Is your office on the cutting edge?

If a look around your office provides a very similar image today than it did when you first started with your company, chances have it that the office design is missing the mark.

Today’s cutting-edge offices know that contemporary interior design is an important part of staying competitive in today’s business world. By taking a quick inventory of today’s business climate, it’s easy to see why modern and contemporary design is so important. That’s because today’s workers value technology, innovation, and change. If your office doesn’t represent these values, it’s time to take inventory.

 

Modern Office Decor

Efficient lighting design for office cubicles

Does it feel a little dark in your office cubicle?  Do you find yourself rubbing your eyes for relief half way through each day?  If so, you’re not alone.  Poor lighting is a common factor in far too man office cubicles.

Cubicles are often positioned in the middle or in a corner of a large office space.  While this might work to concentrate all the cubicles in one area, it often leaves employees relying on overhead fluorescent lights to conduct work.  This is not only hard on the eyes, but it’s hard on the senses.  Natural light is a far better choice.

Try to position your cubicle system so that natural light is abundant.  It’s fine if employees utilize a desk or floor lamp, but you want to be certain that you aren’t positioning the cubicles in an office area that is dark and gloomy.  That positioning will do nothing for morale, which does nothing for productivity.  Come on.  Shed some light on the subject! 

 

Light Cubicles

Custom office furniture lets you work smarter

When choosing office furniture, functionality is a key ingredient to a successful product.  That’s why your purchases should reflect custom office furniture that works for you, not against you.  As you set out to order new furniture, meet with your interior designer to discuss more functional options.  All too often we work around our existing furniture, meaning we work from wherever our desk is situated, regardless if that location works well for us or not.  

A professional designer is guaranteed to be up-to-date on all of the newest furniture designs.  So, this means that you can describe your work needs to your designer, and he or she can offer furniture ideas that will compliment your work lifestyle and the space you have available.  Designers can help you identify the appropriate size of your new furniture and will take factors such as storage issues into consideration.

Remember, the key is to work smarter, not harder.  With custom office furniture that adjusts to your work life, you’re guaranteed to compete for that “smartest guy in the room” award.

 

Custom Office Furniture

Contemporary Office Design for Contemporary Business

I’ll admit that I’m a bit of a picky shopper when it comes to giving a business my repeat service.  That’s why I found myself at yet another new salon yesterday for a haircut.  The stylist I visited previously did a great job, but there was something about the salon that turned me off.  It could have been the flowery wallpaper that looked like it had been hanging since the 80s, or it could have been the photos of the women with big bushy hairstyles that were also severely outdated.  

My point is not to share all the negatives of my past salon visit, but to prove that contemporary office design matters, especially for contemporary businesses.  Even if you provide a great service, your office decor makes a huge impression on the people who walk through your doors.  Many of these people are like me…they want to give you their business, but it has to feel right for them.

This is exactly why the salon I visited yesterday will get my business again.  Not only did the stylist give me a fantastic haircut, but I felt good being there.  First, the salon promoted efficient lighting design by maximizing its premier downtown location.  One entire corner of the building (two connecting walls) boasted huge glass windows so that clients can see to the life outside…and potential clients can see in.  Additionally, rather than decorating with drab wallpaper, this salon was painted a deep, natural green that complimented its philosophy of natural skin and hair products.  Several interior design ideas were strategically placed throughout the space, including modern art and sculptures (not old, outdated model photos) and contemporary furniture.  

What else did I notice?  The light, bamboo-colored and natural wood floors that brought a light and open feeling to the salon.  Additionally, large, living plants sat in the corners next to comfy couches that served as the reception area.

So, while your product and service might be top notch…remember that your office design might just be the one thing that brings the sale home.

 

Contemporary Office Design

Office Space Planning for a Consistent Look

Updating your office requires more than a trip to the local office decorating and supply store.  Simply adding a few new features here and there might help your pocketbook, but it does little for the overall office decor that you’re attempting to improve.  

If your office is in need of a redesign, start by conducting some constructive office space planning that will make the job worth it.  First think about those things that absolutely must be changed, whether it be furniture or decorations.  Next, plan for the integration of your new items.  Then, take a step back.  Will those existing items that don’t need to be changed still function effectively with your new items?  Will they blend together for an overall appealing look, or will your office end up looking like a poorly matched collage with little consistency?

In other words, don’t skimp by completing half of the job.  Make sure that your office look is consistent throughout.  So, if you’ve updated your carpet in the reception area, make sure your paint color, accessories, and wall art match.  Or, if you’ve upgraded to a large oak office desk, be sure that your guest and office chairs match the new piece.

