If you’re going to spend eight or more hours of every day in one place – you should be happy there, right? You deserve to be comfortable in your office, and so should your employees. A welcoming environment can help lift everyone’s spirts, improve morale, and ultimately improve your bottom line.
Here are a few basic tips to make your workspace a place everyone wants to be.
Okay, this one is very basic—but also important. If you rent space, cleaning services may be a part of your lease agreement. If not, it’s easy to find cleaning services that come on a regular basis to keep your office tidy and your bathrooms clean.
At least once a week, spend a little time cleaning up your desk. Throw away or shred unnecessary papers and mail that you’ve already responded to. Encourage your employees to do the same by providing easy access to paper shredders and recycling boxes. Even better, go paperless. But decluttering includes your computer desktop. On a regular basis you should delete old emails, organize finished or ongoing projects into digital files, and clear them off your hard drive.
Florescent light is easy and cheap, but it’s not great for humans. If you rent or lease space, you may not have much say in the type of lighting your office has, but there are still some tips that can help create the best environment for everyone. First, make use of as much natural light as possible. Reserve spaces with the most natural light for meeting or community spaces –-that way everyone benefits. If you can, use clear partitions that allow natural light to filter throughout the office, instead of being blocked by cubicle dividers. And where practical, enhance existing lighting with lamps or LED lights.
Building on the “natural light” theme, if you have the capacity to do so, create an outdoor gathering space for your employees. Fresh air and sunlight are great mood boosters, and you should encourage employees to take advantage of breaks and lunch hours to enjoy some time outdoors and away from their desks.
If you welcome clients to your office, you obviously want to make a good first impression. Pay special attention to the first thing your clients will see -- your entrance. Your entryway should be open and inviting. Keep it clean with no obstacles or clutter. If clients will be waiting for appointments, add comfortable furniture. Beyond that, you know best what impression you want your business to make – traditional, reliable, and predictable or bold, progressive, and daring. Add design elements accordingly.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to spruce up the look of your office. Here are a few quick hits that can pack a powerful, decorative punch.
Don’t be afraid to express your personality—or your company’s personality--through art and décor. With a little effort you can turn your office into a place both you and your employees want to show up to every day. You’ll be happier and so will your employees.
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