As the year ends, many businesses will take the opportunity to refresh their office for the New Year. A well-timed office refurbishment can do wonders for your company. That includes boosting employee morale, increasing productivity or just enhancing your brand image. However, an office refurbishment doesn’t have to mean knocking down walls or pulling down ceilings.
There are loads of small yet effective things you can do that can still be defined as “refurbishment”. But without going overboard this Christmas. At one of the busiest times of the year for businesses, the last thing you want is disruption. With this in mind, here are seven small office refurbishments you can make before Christmas gets fully underway, all of which can be achieved with the help of us here at FIT Interiors.
1. Give your walls a fresh lick of paint
A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a space if it’s looking a little tired and outdated. You’ll be amazed by the difference it can make. Whether you choose a whole new colour or simply refresh the paint that’s already there, a new lick of paint will turn your office from dull and drab to vibrant and cared for. If you want to reflect your brand, then perhaps choose a colour that relates to your logo or general image.
If, however, you aren’t interested in matching the office with your brand image, then you could choose more neutral tones. Opt for soft greys or muted blues to create a calming professional atmosphere. Alternatively, you could create a cosy and relaxing space with the addition of browns and nudes. Read our blog post about how important colour is in the workplace for more information about how it can impact employee mood, morale and even their productivity.
2. Upgrade your lighting
Lighting is a really important part of any workspace. Depending on the colour, tone and brightness of the lighting you’re choosing, it can elevate employee moods and boost productivity. However, the more natural the lighting is, the more positive the impact is on your workforce. Upgrading your lighting helps in terms of employee morale and productivity. It can also help you financially.
Swapping out filament lightbulbs for LED alternatives will save you money in the long run. Not only do they require less energy, but they last for years. In addition, LED lighting is far better for the environment. So not only are you benefiting financially, but you’re also minimising your carbon footprint in the workplace. Here are some lighting options that could be considered in a modern workplace:
- Ambient lighting – this will evenly illuminate the entire space. It sets the overall tone and mood for the office as a whole. It can create a safe environment for employees to move around the workplace, and it helps to boost contraction levels in areas where focus is required
- Comfort lighting – this can have a large impact on creating a positive working environment. The lighting levels can help to reduce eye strain as they most resemble natural lighting, which can help to boost productivity
- Task lighting – this provides a localised illumination that’s perfect for desks or for areas where a higher level of contraction is needed. It’s often bright and comes from above to prevent screen glare when the surrounding light is low. It can be supplemented with spot lighting closer to the workspace as and when needed
3. Reconfigure the layout
If your workforce has expanded or contracted over the last year, then it’s a good idea to reconfigure your office space. This can be done to maximise space, rather than move premises. It can also enable you to create flexible zones, such as quiet spaces for focusing, collaborating or socialising. Adding modular office furniture is a great way to flex your space up or down, and office partitioning would also make your life easier if you want to relocate areas of the office or make them bigger or smaller, depending on demand.
4. Update your furniture
Now is a great time to go around and inspect your existing office furniture. If you find any pieces that are tired, worn or uncomfortable, then you should think about replacing them in time for a new year to start. Office furniture that is modern and up to date will often be more ergonomic, therefore elevating comfort, style and employee health.
You should also go around and see where equipment needs to be replaced, such as computer monitors, keyboards, laptops, laptop risers, mouse pads and more. Don’t forget desk chairs and the desks themselves. Your employees need to be happy and comfortable at all times, so treat them to some new office furniture for Christmas.
5. Add some festive touches
Seeing as it’s Christmas, it’s only right to bring in some festive cheer. Put up Christmas trees, hang some tinsel from the ceilings, put up some lights and play some festive tunes to keep morale high and Christmas spirit glowing. People need a little escape from normality, and Christmas cheer provides them with just that. You could also encourage the wearing of Christmas jumpers and raise some money for charity. A few subtle changes will go a long way.
6. Bring in greenery
Plants are low-cost and a great way to improve air quality and add life to any workspace. According to Metrikus, there are multiple benefits of adding greenery to your office space, including: an increase in productivity, a reduction in stress levels, an improvement of oxygen levels, updated workspace aesthetics, a reduction of sickness rates, minimising noise pollution and a reduction of energy usage. Choose low-maintenance options like snake plants, pothos or succulents. A few strategically placed pots can instantly make your office feel fresher and a lot more inviting.
7. Declutter & organise your office space
Just as you’d do a spring clean, Christmas and New Year are the best times to give your office a tidy and a declutter. This would be the ideal thing to do before you undergo any refurbishment work. Dispose of things that are broken and donate items that still work and are in good condition to keep your carbon footprint low. Consider adding smart storage options to house all of your office supplies, and think about digitising your paperwork to reduce the number of filing systems needed. All of this will aid in your office refurbishment venture on the run-up to Christmas.
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If you’d like to learn more about our office refurbishment services in Nottingham and how we can help transform your workspace, get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team today – we can also offer office fit-out services, including the installation of breakout areas, commercial washrooms, suspended ceilings, office partitioning and more.