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Renovating your office space can both be exciting and stressful. In order to avoid having too much stress and keep everything organized, you should have a detailed strategy in place. Before you even start renovating, you should have a list of things to do, a list of materials needed, and all the ideas and people around you to help you realize the goal. Here is a short guide on how you can manage an office renovation with success. 

Create the Right Team

It is a fact that you cannot do this alone, and that is why you should hire project specialists and contractors. Also, look for individuals and companies that have a good reputation and consult with them. This way, you will manage to stay on top of building codes and regulations and get the right assessment of things that need to be done, materials to be purchased, and what you are allowed to change and what you’re not. 

Additionally, you should have your own team with you that will help you. You can appoint internal members of your staff to be involved in the project. Make sure to appoint people with the right skills for this and let them communicate with the contractor and be present for any updates regarding renovation, so the rest of the teams can work without distractions. 

Set a Budget

Of course, you’re going to need a budget for this remodel. However, include at least a 5% contingency cost line in the budget in case you encounter any unforeseen costs. Also, you don’t have to remodel everything at once. It is perfectly okay and maybe even less messy and expensive if you do it in phases. You can appoint a flexible timeframe for the remodel and you may even save some money in the long run. 

Also, make sure that the budget you set is realistic. You don’t have to spend a fortune especially if you don’t have it. If that’s the case, you should focus only on the things that are urgent to fix, remove, replace and remodel, and you can deal with the details later. 

Sustainability and Health

When planning to remodel, you should have sustainability and the health of your employees in mind, too. Think about keeping a holistic approach to this, and encourage physical, mental, and emotional health. For sustainability, you can look into natural materials, less plastic, more plants in the office, and so on. For example, you can consider replacing flooring if it’s old and not sustainable. You can easily find hardwood floor installation in Greensboro, NC, for example, and provide your office with some sustainable and durable materials. 

Also, you can encourage physical health through adjustable sit-to-stand desks, water bottle refill stations, ergonomic equipment, etc. Additionally, you can provide nice and soothing scents, designate a zen area in the office where people can relax, and overall provide a relaxing and stress-free environment.

Limit Distractions

Remodeling projects take time and can be noisy. That is why you should focus on limiting distractions to the rest of your employees. You can appoint them to work from home or another building while you’re remodeling. Also, you can set up additional temporary networks to keep things running smoothly. 

Make sure to be intentional when communicating timelines, and make sure to minimize any interruptions for your teams. Your business still has to continue running while you’re remodeling, so limiting distractions and stress is a must for your employees. 

Contain the Mess

Sounds easier than it is, but you have to do your best to contain all the dust and mess that will occur. Especially if you still have employees in other rooms working. To limit the dust from going everywhere, you should include barriers like heavy plastic sheeting or temporary walls. As for the rest of the mess, make sure to organize the proper disposal of waste and instruct the contractors on how to handle it. Lastly, don’t forget to hire someone to thoroughly clean up after

Any kind of remodel can be stressful and messy. That is why you have to make a plan on how you will manage and handle your office remodeling. You have to set a realistic budget, even pick a proper date to do it, and make sure your business can still run smoothly. No distractions or messes should disturb your employees, so make sure to have everything covered and allow people to simply work from home, if possible. And if you get all of that organized, there is no doubt that your office renovation will be successful and stress-free.

The office environment has a powerful effect on employee productivity and creativity. It enhances company culture, affects how customers and clients perceive the business, and can be a great recruiting tool. Dated office space can make employees feel uninspired, unmotivated, and unproductive. It takes a few simple updates to freshen up outdated office space and make it feel new again.

If you’re like most business owners, you’re always looking for ways to improve your office space. However, finding the best place to start may be difficult at times. Maybe your office is starting to feel a little outdated, or it doesn’t have that ‘fresh’ feeling anymore. It is normal – every office space starts to show its age over time and it can just increase the general things that make employees unhappy. But there’s no need to fret! With a few simple updates, you can freshen up your office space and make it feel new again.

Add a fresh coat of paint

Whether you go for a bright, bold color or something more subdued, a fresh coat of paint is always good to refresh your space. It’s an easy and relatively inexpensive way to make a significant impact. Offices are typically pretty neutral spaces, so adding a pop of color can liven things up. Not to mention, it can help boost employee morale and creativity. It can also be an excellent way to freshen up your branding if you’re looking to make a change.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/business-people-sitting-on-the-office-table-while-working-8276132/

Clean windows and mirrors

Another simple way to make your office feel new again is to clean the windows and mirrors. It will let in more natural light and make your office look brighter. It can also make your office feel more spacious. Many companies provide commercial cleaning services that can help you with this. They have the right equipment and the experience to get your windows and mirrors to look sparkling clean. Once you’ve cleaned the windows and mirrors, you’ll be amazed at how brighter your office looks.

