It’s important to avoid confusing formality with stiffness and boredom. There are certain business premises we might attend without the most flowery mood accompanying us, such as a law firm or a funeral directors’ office. However, while both of those examples would need to portray professionalism, reliability and respect, some good decors goes a long way in welcoming the clientele and ensuring they feel calm.
The same also applies to the spaces your staff works in. Perhaps you have a small office with a simple desk setup and all the basic amenities you may expect to find. But remember that people spend nearly a quarter of their lives working for you in such an environment, and so a little personality never hurt anyone. This is especially true because visuals and design help reinforce your brand and values, be that in decors or design.
So, if you’re encountering “office-drabness-syndrome,” you may wish to consider the following suggestions:
Coffee Tables & Informal Meeting Spaces
Not every meeting needs to happen in a boardroom with a mahogany table and chairs that squeak when you shift your weight, but this is the impression we get. That’s because often, the best ideas come from casual conversations over a cup of coffee or a quick chat by the window. This Coffee Table With Glass Top by CFS could be a good example. As such, investing in comfortable seating and informal meeting nooks can encourage conversation and creativity. It’s nice to have an office space where people let their guard down and just talk. It’s also a great way to break up the monotony of rows of desks and harsh lighting. That doesn’t mean your office needs to be a chill Starbucks-like hangout, but a nice combination of both options can work.
Plant Life & Air Flow
If people can come into your office and take a deep breath of satisfaction, that’s better than dreadnig the workday. Greenery is good because plants improve air quality, reduce stress, and can even boost productivity. You don’t need to turn your office into a jungle (unless that’s your brand vibe, in which case, go for it), but a few well-placed succulents, a fiddle-leaf fig in the corner, or even some hanging plants can breathe life into the space provided they’re cared for and aren’t too overbearing. Pair that with good air flow such as open windows, air purifiers, or even just a fan in summer that isn’t directly aimed at anyone, and suddenly, your office feels less like a stuffy cave and more like a place where people can actually breathe.
Gentle Celebrations Of Your Brand Story
It’s nice to have an office space celebrate your brand story and connect people under one banner. But that doesn’t mean slapping your logo on every available surface and calling it a day or having a huge graffiti mural that aims to be as funky as possible.You may just have a team wall of lovely pictures of your staff from the years, a reminder of your company’s mission, or a display of products that showcase your journey, framed and cased on a timeline people can see. If you can make it feel authentic, not forced that’s the best outcome.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily avoid “office drabness syndrome” and instead enjoy this process.