Designing a professional yet comfortable business office is a lot different from decorating your own home. There are a number of different elements that you need to consider, as well as employees, customers, clients, and other business people you need to cater to and impress. With the right office design, you can improve recruitment and retention, boost productivity, and maximize collaboration, but the wrong one will do the exact opposite. Whether you’re decorating an entirely new office or breathing life into an old one, here are five design tips you should know.

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  1. Make A Great First Impression

When you spend each of your working days in your office, it gets easy to forget how others may view this same space. However, first impressions are vital, so you should try to put yourself in the shoes of those visiting for the first time and reflect on the image your office portrays. The outside entrance should be clean and inviting, the kitchen and bathrooms should be easily accessible, and everywhere from offices to bathroom partitions should be neat and in excellent conditions.

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  1. Consider Your Colour Scheme Carefully

The colour scheme in your office should be a carefully considered and deliberate decision – You don’t want to just accept the whatever colours were there when you moved in. Most offices tend to stick to a fairly neutral colour scheme, but, as long as it works for your company, you shouldn’t be afraid to go bold now and then. This can help to brighten up the space and bring your office to life, making you appear young and fun. Just make sure this doesn’t negatively impact your work.

  1. Opt For Functional Over Fashion

Throughout the decorating process, you need to remember that your office is still a working environment, and, as such, functionality should always trump fashion. That being said, there are many ways to achieve both of these things. An axminster carpet, for example, looks great but is also wear-resistant, making it perfect for a commercial environment. You could ask for suggestions from your employees, to find out which trends work for them and which don’t.

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  1. Embrace The Power Of Plants

Plants and fresh flowers are a great addition to any office. The reason for this is that they’ve been shown time and time again to decrease levels of stress, anxiety, and fatigue and boost mood and productivity. This, of course, would massively benefit you and your employees, but would also leave a good impression on any visitors. Just make sure you keep your greenery watered, as dying plants have the opposite effect.

  1. Never Sacrifice Safety For Aesthetic

As a business owner, the safety of your employees is responsibility. Because of this, it’s crucial that neither the decorating process nor your decor sacrifices their wellbeing. While your office is being decorated, you need to ensure that all fire exits are kept clear and that there’s nothing for employees to trip over. You should also make sure you have adequate ventilation, smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers, even if they clash with your designs. Ergonomic furniture is also a must.

With these tips, you should be able to design the attractive and functional office your small business deserves.

* This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links

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