It might not be the most important part of running your business, but furnishing your company’s office does have a significant impact on morale, productivity, and company culture. If this is the first time you’re setting up an office, there are some key points you’ll want to keep in mind.
The Importance of Furnishing a Corporate Office
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If your physical office space is a canvas, furniture and decor are the paint. The right brushstrokes can create a look and feel that you and your employees enjoy daily. But it goes much deeper than this. Office furniture has an impact on a variety of aspects of your business, including:
1. Office vibe.
For better or worse, your office furniture impacts your vibe. While the wrong furniture can leave your space feeling drab and tired, the right furniture creates a spacious and tasteful look that puts people in a positive frame of mind.
2. Collaboration.
Believe it or not, your furniture selection and placement have a direct impact on employee collaboration. It allows you to control where employees spend time, putting the right people/departments in close proximity with one another.
Health and wellness.
Having ergonomically friendly furniture reduces fatigue, joint pain, and posture-related issues that lead to chronic discomfort in your employees. It promotes better health and wellness, which leads to greater productivity.
When you layer all of these elements together, it becomes clear why an intentional approach to furnishing your office is so important. Take your time and make smart decisions.
Smart Tips for Furnishing Your Office
Furnishing an office should be more than a last-second afterthought before move-in day. It’s something that directly impacts the physical and emotional well-being of your team. Take it seriously and you’ll reap the rewards of a job well done. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Have a Plan
Begin with the big picture in mind. Make sure you know what type of vibe you’re trying to create, what your objectives are, and any other critical elements that matter in the furniture selection and design process.
For some businesses, the goal is 100 percent functional. If this is the case, you’re looking for furniture that serves a specific purpose and maximizes productivity by putting people in the best physical and mental frame of mind possible. For other businesses, the look and feel matters. A trendy office place can spark creativity and even attract certain employees to the company.
There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with either approach, but it’s smart to know what you’re looking for ahead of time. This will help the process go much more smoothly.
2. Know Where to Buy
Where you buy your office furniture matters. While you always have the option of going to the cheap “big box” store down the street, you should be wary of making such a massive investment with a company that likely won’t stand by their products or offer much in the way of support. A smarter approach would be to sync up with a company that you know is going to provide the ongoing support you need.
BTOD.com is a great example. As their BBB rating and reviews show, they’re the type of company that stands by their products and provides the support needed. Not only do they provide excellent products – including office chairs, desks, etc. – but they specialize in educating businesses on how to choose and implement the right solutions.
3. Hire an Office Designer
Whether it’s 1,000 square feet or 100,000, there’s value in hiring an office designer to come in and give you an actionable design plan. Office interior designers are well versed in the art of achieving the optimum balance between style and function. They can help you achieve a look that’s stylish yet practical.
With that being said, it’s best if you stick to one or two decision makers. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is asking your entire team for their opinion on which desk chair to choose or what color to paint the walls. Everyone has different ideas, and it’s impossible to keep everyone happy. Too many cooks in the kitchen will prove to be problematic. Keep the process streamlined by having specific decision makers in charge.
Adding it All Up
Every office will have a different look and feel. But if you follow the tips highlighted above, you’ll like the result. Your employees will feel better connected, health will improve, and productivity will undergo a dramatic improvement. Take your time and do it right the first time.