Refresh your business office space for success

Photo by Marc Mueller

You’ll have a long ‘to-do’ list when you’re running a business. But there might be one more than you consider adding to that list: refreshing your business office space. At first glance, that can appear to be a job that appears far down the priorities list. However, studies have shown that where we work has a big impact on how we work, so maybe it’s time to bump it up the list. In doing so, you’ll be enhancing productivity, creating a more enjoyable place to work, and will have a chance to put together an office space that’s in line with your branding.

Need some inspiration on how to push your office space forward? Check out the recommendations below. 

Find the optimal layout

Your office will likely have come with a predetermined office layout. And most businesses just build their operations around that initial layout. However, just because the furniture was laid out in a particular way when you first arrived, that doesn’t mean that it needs to stay that way. Provided you have permission from the rental agency, you can configure the furniture in whichever way you like. Think about what you’d like to achieve in your office — more focused working, more collaboration — and then engineer your desks with those goals in mind. 

Update the decor

Just as with your home, don’t underestimate the value of a lick of paint. It’s one of those things that can make an office feel brand new. If you’re happy with the current decor choices, then a lick of paint will be enough. However, if your office is currently a little uninspiring, then now could be the time to liven things up a little. You may consider decorating your office in line with your branding, which can help to solidify your company’s identity and inspire your employees.

Deep cleaning

You will (hopefully) already have a regular cleaner that helps to keep your office space presentable. But it’s also worthwhile giving the office a deep clean from time to time, going over the spaces that are traditionally overlooked. For example, if you have a carpet, then it’s likely that it’s beginning to look a little grimy with so much foot traffic. Hiring a carpet cleaning company can help to bring it back to new. You may also consider deep cleaning/repairing any branded signs in your office — you may not notice them, but if they’re not looking their best, then you’ll be sending the wrong message to your visitors.

Clear out the clutter

If you’ve been in your office space for a while, then it’s likely that you have a lot of clutter lying around. And this doesn’t just make keeping the office organised more difficult, but it can also negatively impact worker productivity. You can help to create more space (literally in the case of your office, metaphorically in your employees’ minds) by having a rigorous clearout. There’ll be some things you need to keep but don’t need on a regular basis. Those things can go in a storage unit like those available from Sheeplands Storage. For the things that you don’t need, you can simply throw them out or donate them to charity. 

Rethink the entrance

The entrance of your office sets the tone for the rest of the space. That’s true for both your employees and your visitors, not to mention your own experience. So take another look at the outside of your office and consider what sort of message it’s sending. Is it in line with what you want to say as a business, or does it just look like every other office? Not that you necessarily need to completely overhaul the front of the office. Sometimes just giving it a little bit of TLC can be enough to have an impact. Changing the signs, adding some plants, and ensuring it’s bright and spacious will give your office a professional yet welcoming atmosphere. 

Employee feedback

Finally, if you’re stuck on how to make your business premises better, consider asking your employees. After all, they’re the ones who will be working there, and they may well have some ideas of their own that’ll ultimately help them to work better. As with most things, the simplest way to make improvements is to simply get the opinions of the people who will be directly affected by your decision.

Conclusion

Your office may once have been the perfect fit, but it won’t always stay that way. By taking the tips above, you can push your premises — and your business — forward.