Making Your Office Space
Professional and Inviting
As you prepare to officially open the doors and launch your small business, there is no doubt you have poured all kinds of time and money into your idea. In fact, your small business is something that may have been in the works for years, which means you’ve pretty much covered everything. Despite a well-written business plan, all the right staff, and a prime location, one thing that can go forgotten is actually the look of the office itself.
By creating an office space that is modern, professional, and laid out in a thoughtful way, you will be creating an image that is clear to employees and clients/customers that you are serious about your venture. So, before you open these doors, here are a few décor and design tips you may want to use.
Get Rid of the Outdated Fluorescent Lighting
Sure, fluorescent lights may be the norm in terms of office spaces, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. This type of lighting is outdated and can often lead to eye strain and can even trigger headaches in some people. It’s just far from inviting. Install a variety of LED light fixtures that not only provide adequate lighting but help to set the design tone in the office space.
Take, for example, the modern pendant lighting from Designer Living. These are the standard lights you’d tend to find in office spaces, which means they can make a real statement in yours. Pendant lights from Astro Lighting, for example, can be perfect over the front reception desk or in meeting rooms, giving a touch of elegance and sophistication to the space.
Scrap the Cubicles
Another thing that is outdated and completely unnecessary is the old-school cubicles. There are plenty of other ways you can create privacy in a large open space without it feeling like the 1980s. Cubicles make the space feel smaller, closed-in, and just too disjointed. It really doesn’t encourage that whole team-work environment that most companies want to create.
Remodel the Restrooms
In the restroom, privacy and cleanliness are to be expected. They will be used by your employees and possible business partners, so you need to make sure that they are well designed, welcoming, and always clean. Make sure to use sensor-activated taps and paper dispensers so that the users can avoid any unnecessary contact, and for extra privacy make sure to install partitions. If you choose to install them, there are many designs and sizes that you can choose from as you can see at onepointpartitions.com.
Use Greenery Throughout the Space
You also want to bring in nature as much as possible, which can be done by using greenery throughout the space. No that doesn’t mean a bunch of artificial plants, we are talking the real deal here. There have been a number of studies conducted that show all kinds of benefits in placing plants throughout the office including such things as higher productivity levels, happier employees, they are able to clean the air, they have been shown to reduce stress, and can even help to muffle noise.
Just make sure that you choose plants that can tolerate the indoor conditions such as low light.
A Few Simple Steps
These are just a few simple steps you can take that will improve the look and feel of your office space, which will have a positive effect on employees and customers alike. Anytime you provide a professional, modern, and comfortable work environment, it’s bound to pay off.
