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Improving Your Business Work Space

Since you and any staff you work with spend several hours a day at work, it’s important that your working environment is conducive to efficiency and thus maximum productivity.

There’s much you can do – not necessarily expensively either – to improve the workspace whether making a significant change, such as relocating, or more subtle alterations.

Ease of change

Environments can be easily altered these days; if you need more space you don’t necessarily have to think in terms of expensive office moves –

Since you and any staff you work with spend several hours a day at work, it’s important that your working environment is conducive to efficiency and thus maximum productivity.

There’s much you can do – not necessarily expensively either – to improve the workspace whether making a significant change, such as relocating, or more subtle alterations.

Ease of change

Environments can be easily altered these days; if you need more space you don’t necessarily have to think in terms of expensive office moves – prefabricated metal structures can be made into permanent, comfortable workspaces through add ons such as insulation, windows, skylights and venting.

More space means less stress and inefficiency

Requiring more space means efficiency usually drops; storing items becomes difficult, people are crammed in rather than being able to stretch out leading to clutter, and often poor siting of work equipment (for example computer screens in direct sunlight) makes conditions difficult.

Solutions such as prefabricated steel structures as above are one idea as is maximizing the space you do have:

Decluttering – it’s possible you’re hoarding items you no longer need such as seldom-used pieces of office equipment and old paperwork that no longer serves a purpose.

Be ruthless and dispose of anything taking up space that isn’t in use.

Revise layout – perhaps reconfiguring the office or work area layout could help create more space? At least it may make the environment more comfortable for you and any staff you have.

A far-reaching declutter and re-siting of furniture or workplace equipment may well improve space and comfort.

Other ways to improve the space

Redecorate – certain colors can improve the feeling of space and airiness along with generally cheering things up and improving your work environment if the decor has become a bit tired.

Colors such as paler blues are calming and are said to help creativity and focus. Then again, maybe you’re looking to foster a more dynamic environment, so shades such as yellows or oranges may work well.

Overall, improving the feeling of space is worthwhile and can be achieved for the price of a few tins of paint.

Nature and mirrors – other touches such as mirrors put up in certain areas help create a feeling of space, and the odd plant dotted about softens the look of certain business environments.

Maybe a little artificial grass could promote a restful atmosphere in certain areas such as those used for breaks or ad hoc meetings? Using fake grass and perhaps plants whether real or artificial is the ‘emulation of nature’ policy that some businesses are following to improve their workplaces, so could be worth considering.

Use natural light where possible, even to the point of considering installing an extra window or maybe one or two skylights.

Ergonomicsgood ergonomics is very important especially for people working in a fixed position for prolonged periods.

Take a look at chairs and workstations; are they the best they could be ergonomically? Investing in well-designed office furniture is worth it to promote comfort so helping maintain or even improve efficiency and productivity levels.

Temperature and air quality – workers understandably find it more difficult to do their jobs effectively when too hot, cold, or breathing poor quality air.

Ensuring adequate air venting, heating and – when required – air conditioning is in place will help keep your work area as comfortable as possible in all conditions.

Don’t forget to have systems checked regularly; air filtration units with clogged vents and poorly serviced air conditioners will see a downturn in optimal working conditions, so keep maintenance schedules up to date.

through add ons such as insulation, windows, skylights and venting.

More space means less stress and inefficiency

Requiring more space means efficiency usually drops; storing items becomes difficult, people are crammed in rather than being able to stretch out leading to clutter, and often poor siting of work equipment (for example computer screens in direct sunlight) makes conditions difficult.

Solutions such as prefabricated steel structures as above are one idea as is maximizing the space you do have:

Decluttering – it’s possible you’re hoarding items you no longer need such as seldom-used pieces of office equipment and old paperwork that no longer serves a purpose.

Be ruthless and dispose of anything taking up space that isn’t in use.

Revise layout – perhaps reconfiguring the office or work area layout could help create more space? At least it may make the environment more comfortable for you and any staff you have.

A far-reaching declutter and re-siting of furniture or workplace equipment may well improve space and comfort.

Other ways to improve the space

Redecorate – certain colors can improve the feeling of space and airiness along with generally cheering things up and improving your work environment if the decor has become a bit tired.

Colors such as paler blues are calming and are said to help creativity and focus. Then again, maybe you’re looking to foster a more dynamic environment, so shades such as yellows or oranges may work well.

Overall, improving the feeling of space is worthwhile and can be achieved for the price of a few tins of paint.

Nature and mirrors – other touches such as mirrors put up in certain areas help create a feeling of space, and the odd plant dotted about softens the look of certain business environments.

Maybe a little artificial grass could promote a restful atmosphere in certain areas such as those used for breaks or ad hoc meetings? Using fake grass and perhaps plants whether real or artificial is the ‘emulation of nature’ policy that some businesses are following to improve their workplaces, so could be worth considering.

Use natural light where possible, even to the point of considering installing an extra window or maybe one or two skylights.

Ergonomicsgood ergonomics is very important especially for people working in a fixed position for prolonged periods.

Take a look at chairs and workstations; are they the best they could be ergonomically? Investing in well-designed office furniture is worth it to promote comfort so helping maintain or even improve efficiency and productivity levels.

Temperature and air quality – workers understandably find it more difficult to do their jobs effectively when too hot, cold, or breathing poor quality air.

Ensuring adequate air venting, heating and – when required – air conditioning is in place will help keep your work area as comfortable as possible in all conditions.

Don’t forget to have systems checked regularly; air filtration units with clogged vents and poorly serviced air conditioners will see a downturn in optimal working conditions, so keep maintenance schedules up to date.

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Latest Issue

BDC 316 : May 2024