When designing a new office, or perhaps renovating an old space, it’s important to think about many different factors. There is a very real and direct link between the way you set up an office space and the productivity of it. A study by Serraview states that 37% of candidates looking for a job are more likely to accept a lower salary if the company has an appealing workplace and culture.
This basically means if you want to attract new talent and keep hold of your quality employees, you need to think about your office design!
The next thing to consider is what type of decor is best. Do you go for something old fashioned and always on trend, or do you go for something modern and super-shiny? Basically, we’re talking about the retro vs. modern office design argument. Do you go for designer office desk choices or do you opt for something more mainstream. It really depends upon your space and the employees you have working for you.
Sleek means modern, it means shiny, it means designer and luxury. Of course, sleek is probably going to cost you slightly more, and in that case, is it a cost you can justify? Going for designer office cupboards and other luxury options isn’t about being fancy and trying to look the part, it’s about creating an environment which people are impressed by once they walk into your space. This is the ideal way to attract new customers and clients - first impressions are vital. On the other side of the coin, we have the old morale versus environment argument; a workforce which has a high level of morale is always going to be more productive, and productive means profits. In that case, perhaps sleek actually more than pays for itself!
Check out this interesting infographic by Brighter Business which talks about the main aspects of a productive office from a psychological point of view.
Source: www.brighterbusiness.co.uk/the-psychology-behind-good-office-design/
As you can see, employees need more than just somewhere to work, they need a space which is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated, somewhere without too much noise, and the whole design needs to ensure that required items are close by, with attractive views and natural elements to boost mood. The single best way to start with any type of office design is to request a design visit and take advice from the professionals. That way you can be sure that you’re not spending large amounts of cash on furniture which doesn’t give you the desired outcome.
It’s not just commercial offices which can benefit from sleek, luxury furniture choices, such as a shiny white executive office desk, but home offices too. Setting up a home office for productivity is the fast track way to ensuring that your business doesn’t impact on your home life to a detrimental degree. All office furniture suppliers will tell you that home offices need to be slightly differently designed to commercial choices, and it’s about finding furniture which looks sleek and does the job, without standing out as too ‘office-like’. Getting this blend right can take some practice.
If you class sleek to be too expensive, perhaps you need to think about what the overall design of your office needs to be.
Does sleek really fit in with your office vibe? It depends on the products and services you provide. If you’re a tech company or a fashion house then sleek and luxury is the way forward. If you’re a company dealing with antiques, in this case perhaps a more retro look would fit your office design better. Every business is different, and sleek furniture isn’t the right answer for all. Despite that, there is a furniture solution for all!
If you’re unsure if you can afford brand new, luxurious furniture choices, there are equally as many cheap office furniture options out there, which all look perfectly stylish too. It’s about working within your budget and creating the ideal space for your employees to work in, and to create the ideal impression for visitors.