How you design your workspace will often affect the levels of productivity and motivation both for you and your employees. After all, the office look can alter its feel, and both are at the very core of your ability to do your job without any setbacks.
However, if you’re not certain where to begin, you can rely on the following guidelines to find the best design practices for a professional-looking office. Not everyone is the same, so using a templated approach can backfire, hence the need to personalize your space and make the most of your preferences and character!
1. Add a touch of Green
Even the smallest and most limited of spaces can get a dash of fresh air with a few plants here and there. There’s no need to over-stuff your office with them, but whether you add a lovely aloe vera to your desk, go for a larger, sassier plant next to your desk, or make an entire little garden in the common area, plants are a great way to freshen up the space and give it a touch of Zen.
Wall gardens can also be a nice detail inside the office, in case you need something low-maintenance that will boost the décor.
2. Simplify your color palette
We all know that grey and white are always a safe choice for an office, but they also make the space feel cold and impersonal, often suffocating creativity and communication. With just a little bit of vibrancy and warmth, you can transform the office into a much more collaborative, yet professional space.
Depending on your company’s purpose, you can opt for a bright red as an accent to your white, or a splash of orange. If you add the plants, you already have a smidgen of green, so you can mix and match with the furniture as well.
3. Use the right tech
Aesthetics is not the only factor to consider when you’re revamping your office for a more professional impact. On the contrary, providing yourself and your employees with the right essentials can lead to a much more productive environment!
For example, using noise-cancelling headphones to minimize noise and a comfortable keyboard and mouse allows you to increase your performance. Moreover, add a high-resolution Samsung monitor to your ensemble, and you can work with ease and strain-free.
4. Air and light matter
A seemingly irrelevant part of your office look and feel, and yet it causes many a sick day to occur, and your productivity to drop – the air and light quality is actually as important as your equipment, because in a way, they are your most essential fuel to do your job well.
Installing proper air filters, air conditioning for those hot summer days, and using high-quality lighting to enable you to work without eye strain are all crucial for a professional setting. Do your best to use natural daylight as much as possible, but LED lights are one of your best second options for winter days at the office.
5. Never enough storage
There’s no need to waste time looking for a particular document, or to sift through piles of useless paper if you can organize your workspace and achieve a more efficient, professional environment. For example, you can use transparent drawers attached to your desk or vertical storage for the most important contracts, invoices, and the like.
On the other hand, make sure to reduce clutter on your desk, so keep your files in digital format as much as possible –not only is it eco-friendly, but it also makes for a more productive way to conduct business.
6. Get personal
Professional doesn’t mean free of all things that resonate with your personality or help you stay motivated. Using a handful of knickknacks that don’t take up too much space but still bring a smile to your face can elevate the look of your work station immediately. After all, the once beloved idea of a bland, cookie-cutter office has long been abandoned in favor of more personalized workspaces!
Feel free to add a photo frame with your loved ones, a quirky pencil holder or a mouse pad, or a mug with a message that will always make you feel welcome in your own little work nook.
7. Comfort for the win
Finally, you should focus not only on form and function in your search for the right office furniture, but also think of your long-term wellbeing. We all know that our sedentary lives aren’t the best option, so finding an ergonomic chair and a desk of suitable height will help you make those hours much more comfortable.