Invest in new furniture

One of the most rapid and straightforward ways to make your office feel new again is investing in new furniture. If your office chairs are starting to show their age or your desks are looking old, it might be time to replace them. New furniture will make your office look nicer, but it can also be more comfortable and functional for your employees. It can be a little bit of an investment, but it’s worth it in the long run.

Bring in some plants

Another great way to freshen up your office space is to bring in some plants. Plants not only add a touch of nature to your office, but they can also help improve air quality. They can help boost employee morale and productivity. If you don’t know where to start, succulents are always a good option. They’re easy to take care of, and they look great. They can also make a great addition to your office decor.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-pink-shirt-sitting-on-brown-wooden-armchair-4098151/

Add some artwork or photographs

Another simple way to make your office feel new again is to add some artwork or photographs. It is a great way to personalize your space and feel more at home. It can also be an excellent way to add color and personality to your office. If you’re unsure where to start, try looking for local artists or photographers whose work you like. You can also find artwork online or at art fairs.

Reorganize your space

If your workplace is beginning to feel crowded, it’s time to clean up and reorganize. It is a great way to declutter your space and make it more functional. It can also help you get rid of old furniture or decor that you don’t use anymore. Cluttered areas can be very distracting and can make it difficult to focus. It impacts employee productivity and affects the overall vibe of the office.

Get rid of old equipment

If you have old equipment taking up space in your office, it might be time to remove it. It can include old computers, printers, or fax machines. It will free up some much-needed space, but it will also make your office look more modern. You can donate old equipment to charity or recycle it.

Add lighting

Adding lighting to your workplace is a wonderful method to brighten it and make it feel more inviting. It can also help improve employee productivity. Natural lighting is ideal, but you may consider utilizing light fixtures or lamps if you don’t have a lot of it. Lighting can make a substantial difference in the feel of your office. It will give your employees the perfect workplace environment and make your office look more professional.

Sort wires and cables

Wires and cords can also be a huge eyesore. Not only do they look messy, but they can also be dangerous. If you have wires and cords running all over your office, it’s time to get them sorted. You can do this by labeling them, using zip ties or velcro to keep them together, or getting rid of them altogether. You can recycle the cords and wires if you have old equipment that you’re no longer using. It will declutter your space and make it look neater. You can update the electric sockets and install new ones to give your office a more polished look.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/round-black-wooden-table-with-4-chairs-245240/

Redecorate your space

One of the most effortless ways to make your office feel new again is to redecorate. It doesn’t mean you have to buy new furniture or paintings. Sometimes, all you need is a new wallpaper or some new curtains. If you’re unsure what you want, try looking online or in magazines for inspiration. You may also employ the services of an interior designer to assist you in designing your new workplace. Whatever you select, make sure it reflects your company’s brand and culture.

Conclusion

So, whether your office space is just feeling a little stale or you’re in the market for a full-blown overhaul, we hope these tips have given you some good ideas to freshen things up. A well-designed office can help inspire and motivate employees while also impressing clients and customers—not to mention boosting morale. Are you ready to get started?

By now, many of us have switched to remote work for the better. A survey conducted by Owl labs revealed that 59 percent of the working force would rather opt for an employer who supports work from home than on-site operation. Upwork estimates that 36.2 million Americans will switch to complete remote work by 2025, and freelance writers and digital nomads are just the pioneers.

With such a great inclination towards WFH, people are developing choices and preferences for their remote work environment. We’re at a point now where working from no more means working from bed. Instead, people are opting to create proper personalized and customized workspaces at home to facilitate themselves.

Here are some of the trending choices and preferences for home offices in 2022:

Functional, Space-Saving Furniture

Since home offices do not have massive covered spaces or multiple rooms, they ought to have lots of functionality within the limited space. And for that, we need compact but functional furniture.

Functional furniture refers to furniture that lets you do more with little space. For example, consider an L-shaped desk. It saves loads of space and helps you make the most out of the corner of your home office. The desk’s top is such that it combines the covered area of two desks at once without occupying much of your room space. So, you’ve plenty of space to place multiple monitors, printers, papers, stationery goods, etcetera atop this desk.

Ergonomic Office Furniture

Along with functional and practical home office furniture, ergonomic office chairs and tables are also becoming popular. Since the users will be spending their day and night at the same spot with minimal movement here and there, they ought to have a work environment that doesn’t damage their physical health.

For example, office chairs with lumbar support are becoming increasingly popular. Similarly, sit-and-stand desks that allow the user to both sit and stand (as desired) are also becoming popular.

Ergonomic keyboards and mouse pads are also some examples of trending ergonomic home office tools. Adding these to your workspace brings a balance between your health and work, and it amplifies your productivity levels.

