Office renovations can be expensive, so it’s tempting to put them off for another year especially if your profits have been a bit up and down. But if your workspace is starting to look tired (or no longer works for the way your business has grown) then it’s so worth taking a proper look at what needs changing. A well planned office can make your team more productive and leave a better impression on clients, it can help you make better use of the space you already have so if you’ve been thinking you need to buy or rent something bigger that might not be the case. Here are some things to think about. 

Planning

Before you start ordering furniture or knocking down walls, spend a few days looking at how your office is actually being used. Which areas always seem crowded? Which desks are empty most of the day? Are people constantly walking across the office to use the printer or find a meeting room? Small frustrations soon add up. Storage in offices usually deserves more attention than  gets too. Even modern offices where most things are done on line still have a habit of collecting paperwork, equipment and boxes that nobody seems willing to throw away. Rather than adding another cupboard every few years, use the renovation as an opportunity to clear out anything you no longer need. 

Ask staff

It’s worth asking your staff what they’d change, they’re the ones that use the space the most and likely will live with some issues you might not even know about. You don’t have to agree with every suggestion, but the people who spend eight hours a day in the office probably know if best. Maybe the meeting room is too small, there’s never enough storage, or the lighting makes computer work uncomfortable after a few hours. These sorts of things can be sorted out while you’re making changes.

Decorating and making good 

A coat of paint can make a huge difference, spend some time thinking about the colours. You want colours that will look professional and boost productivity from your staff as well as incorporate your brand colours in areas if you can. Don’t forget about the parts of the office your customers actually see. The reception area, meeting rooms and even the toilets all help shape someone’s opinion of your business. You don’t need expensive finishes to make a good impression, but clean, well maintained spaces show that you care about the details. Fixing things like doors makes a big difference as they’re something everyone sees, and can also improve security too. A commercial door repair service can make good what you already have, or you could replace. Fixing things like scuffed walls, any broken furniture etc will tidy things right up. 

Future proofing

One mistake to avoid is renovating for the business needs you have today without thinking about next year. If you’re planning to take on more staff for example then make sure the layout can cope with it. It can be frustrating to finish an expensive refurbishment only to realise six months later that you’ve already run out of space.

Lighting

A dark office can feel so gloomy, even if it’s been freshly decorated. If you can bring in more natural light, it’s usually worth doing. Where that’s not possible, replacing old fluorescent lighting with modern LED fittings can completely change how a room feels without blowing the budget.