Creating a fresh new look in your office space is always an exciting prospect. But starting something new can be daunting and this is very true when it comes to giving your office a fresh new look. Redesigning an office involves careful planning to use your space and your budget to their best advantage and because of this, people often wonder just how often they should be thinking about redesigning their office.
Try this, instead of thinking of it in terms of how long it has been since your last redesign, it’s more important to look for other signs that it might be time to reconsider the redecoration of your office space.
Before the spread of Covid-19, The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 1.4% increase in worker productivity due to improvements in their work place environment from April to June 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
You want to improve productivity
Productivity is shaped by a wide range of factors, but workplace design is among the most significant – and most frequently overlooked. If an office layout doesn’t quite give people the environment they need to be able to do their jobs efficiently, the time lost to those inefficiencies can add up very quickly. If your team doesn’t seem to be as productive as they could be, or if people mention specific problems in the office, redesigning your office could be a very worthwhile option.
What to do? Creating a desirable working environment is proven to boost productivity, so considering what you do with those blank and boring walls that surround your work space can be integral to your success. By using your brand colours, logo, company messaging, your best testimonials and company imaging you can quickly and efficiently create an inspiring and desirable place for your team to flourish.
Your company is changing
Just because an office design worked well for you in the past, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will always be right for you. Whether up or downsizing, companies evolve, and so do their demands of the space and environment they work in. If more people are joining your team, it’s a perfect time to take a good look at the design of your space. Do you need to move things around to make room for modular workstations or change your layout to use your space more efficiently?
What to do? Creating optional work and communal spaces such as breakout zones, meeting areas and solo work areas can make a real difference and help to get the best from your employees. If your have open plan offices, think about using branded pop-up walls to zone out quiet areas.
You’re having problems attracting & retaining talent
Workplace perks aren’t limited to things such as free tea and coffee. Your space as a whole can be a benefit. Work is such a big part of our lives and it’s only natural for people to want to work in pleasant and productive surroundings. People tend to be drawn toward environments that inspire and engage them. As people consider their career opportunities, whether they’re actively looking for a new job or are just wondering what options they have, office design can be a factor in their final decision.
What to do? People like to see that they will be rewarded for hard work and dedication to the company. Reward and staff member walls show prospective employees that you really care about your team and they are more willing to go that extra mile If they know it will be recognised.
A 2001 study by Dole and Schroeder concluded that “employees who are more satisfied with their physical environment are more likely to produce better work outcomes.”
Your space doesn’t reflect your brand
If someone visits your office for the first time, what kind of impression do they get from your space? When companies design their space to include branded elements and to reflect their company culture, people can instantly get a strong sense of what the company is all about. But when there’s a disconnect between perception and reality, visitors and employees can get mixed messages and trust in the company can be compromised. Redecorating your office to better reflect your brand personality will not only help improve perceptions of your brand, it will boost employee morale.
What to do? Start by making sure your branding is clearly visible in your reception area. I’m often surprised by how many companies, small and large, fail at this very point. Also consider promoting your values, showcasing your company story in a timeline or creating a wow-factor feature wall behind your reception desk. By creating these inspiring spaces you increase confidence in your brand and become memorable in the minds of customers long after they have left your office.
Are you ready to redecorate?
If you are excited and ready to redecorating your office space, take a look at the Squark Design website for tips and inspiration.
Need help? Contact Squark Design to discuss your wall design requirements.
