When you own a business and have an office, you need to make that office as comforting and as interesting as possible. You want it to be comforting so that your employees feel at home while they’re at work.
If they’re comfortable, they’ll be more productive. You also want it to be interesting so that it WOWs your clients and customers when they step foot into your space.
Decorating an office takes some effort on your part, so it’s very important that you make smart decisions. The following are a few tips to help you decorate your office in order to maximize production and impress your guests.
Choose comfortable furniture.
As mentioned above, comfortable furniture is extremely important, especially if you or your employees will sit most of the day. Having the right office furniture will improve productivity too. If your employees are comfortable, they’ll be able to focus on the task at hand instead of constantly moving around in order to make their butt, back, or body feels better.
You should also make sure that chairs in a waiting room or waiting area are also comfortable. The last thing you want to do is upset a client or customer by forcing them to feel uncomfortable in your space. Remember that this will be the first impression they have of your company and if it’s bad, they likely won’t be return visitors.
Create an impressive waiting area.
While you already know to add comfortable seating to your waiting area, it’s also a good idea to add items to this area that will impress your current and potential clients and customers. For example, offer complimentary snacks and/or beverages for them to have while they wait.
Provide a TV, tablet, or even magazines for them to enjoy too. If you serve clients with kids, create a kid’s play area. And if you want to be really creative, put an old pinball machine in there and let them play while they wait. When your guests are impressed, they’ll be more open about your company.
Make your office fun.
The workforce is changing. Millennials and Gen Z are taking over industries, and they don’t want the same work environment as their Baby Boomer predecessors. This is why it’s important that you make your office fun.
Choose an open concept instead of putting everyone in a boring gray cubicle. Paint your walls a bright color instead of leaving them white. Invest in some fun canvas art to spice up your walls instead of leaving them plain.
Put a kitchen with snacks and drinks available to your employees to nourish and refuel during the day. You can even invest in a ping pong table or video game system to allow your employees to take a break and unwind every now and then. By creating an office space that fits the needs of your employees, you’ll make them more productive and more willing to stay with you for long periods of time.
Brand it.
Most people don’t realize that their office is an extension of their brand, but it is, so it’s very important that you add branding elements throughout your office. For example, paint your walls (or an accent wall) one of your company’s colors, or opt to have your company logo made into a sign that you hang when you walk in the door.
You should also ensure that your branding is found throughout your office, whether through area rugs, signage, or even stickers. Not only will this reinforce your company to those who visit your office, but it will also serve as a reminder to your employees.
If they constantly see your logo and your mission around the office, it will remind them of their responsibility and will ensure they project this brand to clients and customers they work with on a daily basis.
Create quiet space.
If you are using an open concept and creating a fun environment for your employees, you will motivate them to work harder. However, sometimes your employees may need an area that’s completely quiet, whether to have a phone conference with a client or to conduct some thorough research.
Make sure that you do have some quiet areas in your office that your employees can use regularly. Maybe it’s a conference room, or maybe it’s just a small desk tucked away in a far corner. The more options you give your employees, the better they’ll be able to do their job.
