If you want to get a little more productivity from your office staff, consider the place where they spend most of the day. There is definitely a reason for the stereotype of a boring office job. A dull, uninspiring and unchanging workplace can negatively impact productivity and efficiency. Sprucing up the office is something that your hard-working employees will certainly appreciate, and a workplace makeover can be a lot less expensive than you think. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Plants and Flowers
One of the easiest ways to bring life into your office is to occupy nooks and corners with potted evergreen plants and flowers. You would be surprised at the diversity of low-maintenance botanical species that will thrive in an indoor setting. One of the advantages of plants in the office is that they are known to spark up creativity among staff members.
Another definite advantage is that having live plants in the office brings in more oxygen. Having plants around indoors helps people feel more energetic and rested. Natural plants are, therefore, the best choice, but even plastic and silk arrangements will look good in your office. These faux-plants will also last longer with absolutely no maintenance, so if you are on a budget they can be a really good idea.
Embracing Minimalism
If your office has become cluttered over the years, you should strongly consider reorganizing. With the help of a separate storage space you can go for a chic, modern, minimalist look. In Japan, corporate offices in the 21st century are embracing minimalism by going paperless. They’re also moving the digital infrastructure to the cloud and reducing the total amount of hardware used.
The trick is to keep surfaces neat and clear as much as possible, with just one or two decorative pieces. Involving your employees in the clean-up could give them a nice break from their mundane routines as well. You shouldn’t go overboard though, as giving your employees some leeway with how to decorate their own individual space is also important.
Upgrading Office Furniture
Whenever possible, take your office manager shopping for new furniture and inquire about staff preferences in terms of style, color and ergonomics. Some companies like D&R Office Works, Inc specialize in office chairs and furniture. No matter who you buy from though, if you can purchase in bulk you will probably save money. A nice touch would be to keep installation as a surprise; you can give your staff a day off and ask them to pack their belongings for cleaning and fumigation. Returning to a brand new workstation is a very strong morale booster.
Painting and Decoration
A fresh coat of paint, a few prints and new lamps can completely renew the look of your office. It can also serve as an opportunity to engage employees by asking them to provide ideas for interior design. You can always consult a design professional as well to make sure that you are able to work in their suggestions well. Instead of settling for institutional eggshell white, ask your employees about accent walls, pastel colors and artwork that would match their personal style or the mission of the company.
Giving your employees the ability to provide input on the look of the office will help them develop a sense of ownership and belonging. Also, you can seldom go wrong with framed prints of masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and other old masters. In the end, the minimal investment required to spruce up your office can go a long way in terms of boosting the morale and productivity of your employees.
