Facility managers are navigating one of the biggest workplace shifts in decades. From hybrid models and flexible footprints to sustainability mandates and smarter data use, the way we plan and manage space has changed for good.
IFMA’s 2024 Space Planning Benchmark Report shows just how much facility managers are rethinking the way space is used, managed and valued. With input from 453 organizations across industries, the report highlights a clear shift: flexibility, technology and employee experience now drive space planning decisions.
Daily site populations are down significantly from pre-2020 levels, with an average of just 2,001 people per site. That’s reshaping how space is allocated, how often it’s used and how success is measured. Over half (53%) of organizations have implemented flexible workspace strategies — up from 38% in 2020 — with the services sector leading the way.
As organizations embrace hybrid work, they’re also turning to technology to help make sense of it all.
While 81% of organizations use automated booking tools, only 13% have moved into true AI territory — like predictive analytics or generative design. It’s early days, but this frontier promises to change how facility professionals forecast needs and design responsive environments.
Technology is only one part of the equation. Designing spaces that support people, and not just processes, is equally essential.
Top goals for 2024 include employee comfort (66%), flexibility (62%) and technology integration (48%). Nearly three-quarters of organizations now include open collaborative areas, and more than half offer bookable desks, quiet zones or multipurpose amenity spaces. It’s a clear sign that “space” is being redefined to support both productivity and well-being.
This shift marks a fundamental redefinition of success in facility management. Comfort, wellness and inclusivity are no longer nice-to-haves, they’re strategic imperatives. Spaces are being designed around how people feel, not just what they do.
Nearly half (49%) of all furniture purchased in 2024 was used or refurbished, a massive increase from 16% in 2002. This trend reflects growing environmental awareness and smarter cost management.
Average workspace utilization sits at 78%, down from 86% in 2010, while vacancy rates hover around 14%. As organizations experiment with hybrid schedules, right-sizing remains both a challenge and an opportunity.
Facility management today is about more than square footage. It’s about curating experiences, supporting collaboration and ensuring that every design decision serves both organizational goals and human needs.
IFMA’s 2024 Space Planning Benchmark Report captures a profession in transition. One that’s using data, design and technology to shape spaces that are not just efficient, but meaningful. Download the full report to see how your organization compares and where facility management is heading next.