Let’s face it: office spaces can be notoriously boring. Whether it’s gray and white walls or fluorescent lighting, an office that has not received any TLC can be difficult and dull to work in. If you’re looking for ways to liven up your office space, the ideas below can help.
Consider a Theme
If you want to completely overhaul the look and feel of your office, why not come up with a theme? This is a fun and productive way to involve all your employees and collectively decide on a theme that they will enjoy working in. If you want to modernize an old and drab space, for example, get everyone brainstorming ways to boost it back to life. Deciding on a theme will help you choose your décor and furniture, too.
Go with Color
Most offices are surrounded by white or cream walls. As part of your theme, it’s a good idea to consider adding colors that can inject some life back into the space. Whether you want bright and bold, or a more calm and subdued option, color can make a world of difference—whether it’s a splash on the walls or new items of bright furniture.
Bring in the Greenery
Plants—whether fake or real—are another way to improve the look and feel of your office. As well as getting your staff to add plants around their desk, you can also brighten up the rooms by adding hanging baskets and by planting large plants near the reception area. Plants not only lighten the mood and make the office feel less “artificial,” but some greenery also provides health benefits by purifying theair.
Do a Deep Clean
An office makeover will not achieve much if everything is messy and cluttered. Therefore, you may also want to do deep clean of the entire office. This is best done before you start the makeover as it allows you to get rid of old items and freshen up the space. As well as hiring a professional cleaning company, ask staff to clean out their desks and set up a deep-clean rota to deal with areas such as printing and photocopying rooms, staff rooms, meeting rooms, etc.
Rearrange Furniture (or Buy New)
Depending on your budget, you could buy completely new furniture or simply work with what you have. A simple rearrangement of the furniture can truly transform the look of a space. While your staff may grumble at the prospect of moving from their favorite spot, a change in energy can often be beneficial for their mood and momentum.
However, make sure the rearrangement encourages a sense of community between your employees. A sparse-looking room may look good on the eye, but you may end up sacrificing employee satisfaction and productivity.
Update Your Fixtures
Lighting is another dramatic way to transform a space. If your office is surrounded by fluorescent lighting, swap it for softer LEDs and halogens instead. While these are a bit more costly, the effect it has on the room (and on employee comfort) can be dramatic. Lighting can also add design and modernization to an otherwise dull and boring office.
Have Fun with the Décor
Last, but not least, make sure you have fun with the décor. An office makeover should include colorful and modern art, furnishings, window blinds, chairs, etc. You could even incorporate the odd mirror to bounce light across the room.
