First impressions matter. Anyone who says otherwise hasn’t spent much time in the business world. That being said, first impressions aren’t something only individuals should worry about. Entire organizations leave first impressions as well. And just how the way you dress tells a story, the way your office looks tells one as well.
Having a professional-looking office can mean the difference between getting the contract and being among the names under the cut-off line. Here are a few design ideas that will make your office look more professional.
Professionalism can be best represented by employees’ productiveness. A business must invest heavily in making sure that their staff is working to their best potential which will, later on, reflect on their ROIs. Research has shown that job performance can drop by nearly 66 percent when employees are subject to disruptions. Experts suggest adding office partitions to minimize distractions such as noise to improve productivity and promote a sense of privacy. When it comes to privacy, partitions play an important role in the design of the office bathroom, of course. So make sure you think about getting adequate restroom partitions to make sure your employees feel comfortable at all times.
Find the Right Theme
Every room has a theme of its own, whether on purpose or by pure accident. The same applies to office space. The key difference here is that your office space theme sends a message to your potential clients.
If you’re not sure which way to lean, going with a minimalist theme with a hint of hardcore utilitarianism is always a good choice. Use simple colors that work well with the building and try to keep the clutter at a minimum. Let the office breathe and leave enough space for the circulation of both people and material.
Choose the Right Furniture
Office furniture isn’t like your home furniture. The type of furniture you choose for your workplace has to meet two important criteria – it needs to be functional and representative of your business. Office design specialists over at Vestra argue that the choice of furniture and how it’s implemented into an office space has a massive impact on potential clients. That makes perfect sense once you realize that your offices are your organization’s proverbial suit. When potential clients walk into your office, the interior design choices you’ve made will impact their first impressions.
Have a Reception if Possible
Having a receptionist is one of the easiest ways to have your office look more professional with one simple step. However, a receptionist’s desk has to have a purpose. Small offices may find it difficult to implement a receptionist into their organization.
As it turns out, just as having a receptionist can boost the appearance of professionalism, forcing a receptionist desk onto an organization that is obviously too small to need one can look extremely unprofessional.
Why does a receptionist make such a big difference? It’s all about having your clients feel welcomed when they come to your offices. A smiling face greeting you when you enter an office leaves a positive mark on everyone. It makes people more open to doing business with an organization.
Play with Lights
Lights are one of the most important design features. This applies to both exterior and interior design. All we see is light being reflected off different surfaces. Without it, no amount of luxurious office furniture matters. It’s all about how you play with light.
Most office spaces benefit from having an abundance of light, but not all light is created equal. Using cold temperature bulbs, such as old school ceiling neon rods, can create a sterile and often unwelcoming atmosphere. Going with a mix of warmer ceiling lights and diffused floor lamps are a much better option.
You’re trying to find a balance between clarity and coziness. You want your clients, and more importantly, your employees, to feel comfortable in this space. Another awesome way to have your offices look more professional is to hide the lighting.
Nowadays you can do so much with hidden LED strips, which are both super energy efficient and easy to work with. The sky is your limit.
Add a Touch of Green
Every office space needs some greenery, even the most industrial looking offices. A simple plant can completely change how office space flows. Best of all, you don’t have to go overboard with plants. There are plenty of species out there that are very easy to maintain, which can give you that touch of green.
When choosing an office plant, make sure that you go with something that won’t become a nuisance. Some organizations have experimented with having employees care about the plants. This strategy has brought a slight increase in productivity in some instances, although these findings are up for debate.
Finding the Balance
Although coming across as professional is key in most industries, don’t forget that your office space is populated by people – your people. When redecorating an office, your priority should be the creation of a comfortable working environment – a place where your employees will feel relaxed and motivated to work.
Finding the balance between appearances and creating a welcoming atmosphere for your employees is key.
