Making your office work productively is the holy grail of business owners and managers. A personal and collaborative office culture fosters creativity and innovation. While this environment should be built through communication and organisation structure, the physical environment of an office can radically influence how workers feel and perform. It is key to build a sense of ownership within a space, and the space itself is pivotal in this process. There are a variety of levels of personalisation here, from the corporate to the private.
Colour
Colour theory is well established in office decorative schemes. From the creativity inspired by shades of green to the vibrancy and energy of warm colours like orange and yellow, office walls can really make a difference to your workers. The process requires more though than simply translating colour theory to the walls of your office. How do your chosen colours tie in with your organisation’s branding? In order to build a sense of corporate unity and ownership, the identity of the organisation itself should be clearly represented within a decorative scheme.
Desk Space
A workstation should be an employee’s personal zone. This is the place where photographs, mementoes and… well… cake (we tell it like it is) should sit comfortably. It’s important not to go overboard – the space still needs to be practical to work in after all. Consider each workstation as its own zone when designing an office scheme. Any areas that may suffer a lack of natural light, for example, should be compensated with some other source of light.
Furniture
Workstations should not only have sufficient storage for the demands of an employee’s workload, but also for the personal effects that make the space comfortable and personal. The best way to achieve this is through bespoke desk furniture. This way you can ensure that every inch of floor space is well utilised, and the opportunity to display those photos and memories can be incorporated.
Social Markers
The decoration of an office desk with mementoes of family or friends aids life balance. A truly balanced environment needs more, though. The representation of professional culture and wellbeing in a working environment will achieve further dimensions of balance. A great way to accomplish this is to dedicate wall space to photographs of team building activities and away days, or perhaps professional certificates. This can help to bring an aspect of professional personalisation to the office.
Feedback
Listen to your workforce. Before embarking on a decoration scheme, consult staff and gather ideas. Not every comment needs to be pursued, but you may be surprised at the great ideas that are offered. Seek feedback on any issues that staff may have encountered by your current layout or office scheme. A redecoration is an ideal time to identify and remedy these things, and in addition to make the decoration process something that workers can really feel positive about.
Greenery
Maximise plant life around your office. This not only improves the air quality of the space, but it helps to create an atmosphere of serenity and decrease stress. Office greenery carries practical benefits too. Plants in open plan office spaces alter and soften natural acoustics to increase privacy and decrease distraction. They also look great, so there really is no downside!
The personal touch in an office means more than individuals making their unique mark. It is about the organisation representing its values and forging links with the individuals who make up the workforce. It is about the comfort and creativity that can be instilled through colour, layout and furniture. Balance these things, and your office becomes a place where both business and creativity can thrive.
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