First impressions matter, and that applies to your office space, too. A welcoming office isn’t just about aesthetics; it fosters a sense of belonging and improves employee well-being, ultimately leading to a more productive and positive work environment. Here’s how to transform your office from bland to grand:
Embrace Warm Colours
A colour palette dominated by harsh fluorescents and sterile whites can feel uninviting. Incorporating warm pastel colours can create a more inviting and energetic atmosphere. Accent walls or designated collaboration areas with these hues to add pops of personality.
According to Haiken, there are many warm colours to add to your palette when it comes to office decoration, such as teal, lemon-yellow, forest green, burnt orange, burgundy reds and crisp whites.
Tame the Tidy Monster
Clutter is the enemy of a welcoming space. Dedicate time to decluttering desks, common areas, and storage spaces. Invest in organisational tools like shelves, bins, and drawer dividers to keep things neat and easily accessible.
According to Fidelis, there are many advantages to having a clean, tidy and clutter-free office space. The first one being that it makes it seem even more relaxing and welcoming, but the benefits to be had include ensuring a great first impression, increasing employee productivity, enhancing employee happiness, safeguarding the health of your workers, reducing risks of slips, trips and falls and ensuring the smooth-running of the office itself.
In addition, it also makes it far easier to be able to locate all your office supplies, from pens and pencils to replacement keyboards and telephones. Create a welcoming, calming office space that everyone will enjoy being in and organise your clutter and tidy away any mess that might be lying around, whether it be on the floor, on shelves or on desks.
Let There Be Art
Blank walls scream boredom. Showcase your company culture and add visual interest by hanging artwork, photographs, or inspirational quotes. Consider rotating pieces to keep things fresh and allow employees to contribute their own creations.
Artwork, no matter how plain or abstract it might be, is a great way of adding personality to your office space. It can take your workspace from being clinical and boring to bright and bubbly in no time at all, and with very little effort required. As well as this, it also gives your employees something to talk about and focus on, making for a wonderful distraction from the stresses and pressures of everyday working life and duties. You could even get your employees involved by asking them about their opinion on which piece of artwork to hang. This way, you’re creating an office for your workers that also has their stamp on it.
Step Up Your Flooring
Worn-out carpets and damaged tiles create a negative impression. Update your office flooring with modern, easy-to-clean options. Consider softer materials like carpeting in high-traffic areas for sound absorption and comfort, and use stylish tile or wood flooring in reception areas or common spaces.
It’s a great way of breathing new life into your office space if you do not have the budget for a complete office renovation in Nottingham. Here at FIT Interiors, there is a wealth of different flooring options available, with a choice of colours, materials and textures for you to choose from.
Breathe Life Indoors
Nature has a calming effect. Bring the outdoors in with potted plants, terrariums, or even a vertical garden. Plants not only improve air quality but also add a touch of life and vibrancy to your office.
According to Root in Nature, there are many benefits to be had by inviting nature into the workspace. Among the benefits are a boost in creativity and productivity, enhanced well-being and reduced stress, a reduction in sick days and absenteeism, improved job satisfaction and employee retention, and, finally, it encourages sustainability and corporate responsibility.
This means that you’ll have nothing to lose and everything to gain by adding some element of nature to the workspace. Something you can include is a potted plant, or even a living wall or a living roof on the exterior of your office building. Anything you can add that is green and living will help to create a welcoming and relaxing office space.
Foster Collaboration
Encourage interaction and team building by creating designated gathering spaces. This could be a comfortable lounge area with plush seating, a high-top table with stools for casual meetings, or even a games room with fun activities. It might sound counterintuitive to have a breakout area dedicated to your employees in the workplace, but they will need somewhere relaxing to take a break from their work.
Whether they’re hanging out together over lunch or are looking for a ten-minute coffee break, it’s imperative that you create a sense of community and togetherness to boost morale and, as a result, productivity. Here at FIT Interiors, we will be pleased to create breakout spaces in Nottingham that you’ll be proud to have as part of your workspace.
Invest in Comfort
Uncomfortable furniture is a productivity killer. Upgrade your office furniture with ergonomic chairs and adjustable desks. Consider adding standing desks or comfortable seating options in break rooms to promote movement and well-being.
New office furniture provides a wealth of benefits for those looking to achieve a more comfortable and relaxing office space. Not only will it look the part, as the office furniture we have on offer here at FIT Interiors is contemporary and available in various designs and colours, but our office furniture pieces are also incredibly comfortable.
Designed with ergonomics in mind, your employees will be able to spend countless uninterrupted hours in our office chairs or spend their entire lunch break relaxing in breakout areas. If you want to make your office space more comfortable, then certainly look at implementing new office furniture.
Let the Sunshine In
According to Rockfon, those who, in the workplace, had an adequate amount of natural light exposure took 6.5% less sick time, on average, than those who did not experience any natural light at all. In addition, employees who experienced more natural light in the office saw an 84% reduction in issues such as headaches, eyestrain and impaired vision, claims the same source.
Natural light has numerous benefits, boosting mood, improving focus, and reducing eye strain, maximising natural light by utilising skylights, keeping window dressings light and airy, and arranging furniture to avoid blocking sunlight.
As such, it’s in the best interests of your business and the health of your employees to try to incorporate as much natural light into your office space as possible. Not to mention you’re also making your workplace far more comfortable for your employees, meaning that they’ll actually want to come into the office
A Welcoming Space is a Productive Space
By implementing these tips, you can create a welcoming office space that fosters a sense of community, improves employee well-being, and ultimately, boosts your company’s success. Remember, a happy and comfortable work environment leads to a more productive and engaged workforce!
FIT Interiors is pleased to offer a wealth of office fit-out services and office renovation services. From new office ceilings and commercial flooring to office furniture and everything in between, there’s nothing FIT Interiors can’t do when it comes to updating your office space. If you would like further information about the office fit-out services in Nottingham we have on offer, get in touch with a member of our friendly, professional team – we’re always happy to hear from you.