The days of boring, cookie-cutter office spaces are gone — or, at least, they can be. When you and your coworkers spend so many waking hours in the same area, it's worth time and effort to make it look appealing.
Why It's Worth Improving Your Office Space
Is it necessary to have an aesthetically pleasing office? Some might say that you can get as much done in a dull workspace as you can in a fancy room. However, there's no doubt an attractive office can be motivating. It can also be appealing to job applicants. If you're trying to attract new talent, sprucing up your workspace can play a role.
Removing the Clutter Clears the Mind
One inexpensive and highly effective way of improving your office is getting rid of clutter. Cleaning up your space not only enhances the way it looks but also helps you and your coworkers clear your minds. Imagine yourself trying to focus on an important project, only to have your eyes wander over to a pile of boxes in the corner of the room. Before long, you can find yourself wondering why the boxes have been there so long. As you look around the room, you notice more items out of place.
Clutter can be distracting. A tidy office with clean, open spaces can evoke a feeling of order and efficiency that carries over into your work. The rule applies to your office's exterior, too. If you have overgrown landscaping or dead trees creating visual clutter, consider hiring Utah tree removal to improve your building's curb appeal.
The Role of Color
Color can play a role in your mood and emotions. Bright colors such as sunny yellow, sunset orange and teal blue can be invigorating and energizing. Soft gray, powdery blue and light green invoke a sense of calm. Depending on the vibe you want to create in your workspace, you can choose a color palette to help set the stage for your workday.
The Soothing Presence of Plants
In an open-office environment, workers may feel uneasy with a lack of privacy. Plants can create visual dividers that break up space and create separate work areas. They also, quite literally, breathe life into an office as they trade their oxygen for your carbon dioxide. Plants can create a soothing atmosphere and bring green space right to your desk. If you need to change the room's layout, potted plants are easy to move where you need them.
Shed Light on the Subject
Lighting can play a vital role in the functionality of an office. Too-bright lighting can be irritating and even headache-inducing, while a dim room can make it hard to see (and easy to nap). Like color schemes, lighting needs can vary according to your industry and purpose. If you can, let employees have control of the lighting at their workstations or in their offices. One person's soothing, dim lighting may be another person's reason to sleep on the job.
Natural lighting is almost always a good choice in the office. Exposure to daylight keeps your circadian rhythm on track, making you productive during work hours. If you have natural light in the office, you may need to find the best angle for your computer to avoid screen glare. Moving the screen perpendicular to the window helps prevent glare.
The Mystery Under the Carpet
While carpet was once all the rage in the office atmosphere, many employers are choosing the contemporary look and easy care of a hardwood, polished concrete or tile floor. If you work in an older building, you might have a beautiful floor under your carpet just waiting to be discovered.
You don't have to spend a ton of money to make your office look its best. Talk to your coworkers and see what they would change to make your workspace a great place to be — until it's time to go home.