Almost everyone who has ever worked in an office has, at some point, worked in a bad office. You know the sort: dingy lighting, a headache-inducing lack of fresh air, and what looks like possible mouse droppings in the corner of the staff kitchen. Once you have a little more control over where you work and you’re able to make some decisions about the building, you’ll feel fantastic. Here are a few tips that will help you work out what’s best for your office…
Make Sure There’s No Clutter
First of all it’s time to make sure that there isn’t any clutter in your office. Not only does it not look great, but clutter can also prove to be dangerous, creating slipping hazards and possibly injuring people by falling on them. If you haven’t already, it’s time to start considering storage solutions carefully. Going paperless is a decision that a lot of companies are making – not only is it good for the environment but it also dramatically reduces the amount of paper that you’ll have to find space for.
Focus On Space And Light
It’s a good idea to make sure that you focus on having plenty of space and a lot of natural light. We all know that personal space is important for people so make sure that your employees aren’t seated too close together. However, it’s important for them to sit together close enough to be able to share their ideas easily – it’s a delicate balance. Plenty of natural light will help, and will also lower your energy costs.
Get The Professionals In
If it’s time to make some major changes then you should probably talk to the professionals. No matter how much you think you know and how many years you’ve spent working in airless vacuums, it won’t be enough – talk to some builders who know about how design and construct and can make your everyday office life a lot more pleasant.
Listen To Your Employees
Make sure that you listen to what your employees want out of a work space – after all, they’re the ones who have to actually use it every day, so their opinions are hugely important. Trust them to know what they want out of where they work, and try to fulfil those wants as much as you can, from ergonomic chairs to a comfortable, clean break room where they can eat lunch every day. Respect the needs and wishes of the people who work for you and you’ll find that you get that respect back tenfold from them.
Add Some Greenery
Finally, it’s time to add some greenery to your office, from pot plants along the windowsill in the sun to a small garden courtyard with benches where people can go and take some time out and refocus during the middle of the day. Bringing the natural world into your office is important – not only is it aesthetically beautiful but the plants will also improve the air quality of the office. Just make sure you water them regularly!
