The design and layout of your office space will either inspire or completely discourage the productivity of your workers, so when choosing a design, you need to be very careful. However, if you’re a young business and just starting out, you probably won’t be able to afford to spend too much money on your office. What this means is that you’ll have to come up with an engaging office space without blowing your budget. If you’re not sure how to tackle this task, we’ve prepared a list of some guidelines that should help inspire you. So, let’s check them out.
Be Practical
When designing an office space, regardless of your budget, you should think in terms of practicality above all else. Your personal tastes and preferences should not play a major role in your office design, since you won’t be the only person using it. Therefore, try to maximize the practicality of your office space instead. Think in terms of appropriate lighting, comfortable furniture, and the overall functionality of the space.
Also, if you’re renting the office space, you need to discuss all the changes you wish to implement with your landlord first. Further, if you’re renting, it’s always smarter to leave the space as is and only invest in pieces you’ll be able to take with you if you ever have to relocate. Finally, it would be best to go with traditional office pieces you know you’ll be able to buy more of if and when your business starts growing.
Use the Space to the Max
When furnishing your office space, try to determine where you’ll position your employees, which room will become the break room and where you will hold your formal, as well as informal meetings. Again, if you are renting the office space, refrain from permanent solutions when it comes to dividing the office but think in terms of various dividers and glass panels to create separate areas.
Also, there’s no reason to waste a lot of money on big meeting room tables and other bulky furniture. Instead, go for items, such as a multi-purpose round flip top table, you can use in other areas (e.g. breakroom) once the meeting is done. This type of furniture is very practical, since you can use it when you need it, and later simply store it away.
Make Room for Positive Vibes
A happy workforce makes for a successful business. Therefore, you need to put your employees’ wishes first when designing their work environment. Some of the cheapest and easiest ways you can do that include allowing your employees to customize and personalize their workstations.
Allowing them to keep framed family or pet photos on their desks will make your workers more engaged because, this way, they will be able to create a comfortable environment that oozes coziness. You can also decorate your office space with potted plants that will not only instantly elevate the look of your interior, but also make the indoor air more fresh and healthy.
Turn Your Brand into the Office Design
Strict dress codes and work uniforms are things of the past. However, there is a new trend that’s gaining in popularity, and it comes in the form of personalized branded t-shirts. To elaborate, you can design branded t-shirts (for example, place your company logo on the back of the shirt), allow your employees to customize them, and encourage them to wear the shirts when in the office. This will not only instill a sense of belonging in your workers, but it will also make all of you seem like a unified whole to any outside observers, like potential customers or business partners.
Further, you can also make personalized mugs for all of your employees. Not only is this a practical and fun gift, and everybody likes receiving gifts, but it is also yet another way you can make your workers happy and satisfied, which will definitely be reflected in their performance.
As you can see, you don’t have to spend a fortune to create an engaging environment that will encourage work and productivity. You just need to think outside the box and ask your employees to help you out, because they will be the ones most affected by their working environment.
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