Balanced & Soothing Environment

Since working all by yourself in a closed environment can build up stress, people are opting for soothing colors for their work environment at home. Colors like white, dusty pink, earthy brown, soft green, etcetera can have a calming effect.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should go for a monotonous workspace. It will become too boring! Choose complementing colors. For example, you can opt for a white office chair with an earthy brown desk.

Eco-friendly Approach

The last two years have taught us a lot about our ignorance towards ourselves and the planet. So, this year, most people are choosing to go with eco-friendly home office furniture.

Eco-friendly furniture options include furniture crafted from materials that last long (preferably natural materials like wood and glass). You won’t be purchasing over and over again. Hence, contributing less to the overall carbon effect on the planet. Similarly, instead of using fancy lights that consume loads of energy, you can opt for natural light.

Set up your home office near a large window that brings lots of light. It will keep you refreshed too.

A Comfy Side Place

Remote work has its benefits, but it also has its downsides. When working from home, you are completely deprived of your social support. At times, you may miss the random conversations you used to have with your fellow employees at the coffee machine. You may miss the mini-break it used to give to your nerves.

So, to tackle that, there’s another ingenious trend we’re witnessing in 2022: the comfy side place! A lot of people are opting to buy a separate super comfortable chair or sofa for their work desk or workplace at home. They choose to place it at a distance from their actual office chair.

The idea is to switch to that seat when the circumstances become too stressful, or you’re too tired and need a break. Instead of calling it a day, quitting work, and going to bed, you can take a mini-break with this comfy side place. In this way, your focus would stay aligned as you return to work.

Final Thoughts

We hope this quick insight into home office trends 2022 helps you plan a trendy and comfy workspace for yourself. Remember, if something’s trending, it can help you. But it need not dictate you. Pour in your creativity and be yourself!

Around the world, a monumental amount of coffee is consumed. People love it not only for its taste but for the boost of energy and alertness that it can provide. Coffee is a morning, afternoon and even evening routine for a huge population globally. One of the most popular places to consume it is at the office during a busy workday.

While some offices might simply have a coffee machine on a counter, you can do better than that. Adding a coffee corner, a dedicated space for making and enjoying coffee can be a great way to excite your team and boost morale. But how can you ensure you do it the right way?

With that in mind, this blog post is going to go over a few great coffee corner ideas for the office that you should consider implementing.

Provide Multiple Different Options

As you know, almost everyone loves a great cup of coffee. However, not everyone likes the same type of coffee. As a result, it is a good idea to provide different types of coffee that people can make. Have some stronger dark roasts, and some more light options, too. Also, providing different flavors, different types of additives (sugar, milk, creamer) can also go a long way.

If you only provide one, a portion of your workforce will simply feel left out and won’t make much use of the coffee corner. Don’t forget to provide options like decaf and teas, as not everyone likes coffee with caffeine in it.

Keep Everything Organized

The organization is another critical thing to keep in mind when designing your coffee corner. With potentially dozens of people using your coffee corner, it can get messy incredibly quickly. Ensure everything has a place it should go, and make sure everyone knows where that place is.

Ensure to post instructions for how to use any equipment, and consider labeling certain cabinets or shelves where certain things should go.

Don’t Skimp on Storage

Another good idea is to ensure storage is an important part of the design of the coffee corner. You need a place to store the machines, the pods or bags of coffee, potentially a few mugs, as well as sugars/sweeteners and other common things people use in their coffee. There are many options for storage such as cabinets, drawers or even something like a bookcase or shelving system.

If you don’t provide enough places for things to be put away, the entire area can become a mess, things can get misplaced and different items can get mixed up. Also, consider utilizing storage solutions that look good, to ensure the aesthetic of the corner isn’t hurt by unfortunate storage choices or designs.

Make it a Calming and Relaxing Space

Among the best ideas for making sure your coffee corner is a hit is by making it a calming and relaxing place. Workplace stress is a major problem at offices all over the world, and you should be doing all you can to reduce it. Not only does stress impact employee happiness and morale, but it can also reduce how productive they are.

Having a calming and relaxing space for employees to enjoy their breaks can be great for helping them recharge their batteries at work so they can give you their best effort. Find ways to ensure the coffee corner space is relaxing, such as adding softer lighting and some comfortable furniture nearby.

In conclusion, these ideas are sure to make your coffee corner a place that people love to spend time at and enjoy.

With the rise of the Internet, working from home has become a thing quite common. The benefits of working from a home office are huge: you are basically your own boss, you are the one who decides how you arrange your office and you create your own desired working atmosphere. The downsides to this type of work are pretty much the same, only planning and arranging-related. In order to come up with a proper home office you should take this article into consideration.

Choose a Room for Your Home Office

If having a spare room, fit to suit your office needs is basically where your idea of working at home came from, well, you can move on to the next paragraph. This, however, is seldom the case – usually, people struggle with finding some space to get their work done.

