Four great ways to updating your office space

June 30, 2020 4

If you are a sole trader, or you are the head of a larger business operation, your office space will be very important to you. Taking pride in both the appearance, layout and quality of the office space you provide to your employees is vital. If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you might have had to pack up your office space.

You’ve also had to send your employees home for a time. Once this pandemic is over, you’ll be returning to your treasured space for a fresh start. Life after COVID-19 will inevitably be a little different; one thing you know for sure is that your office space may need updating.

Whether it’s a design flaw that doesn’t allow social distancing enforcement, a small break room, or a shabby space, here’s four great ways to update your office space!

It Isn’t Just An Interior Job

Many business owners focus entirely on the interior of their office. Those main focuses are design, furnishing quality and usability. While this, of course, is important, the outside of your office space is the first impression. That means that if a potential customer or client comes to your location, their first impression of your business will be what they see from the outside. Factors such as parking, brightness, and easy accessibility should all be considered when you are looking to upgrade your space.

Companies such as K&E Flatwork can improve both the appearance and safety of your office building’s outdoor space. Implementing efficient, cost-effective parking lot paving will increase the accessibility of your workspace, allowing potential customers to have a fantastic first impression of you.

Casual is The New Black

We get it: offices are for work, not relaxation. However, many businesses are now opting for a more casual layout for their office spaces. Some offices purchase bean-bag chairs and couches for their employees to take advantage of throughout the day. This is an example of a way to make the office more relaxed, giving it a contemporary feel. If your business struggles to recruit young blood, this could be a game-changer when it comes to opening up your office to the younger generation of workers.

Similarly, enforcing strict dress codes for the office has gone out of fashion. Most new businesses nowadays ask their employees to dress smartly and presentably, but allow them to express their own style in a free, welcoming office environment.

A Natural Environment

Helping your office feel breathable and as stress-free as possible can be challenging. With all the day-to-day stresses we face when at work, it can be almost impossible to implement stress-relief at the office. However, one way of reducing stress is by creating a natural environment in the workplace.

Research shows that having indoor plants in your space can reduce stress drastically. Plants are a great stylistic addition to your office; they are also proven by science to reduce anxiety and stress.

“Green is the most predominant color on the planet after blue. Green balances our energies,” says plant expert Chanel de Kock. “…it can be used to increase our sensitivity and compassion towards others, and the care we put into our plants is also an act of mindfulness, connecting us with nature.”

By encouraging your employees to water and take care of the office plants, and simply by being around them every day, stress is likely to decrease. Returning to work after COVID-19 might feel very anxiety-inducing for some people. This is true after being in quarantine for a long period of time at home. These additions to your space are relatively inexpensive, beautiful, and most importantly, stress-relieving.

Collaborative Layout

Many offices still utilize the old-fashioned style of desk layouts in the office. This layout would include employees facing away from each other in small cubicle-like desks, supposedly to reduce socialization and encourage productive work. However, contemporary offices have begun increasing the collaborative nature of their working environment by encouraging workers to sit together. This style of working might increase the social, non-work conversations in the office, but more importantly, they give employees the boost they need to truly cooperate at work.

There’s that old phrase, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’, and it’s true! Having a collaborative office layout perpetuates the camaraderie needed for awesome teamwork, taking your business to the next level.