welcoming blend of comfort, mobility, and understated elegance -  making it ideal for lounges, breakout zones, in-between spaces, and informal meeting areas. Wherever work happens, Luna keeps you comfortably in the flow.

4. Float Micro by Humanscale

A compact, height-adjustable table that brings real functionality to soft seating areas. Lightweight and easy to move, it allows people to work in a variety of settings without compromising on posture, supporting laptops, notebooks or tablets with ease.

Float Micro by Humanscale

5. Perxa Chair

The Perxa chair, designed by Piero Lissoni for Viccarbe, provides an elegant solution for work cafés, social spaces and informal meeting zones. 

Made from ash wood with smooth curves and generous proportions, it combines ergonomic support with a warm, inviting aesthetic that encourages longer, more comfortable stays. Its stackable design makes it easy to store or reconfigure as needs change, supporting the adaptable rhythms of hybrid work.

Perxa chairs,  by Piero Lissoni for Viccarbe

6. The Pillow Space Collection

In agile offices, storage space needs to move with us. The Pillow Space collection combines acoustic panels with practical storage in one soft-edged, mobile design.  

Pillow Space by Cascando

Ergonomically designed to move easily and support fluid transitions between work modes, these units can be repositioned on castors to zone open spaces, reduce noise or create quieter corners while keeping essentials close at hand.

They are both dividers and organisers, offering structure without rigidity.

Supporting movement, focus and wellbeing

The most effective ancillary environments are not defined by formality but by how well they respond to human needs - and that includes ergonomics.

At Insightful Environments, we help organisations create flexible, human-centred workspaces that go beyond aesthetic appeal. Through considered, ergonomic furniture choices, we help shape spaces that support posture, movement and comfort, wherever work happens

Ready to transform your ancillary spaces into high-performing, people-first environments? Talk to our team to get started.