By Nicole Groshek bio
Providing employees with a change in scenery helps keep them inspired and productive. According to a recent survey, majority of office workers wish their office would consider an upgrade; younger adults especially care more about a workplace look and feel. As law offices work to attract and retain younger talent, it’s important to find ways to update the workspace.
Here are five effective and affordable ways to update your law office and with a modern, refreshed look without committing to a complete overhaul.
1. It’s all in the details
Small details go a long way. Update artwork—framed artwork, canvas paintings, posters, and sculptures can instantly refresh the look of your common areas and conference rooms. If you have neutral colored furniture and walls, other types of décor such as vases, throw pillows, area rugs, and accent chairs can help add pops of color on a seasonal basis.
2. Natural elements improve productivity
Although real plants provide the most health benefits by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the air, faux plants and even nature photography have a positive effect on the well-being of employees. Why? The simple act of looking at greenery gives us the same feeling as when we’re taking a stroll through a park—peace and relaxation. Again, this is something easily switched out on a regular basis.
3. Divide and conquer
The rise of the open concept office has led to a serious lack of privacy that employees have had to learn to adapt to and manage—an Exeter University study has shown a 15 percent reduction in productivity seen in open concept offices. While open concepts help with collaboration and transparency, there are occasional needs for privacy. Mobile room dividers and flexible partitions are affordable and easy to add to any space that could use division, or to create a make-shift meeting space so as not to bother the entire room. The best part—they also come in an assortment of styles that can transform the look of your office into something truly beautiful.
4. Comfort is key
Your employees are spending at least 40 hours a week in the office. And most of those hours will be in a chair. An easy way to boost morale while giving an aesthetic makeover is providing the same chair to employees. Of course, everyone has different needs when it comes to the type of chair that best supports them. Luckily there are ergonomic options that have enough adjustments to accommodate everyone.
5.Organize and declutter
The easiest, most affordable solution on this list is to get the whole office involved in some good old-fashioned desk cleanup. Set guidelines for what you expect employee workstations to look like at the end of each day and enforce them. This may require you to provide extra filing and storage furniture, but it will create the clean, organized look your office needs.
Conclusion
Interior redesigns come at a high cost that requires careful planning and expensive budgets many businesses simply can’t afford. Breathing new life into even the dullest office doesn’t need to cost a fortune. By making these small, affordable changes, you’ll be able to improve office appearance and boost employee morale in no time, while making a good first impression on clients and new talent.
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