After all, the only design flaw worse than an outdated office is a mismatched office.  Plan your office space wisely for a beautiful design and a functional layout!

 

Office Space that Flows

Design Tips for the Office Lunchroom

I’ve quickly learned that there are so many benefits to staying in the office for lunch.  The most obvious reason that I choose this route is to save money.  Even spending $5 a day on lunch can add up quickly.  The second reason I like to stay in is for the health benefits.  Grabbing lunch on the go almost never seems to include too many healthy options.  

 

The problem with staying in the office for lunch, however, is that our lunch break never seems to be very exciting.  We often need a simple change of scenery to really make our break worth it.  However, I found several design tips for implementing a more modern decor into the office lunchroom.  By customizing tables with patterns that brighten up the lunchroom area and by covering chairs with Crypton fabric, a drab lunchroom can suddenly have new life.  And, if your employees are anything like me, it’s exactly that new life that can carry them through the afternoon portion of the workday!

 

Lunchroom Table and Chairs

Ergonomic Office Chairs are Integral Office Design

One of the most frequently asked questions I hear about office design is “what is ergonomics?”  Sure, it’s a new concept, but it’s also one that should become common in each office.  This is because ergonomics isn’t just a way to design office furniture and equipment so that workers can work more comfortably and efficiently.  Instead, ergonomic office furniture is a way of designing the actual job to meet the demands of its workers.  In short, ergonomics is a way of designing office equipment so that it is comfortable, user friendly, and supportive to each employee.

The most frequently used piece of office furniture is the office chair, so let’s start our discussion by revising the look, feel, and function of our offices by using ergonomic office chairs.  By choosing office chairs that are supportive to each and every employee’s different body shape, an office is guaranteed to create a more productive work environment.

When shopping for your new ergonomic office chairs, ensure that the chairs are adjustable to support each employee’s back, neck, shoulders, and arms.

 

Ergonomic Office Chairs

Patio Furniture Sets are Ready for Summer

The spring and summer months often play tricks on our working minds. Thoughts of evening baseball games, weekend concerts or festivals, and trips to the local watering hole often make it very hard to stick to our office chairs and desks. A view from a nearby window might help, but I’m a firm believer that all offices should give their employees play time during warmer months. If you’re picturing school recess, you’re on the right track. However, a quick mid-day game of kick ball doesn’t exactly go with my work wardrobe.

Still, many of today’s businesses are seeing the benefits of offering their employees some “outdoor time.” And, the best way to do this is to set up an outdoor area and decorate it with patio furniture sets that are both comfortable and functional. The addition of modern patio furniture to an office creates a new sense of freedom and can actually inspire creativity. Go ahead…let your employees have get some fresh air and have a little play time. You just might want to think twice when they start requesting a blow-up pool and water shields for their laptops!

 

Outdoor Office Furniture

Office Furniture Shows New Life

It’s hard to keep furniture clean, especially if your office sees a lot of traffic and wear and tear.    If this sounds familiar, I encourage you to try Crypton fabric for your office upholstery.  You might decide to refurbish old pieces with Crypton fabric, or buy new office furniture that’s made of Crypton.

This fabric doesn’t have the unattractive look of vinyl, but it performs like it.  Dirt and stains are easy to clean, and wear and tear mean nothing to this fabric.  Go ahead–let your clients’ kids jump on the fabric.  Better yet, eat your lunch in this chair without worrying about spills.  Using Crypton fabric for your new or refurbished office furniture makes a lot of sense!

 

Crypton Fabric

Used Cubicles Have Benefits

Reorganizing your office takes not only time, but it also takes money.  While your budget should certainly account for new furniture items that will add comfort and style to the office, you might be surprised at the savings you can find in used products.  

Now, I’m not talking about abused and worn-out models of last year’s greatest product.  I’m talking about “gently used” items that are not only functional, but also meet your company’s needs.  One furniture system that you might find used is cubicles.  Often, companies switch from the office cubicle system to a more open floorplan when they remodel, so “gently used” can often look brand new if the cubicles have been well cared for.  And, if there are a few minor scrapes or scratches, you might consider giving your used cubicles a fresh look by using fabric to cover cubicle parts. 

Of course, there are also environmental benefits to this approach.  Reusing an office’s cubicles that are no longer needed means you’re saving them from the landfill, and you’re stopping the need for new cubes to be made.

If you’re in the market for new cubicles, I challenge you to consider the benefits of looking into used products.  After all, if you save some of the design budget on cubicles, you might just be able to afford those ergonomic office chairs your back has been calling for!

Give it some thought. 

 

Used Office Cubicles