Office redecoration is an exciting project that presents the opportunity to create a truly inspiring and welcoming space. For the best result, it’s essential to approach such a project with the right knowledge to prevent design mistakes.
Here are six mistakes to keep in mind and how you can avoid them.
1. Ignoring Ergonomics
If anything should be prioritized, it should be ergonomic furniture, especially seating that supports good posture and comfort. Good ergonomic office chairs can prevent neck strain, back pain and other body pains from sedentary office work.
According to the CDC, Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) such as back pain account for up to 70 million doctor visits annually in America. Investing in an ergonomic design reduces the risk of developing serious permanent health issues and saves costs that might go to health care or emergency services.
The growing demand for ergonomic office furniture means anyone can find pieces that suit their style and needs. There are height-adjustable chairs that offer lumbar support, desks that convert from standing to sitting and chairs that support comfortable sitting positions if a person feels more comfortable kneeling, squatting or sitting with crossed legs.
Once the furniture has been installed, monitors and keyboards should be placed in the correct positions to support good posture.
2. Design Shortcuts
With the excellent service and products one produces, prioritizing quality design and proper practices should be at the top of the list for an office redesign. Using shortcuts or skipping important steps can result in financial loss. Prioritizing quality, even if it takes time saves money and produces beautiful and long-lasting designs.
Some design shortcuts to avoid include.
Buying Fast furniture
It’s wise to invest in handmade or custom pieces of furniture. Handmade furniture has character, it looks good and will give the office space some charm. Additionally, handmade furniture is built to last long, while fast furniture items only last about 5 years more or less. This means that fast furniture ends up in landfills. Additionally, most fast furniture products are made from synthetic, non-biodegradable materials.
There are many shops on Etsy where you can get high-quality custom furniture. One can also look online for companies that make bespoke pieces. In addition, a good way to get beautiful classic pieces while reducing one’s carbon footprint is to shop at secondhand or vintage furniture stores.
Skipping Paint Preparation
In the spirit of custom-made furniture pieces, a great way to express personal style and design an inspiring space is to get the furniture painted. A wooden storage cabinet would look great with a fresh coat of paint to match the wallpaper or artwork. When painting wood, paint preparation is essential and should be prioritized. Just one coat of primer and one coat of paint will give a superior, longer-lasting finish than two coats of paint.
3. Using Poor Lighting
A well-lit office is essential to keep productivity levels high and improve concentration. Research shows that people working near windows are more satisfied and students who sit near windows perform better. There are several benefits of working in a well-lit office.
Higher productivity rates
Several studies show a correlation between good lighting and increased productivity; a well-lit environment means reduced mistakes and faster work.
Protects health. An office with good lighting will also protect the eyes from strain and prevent headaches and fatigue caused by dim light. The body needs daylight to produce melatonin at the right time for restful and regular sleep.
Boosts mood and morale. Warmer light is associated with positivity, happiness and optimism. A positive mood helps with motivation at work and fosters better interactions and relationships with coworkers, employees and clients.
Natural light works best, but combining warm-colored ceiling lights and natural daylight lamps can simulate natural light conditions just as well if natural lighting in the building is scarce.
4. Cold, Impersonal Decor
Besides the home, the office is where professionals spend most of their time planning projects, meeting with clients and brainstorming ideas. A plain office without personal details can decrease motivation and affect productivity. It’s essential then, to have a warm and inspiring space.
A great starting point is to work with the company values and culture. This can be incorporated into office decor through color, sculptural elements or natural elements.
For example, a manufacturing manager’s office may want and industrial-style office with raw and unfinished furnishings made from metal, brickwork and wood. To make the office feel more warm and personal, it’s worth playing with touches of color.
Decor items like wallpaper, art or even plants with interesting plant stands can make a space lively. In addition, a color-blocked wall or section with shades of orange or yellow can go a long way in making the office feel both inviting and inspiring since these colors promote enthusiasm and creativity.
5. Inadequate Soundproofing
Noise pollution can cause health issues like high blood pressure, headaches, fatigue and irritability. To prevent this, soundproofing should be part of the re-designing process.
Along with providing a space for focused work, the office should also serve as a quiet place to think or make important calls. In addition, soundproofing can lower stress levels and improve mental wellbeing.
One of the best non-invasive ways to incorporate soundproofing into a space is to use decorative acoustic panels. These nifty wall features reduce echoes and absorb sound and can create calming effects. They are also aesthetically pleasing and can be incorporated into most interior design styles.
Another way is to have bookshelves or cabinets against the walls of your office to block sound from coming in or going out. Decor pieces like rugs and carpets can absorb sound and reduce noise. If the workplace is generally noisy, it might help to get a white noise machine to drown out loud sounds.
6. Leaving Out Natural Elements
Humans have an innate liking for natural environments. It’s why a mountain hike or a walk in nature leaves one feeling refreshed. Biophilic design can bring that same feeling and atmosphere to the office. Biophilic design incorporates natural elements to give spaces vitality and an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. In addition, it improves mental and physical well-being by increasing oxygen and improving air quality.
It’s worth consulting interior designers with biophilic design experience to create a space that integrates nature into the office environment. Designers can arrange the space in a way that incorporates natural lighting, decor items and plants.
Redesign the Office With Style and Comfort in Mind
The office should be a haven, a place that inspires productivity. While some associate productivity with sterile, rigid conditions, a space prioritizing comfort and pleasant working conditions will help professionals produce far better results.
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