Did you know that a messy and chaotic workspace can actually reduce productivity by as much as 30%? The stress of dealing with the mess has a negative effect on employees, who are less able to focus on their work. Even more worrying is the fact that over 50% of employees consider their current work environment to be unproductive and boring. Working in an uninspiring office space can have a negative impact on your team’s performance, not only because they won’t feel inspired, but also because it could negatively affect their well-being. A stressful environment can lead to increased blood pressure and risk of heart attack or stroke. High amounts of stress can also lead to weight gain and other unhealthy habits. If you operate from an uninspiring office space, you may risk damaging employee morale, trust in management, and even their willingness to continue working for your company long-term. Luckily, there are steps you can take to transform your office into a more inspiring place for everyone involved. Whether you are looking to take on the refurbishment of your office yourself, or enlist the help of a professional office refurbishment company, this article will help you get to grips with the basics.
Assess Your Needs
Before you can create an inspiring office space, you need to take some time to assess your own needs. What does your role require from the space? What kind of furniture do you need to get the job done? When taking this step, it’s also important to take into account the needs of your employees. What do they require from the space in order to do their jobs effectively? What furniture, resources, and colour scheme would enable them to do their best work? You can ask employees for feedback directly, or you can observe their behaviour to see what they spend the most time on. You should also consider the overall needs of your company. What impression do you want the space to give your clients? What tone do you want to set? What message would you like your employees to walk away with?
Create a Functional Workspace Checklist
Once you’ve assessed your needs and determined what your ideal space would look like, it’s time to create a functional workspace checklist. This checklist will help you stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked with unnecessary details. Keep in mind that you can always adjust your checklist as you move forward with renovations. Once you’ve created your checklist, you can schedule renovations to fit your specific timeline. If you have a lot of work to do, you may want to schedule renovations for the end of the year. Otherwise, you can fit renovations into your company calendar whenever they’re most convenient for you and your employees.
Communicate With Employees and Meet with Staff
Once renovations are underway, it’s important to stay in constant communication with employees. Let them know what to expect and when they can expect it. Start off the communication with an outline of what changes employees can expect and what they won’t see. Let them know that you are prioritising improving their work environment and that you appreciate their patience while the renovations occur. When you meet with your staff, make sure to ask them directly how they would like the office to look. Let them know that you want their input, and that you welcome their ideas.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve completed the renovations, you and your employees will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour for a long time to come. The office should be a fun, creative space that employees enjoy working in each day. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can create an office that will boost productivity, inspire creativity, and even improve employee health and wellness. Now that you know what’s involved, you can get started with your office refurbishment. Keep these tips in mind, and you can put your best foot forward with a more inspiring and functional space for your employees.
