Your physical environment affects your mood. Just think about how you feel when when you walk into a messy house, or how you become calm while strolling in a pretty park. The same applies to your office. What kind of mood are you trying to elicit there?
The average American worker spends more than 30 hours a week in the office. It’s no surprise, then, to find that people appreciate a welcoming, inspiring workspace.
Have you looked at your workspace lately? If the office has the same look and feel as the day its doors first opened, it may be time for a facelift.
That said, refitting an office is more than just about looks and appeal. Functionality is vital. Whatever your office facelift entails, it can’t get in the way of productivity. The good news is that creating or reimagining an attractive, practical place for business doesn’t have to be hard.
Here are seven creative ways to spruce up your workspace without compromising utility.
1. Invest in Quality Furnishings
First things first: you need to pick the right office furniture, from chairs and drawers to storage cabinets.
Ergonomic desks and chairs are office essentials. After all, employees spend significant chunks of time seated, so it’s crucial to pay careful attention to design, quality, and comfort. The last thing you need is a killer backache in the middle of a busy workday, and the lost productivity that follows.
Also, every office needs spacious storage systems to accommodate physical files, paperwork, and supplies. Otherwise, it’s at risk of descending into chaos.
Here’s a word to the wise regarding furniture design: just because your office furniture serves a purpose, does not mean it has to be boring. Custom-made office furnishings can add a ton of character to your workspace. What’s more, they can also reflect your brand identity, culture, and ideals.
2. Paint the Walls in Bold Colors
Painting the office is a great way to brighten up the entire space without making extensive changes. Ditch the old white walls for bolder colors such as purple, dark blue, and teal. You can also paint your walls in a medley of shades. Color schemes that use blues, purples, and teals work particularly well for young, trendy offices.
3. Play with Different Lighting Options
When it comes to office lighting, sunlight should be your first choice. Exposure to natural light is said to increase serotonin levels in the body. This, in turn, can boost mental health and improve focus.
Get creative by installing glass, wall partitions in the workspace, wherever possible. You can also use light as fine art to create interactive sculptures and statement pieces.
In case you have a windowless office, changing the artificial lighting can also make a ton of difference. According to a study, blue-enriched white light in the workplace lowers evening fatigue, enhances cognitive function, and reduces eye strain.
4. Choose Creative Wall Art Pieces
Although office walls often go unnoticed, they can take your décor up a notch. Whether you use custom-made wall art pieces for branding or stick to motivational designs and images, decorating the walls is a great way to brighten office space.
You can also get an attractive mural, or a set of framed paintings etched on the walls. The possibilities are endless!
If this your first-time introducing art to your workplace, here are a few tips to set you on the right track.
- Select your artwork before the renovation is complete.
- Pick a theme for the artwork based on your company’s philosophy, culture, and the message you want to send. It’s great to keep a common theme and explore different mediums.
- When choosing the art, be sure to keep your overall color scheme in mind.
- Place the art pieces correctly. For example, colorful artwork is suited to cafeterias, whereas intriguing art is appropriate for conference rooms/meeting areas.
5. Find an Alternative to the Whiteboard
Every office has a standard whiteboard. It’s the go-to for meeting discussions and brainstorming sessions. However, if you want to do things differently, consider going old school with a chalkboard.
Install a chalkboard in your conference room or on the desks of your employees. This way, they’ll have a space to jot down notes while they’re on the phone. It’s classy, convenient, and can also cut paper costs. What’s not to love?
6. Include a Touch of Nature
Nature is a great mood-booster says a study from the University of Minnesota. Make sure you develop some way for your team to connect with nature while they’re inside. This could be as simple as adding a desk plant (one that requires relatively low maintenance, of course) to the décor.
If you or your team don’t want the plant upkeep, position your desks to face the great outdoors. You’ll love to see something green and alive right outside your window.
Even using natural materials such as unpainted wood or bamboo wallpaper can bring a bit more of nature into the office.
7. Say Yes to Flexible Workspaces
Traditional office designs with fixed and assigned desk positions are ancient history. Nowadays, employees crave flexible workspaces that allow them to work on their terms.
Flexibility means your conference room is more than a space for quarterly meetings. It’s where your team can gather and groupthink. It’s where you can meet consultants. Simply put, it’s any space you need it to become at any time.
No matter how big or small your office might be, you can design different zones by maximizing every inch. For example, a cafeteria can also serve as a meeting room, provided it has the right furniture and supports flexibility.
The Bottom Line
A plain, drab office can quickly become a non-productive eyesore. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your office interior sing. All you need is to strike a balance between style and functionality and you will have an office your team (and your clients) just can’t get enough of.
Need new fittings for an office remodel? Look no further than Holland’s Custom Cabinets. We make reception desks, cabinets, seating systems, and more for commercial clients, plus we can help re-design your space. Thanks to our expertise and craftsmanship, we can give you practically anything you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more!
