There are a lot of companies out there that spend a small fortune on decking out their premises. But whether there are many benefits to going down the expensive route remains to be seen.
Spending a lot of money seems like a good idea until you drill down into the details and look for the characteristics that make a productive office. When you do that, you soon realize that it’s not the money that matters, but the features. It’s not the price of the office plant display that counts; it’s the fact that it exists.
The same goes for the paint job. Frankly, it doesn’t matter two hoots how much you spend on the paint, so long as it induces the mood you want.
Are you decking out new premises? Here’s how to get all the benefits but without cratering your budget.
Add Random Quirky Elements
Most businesses seem to think that they need to go for that corporate grey and choose generic furniture options. But when you think about it, there’s no reason to go down this route. It doesn’t add an awful lot to your enterprise and can make it feel generic.
A much better option is to add items that make your office unusual or quirky. You can do this by upcycling your old cabinets or using ottomans. Whatever route you take, don’t be afraid to show off your antique items, even if they look a bit beaten. That sort of thing is in fashion right now.
Stop Replacing Your Furniture Outright
Once a swivel chair comes to the end of its life, most companies will just discard it and get a new one. After all, what’s the alternative?
Well, it turns out that the other option is refurb chairs. Instead of throwing away the entire unit, you just replace the bits that wear out, like the foam cushion and generate massive savings in the process. It’s a shortcut to a premises refurb that releases funds in your budget for higher-impact renovations.
Stop Using Corporate Art
Corporate art came about at a time when companies didn’t want to express themselves for fear of distracting or offending their stakeholders. Things, however, are changing in the world of business. Companies are becoming increasingly comfortable with the idea of brand identity and using art to express it.
So that’s the good news: you can stop using corporate art. Why not include something that better reflects your brand and stylistic goals?
Use Essential Oils
Using essential oils sounds more like the kind of thing you’d do in a home office, but you don’t have to compartmentalize things like that. Essential oils work just as well in the corporate environment.
What’s more, there’s tantalizing evidence that these oils – such as lavender and jasmine – can actually reduce the number of errors employees make in their work. Thus, we might also have to be careful not only with what we eat but also what we smell.
Summarizing, therefore, you don’t have to spend a fortune on new premises. Simple changes can make a world of difference.
