You would be forgiven for thinking that we, as office designers, would suggest that every office invests in lavish accessories, bright feature walls and luxurious office furniture to create an inspirational workplace. In reality, inspiration is relative, and how it is achieved depends very much on your line of work. For many, quirks like slides and football tables work well, but creating an exuberant workspace isn’t always practical; science labs and food preparation areas need exacting levels of hygiene and space to work. This could be the complete opposite again to a home worker writing a novel, who may be more concerned with visual stimulation and maximising a small space. The key toplanning youroffice refurbishment or fit-outis to understand how your workspace will work for you, your employees, and your clients or customers.
Once you have created the perfect office for your business, you can reap the rewards of your investment.
Improved Efficiency and more creativity
Inspirational offices are not just for IT based jobs and marketing giants; creating pride in the workplace, in any industry, reinforces pride in the task being undertaken within it. When people are taking care of their surroundings, the quality of their work should see an upturn, meaning less rework and more efficiency. If you work in a creative industry, thought-provoking design and features can aid creativity and reduce down-time.
Reduced Stress Levels
With stress absences so high in the UK, an investment in your office interior can also be an investment in attendance. Whilst we can’t all spend the kind of money that Google does, with Doctors on hand and private masseuses, a little goes a long way. Well-designed break out spaces with hot drink making facilities and a relaxing environment in which to spend breaks and lunches won’t break the bank, but could improve your team’s wellbeing. Don’t forget to create private space too, even if your office is open-plan – some employees may prefer to receive feedback away from prying ears and potentially stress-inducing embarrassment.
Increased Staff Retention
Staff retention is also a great bonus feature of a well-designed office, for similar reasons to the working environment reducing absences. The average employee spends 40+ hours a week at work and if you can create a space that they’re happy to be in, you’re also making it harder for your competitors to attract your most valuable asset.
Increased Customer Perception
Another great benefit of creating the right environment to represent your business is the marketing effect this will have on visiting clients or customers; your inspirational office can do half of the talking for you. If you’re studious and precise in your work, create that environment within your workspace. If you’re fun and daring, make it impossible to ignore within your offices. Whatever your business’ USP, make your workspace shout it from the rooftops!
With such compelling benefits, investing in an inspirational workplace is becoming an essential part of business.
If you’re not sure how you can make your office space work for you and your budget, why not get in touch with the office designers at Bluespace Ltd.