Although working from the desk you generally use your computer for leisure might seem like a good idea, try to avoid this – staying at the same room for both your work and free time can have a negative psychological impact on you, which is why you’ll want to keep the two separate. If you’re looking for a space in your home to creating your working zone, you should convert a bedroom into an office and make this your little corner.

Depending on your profession, home office requirements can vary; despite this, in most cases, an unused attic or laundry room can do the trick – with a bit of rearranging and planning, you can have your home office in no-time. Keep in mind, though, that keeping it uncluttered goes without saying.

Pro tip: you don’t want to store all your work-related paraphernalia on your work desk – instead, think corner shelves, hanging shelves, or storing the items below your table, without compromising your leg room.

Home Office Tips

In order to properly organize your office at home, take these tips under consideration:

Lighting – Nothing is detrimental for your productivity more than providing proper lighting – go with weak lights and your work will turn depressive and your eyesight compromised; go with lighting to strong and your home office will turn bleak and tedious. The most natural way to provide proper light for your work (aside from large enough windows for your home office) is getting quality LED lights.

Air – There is more to air than mere temperature. Although getting a quality air conditioning system is a key factor in remaining comfortable inside your home office, make sure you’ve gotten a proper air purifier. The smells within a small room shouldn’t be too strong and should be adjustable in accordance with the season.

Chair – A great chair will go a long way in creating a productive office space. Beside the fact that an uncomfortable chair might cause you back pain further down the line, it will definitely dwindle your productivity. A quality, comfy chair is definitely an investment to go for.

Wall color – If the “office baige” is your thing, by all means, go for it. This, however, probably isn’t the case, so opt for productive colors, such as orange, red, blue, lime green, etc,

Even though you get the benefit of taking matters in your own hands in your home office, sometimes you’re better off following advice. The tips we’ve outlined will benefit your productivity and make your work time at home more enjoyable and efficient.

Your work environment can greatly affect your overall motivation, productivity and creativity, so you need to choose a design that will keep you at the top of your game during the work hours. Whether you’re designing a home office, minute cubicle or a commercial office space, you should aim for a comfortable and stylish design that will make your office one of your favourite places.

Inspire with a view

View

Whether you’re decorating an office space for yourself or for your employees, you need to create an environment that will inspire great ideas and boost office efficiency. It’s needless to say that no one can draw inspiration from looking at their computers all the time. Thus, you should give your office space an inspiring view that will energise and stimulate both you and your employees. Of course, if you’re decorating your home office, arranging the furniture to face the window overlooking a lovely garden will be much more feasible. Decorating a commercial office or a cubicle is restrictive to some extent, so you need to think of some other ideas. For example, creating a living wall in an open, co-working space can provide all of the employees with a lovely, nature-inspired view. In a cubicle, you can surround yourself with your favourite artwork that can provide you with visual stimulation during your work hours.

Energise with colour

Colour

Dull, all-grey design can be quite de-motivating, so you should bring in a pop of colour to your workplace. In your home office, you can repaint a single wall in a vibrant hue, while in a commercial space, you can introduce colourful details every now and then to break the monotony. The key to using colour in the office successfully lies in implementing energising hues, such as red, yellow and orange, or soothing shades of blue and green that promote concentration and relaxation. Regardless of the type of office you work in, you can always introduce a dose of colourfulness that will stimulate your mind. However, make sure to use colours in moderation because using too much of them can be quite distracting.

Cosy up your home office

Cosy
Since working from home provides you with numerous opportunities to experiment with the design, you can create your own corner where you’ll truly enjoy working. Apart from the aforementioned ideas, you need to create an atmosphere of cosiness in your stylish home office so that you feel comfortable when working long hours. From cosy area rugs that will keep your feet warm and comfy cushions to support your back to an adjustable desk that will enable you to switch positions, implementing these simple ideas will boost your efficiency significantly.

Introduce boundaries to an open-concept office

Open Concept

While a great number of employees like the airiness of an open-concept office, such a design can be quite distracting at times. However, you can introduce certain boundaries to this type of office space while still preserving its openness. For example, you can group different teams separately in semi-enclosed areas by using stylish privacy screens. You will provide each team with enough privacy yet enable them to easily communicate with each other. Another possible solution is introducing echo-reducing panels that will reduce the noise pollution in the office. In addition, if you design a break room for socialising, employees will be less likely to spend time chatting at their desks.

Style up your cubicle

Cubicle

If the very thought of your boring cubicle makes you want to skip work, you should create a homier, more stylish look that will give it a unique, personalised appeal. Since cubicles are quite limited in space, you should eliminate clutter and keep your workplace organised. You can introduce a lovely shelf for your decorative details and personal items. As mentioned, the artwork is another important component that will keep you inspired throughout the day, so bring your favourite pieces and find a great place to display them.

By choosing design elements that inspire creativity, comfort and inspiration, you’ll be able to create an office that you won’t want to leave.