The process of creating the perfect office and choosing suitable furniture at work to go in it should not be rushed. After all, many studies have suggested that comfortable and attractive working spaces can boost employee morale and productivity.
One woman who is well aware of the importance of this issue is Mauria Finley, the founder and chief executive officer of Citrus Lane, a subscription e-commerce service. Writing in the Upstart Business Journal, she noted that many budding business people initially fail to recognise the significance of quality office design.
She remarked: “For many entrepreneurs, especially those bootstrapping their businesses, the idea of spending money to decorate the office seems anathema. Why spend capital making the workspace look ‘nice’ when you could put that money toward hiring staff members or business development?”
However, Ms Finley went on to state that she can “attest from experience” that neglecting this issue is a mistake. Offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs, she added: “As a founder, maybe you only need an internet connection and a laptop to build your business, but your employees thrive in an inspiring space.”
According to the expert, it is important for companies to create spaces that reflect their core values and that can help them attract the most talented personnel, as well as motivate their existing workers.
Ms Finley revealed that, after being encouraged by one of her board members, she invested in an office revamp. Commenting on the results of her design efforts, she said: “I noticed a change in the office vibe right away. Employees started hanging out in the ‘living room’ area to brainstorm and collaborate, and our job interview candidates commented on how fun and exciting the office felt. Our space now reflected the company’s vision and helped inspire employees to do their best each day.”
She added that creating impressive office spaces does not have to be time consuming or expensive. For example, simply decorating the area with pictures of employees and customers can help. Also, managers can benefit from getting their teams involved, Ms Finley suggested.
Talking about the collaborative effort of her workers, she said: “Some employees volunteered to stay late a few nights to decorate. I remember our merchandiser arranging photos, our operations person dabbing paint to even out the concrete floor and me scotch-guarding the couch. It was a really fun, bonding experience.”
Another top tip offered by the businesswoman was to make the most of chic but low-cost products.
Of course, as well as concentrating on the aesthetics of offices, it is important for bosses to get the basics right. For example, no office is complete without good quality seating and desks. In the absence of these items, companies can quickly find themselves subject to furniture at work problems, including furniture at work complaints.
Luckily for managers, it is now easier than ever to get hold of good quality products and, by heading online, they should be able to benefit from impressive value for money. By taking the issue of office design seriously, bosses can help to boost the prospects of their organisations.
About the author – Anna Longdin is a freelance blogger who contributes regularly to a wide range of workplace furniture websites, including Furniture At Work™.