A well-designed office can create a good impression on clients and help employees to be happier and more productive. Here are a few ways in which you can give your office a makeover and turn it into a more stylish and practical environment.
Choose the right layout
Do you opt for booths or go open plan? Many companies opt for open-plan simply because it’s cheaper. Open-plan layout can also improve communication, however they’ve also been found to reduce concentration making them potentially inappropriate for jobs that require intense focus. Some companies combine the two, having both an open-plan area and a closed-off area so that employees can switch between the two depending on whether they want fast communication or privacy/concentration.
Contain clutter
Clutter will make your company look messy and disorganised. Make sure that there are enough storage units for containing clutter or take steps to cut down on excess supplies and tools. Many companies are now going paperless – this can save space as well as saving costs and saving the environment. This could even allow you to get rid of unnecessary machinery such as printers and scanners
Improve the comfort
It’s important that you and your employees feel comfortable as you work. Look into ergonomic office chairs as available from companies such as Apex Furniture that will provide the right support. You should also consider the position and height of desks – you don’t want people to be craning over them or too close to a wall in which they don’t have enough elbow room. On top of this, look into your heating/air conditioning – having good temperature control will further improve comfort for everyone.
Brighten it up
Too many offices are dimly-lit, which can lead to headaches and a general depressing mood. Make sure that there is enough lighting – if you can’t increase the amount of natural light getting in, consider ways to add extra artificial lighting. Opting for a bright colour scheme could help to brighten the place up.
Use colour psychology
You can also improve productivity through use of colour. A sterile white look may not always be the most suitable – studies have found that various colours can have an impact on productivity. Blue is good for concentration, red is good for practical work and green is good for inspiring creativity. Start finding ways to incorporate these colours into your office décor.
Add some office plants
Being cooped up indoors all day isn’t good for our health – plants can provide a connection to the outside world. Office plants have also been found to boost concentration and memory, which could be down to the fresh source of oxygen that they supply. You can buy office plants at sites such as Superplants.
Don’t forget the exterior.
One of the most common mistakes that business owners make when giving their office or workspace a makeover is forgetting to touch up the building’s exterior too. While this may not seem too important, the outside of your office or store is the first thing that your clients will see when they pull up outside – and will no doubt alter their perception of your brand. For example, if you run a construction business, but your own offices appear to be in a state of disrepair, you are going to find it hard for the client to trust you moving forward. In fact, an unclean or poorly maintained commercial property may stop customers from coming through the door altogether as they do not want to waste their time.
As a result, it’s important to understand that now office makeover is complete without paying some attention to the exterior of your property. This could include installing new signage to grab the attention of passers-by, working alongside a Trusted Paving Contractor to repair any cracks in your commercial paving, or even simply cleaning the windows regularly.
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