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5 ways to modernise your office

They say that a change is as good as a rest, and that most definitely applies to offices. The modern employee expects a level of comfort and stimulus in the workplace, so regularly updating your office’s decor, furnishings and branding is essential. Attractive, modern and ergonomically designed offices that are on trend can be sources of great motivation for employees, and productivity can increase as a result. But before you spend a huge amount of money on the modernisation of your own office, it’s good to remember that there is more than one way to breathe new life into a workplace.

1. Add a splash of colour

Perhaps the cheapest, simplest and least disruptive way to modernise your office is to give it a makeover with a lick of paint. The addition of some natural, bright and soothing colours can give everyone in the office a lift, and all it costs is the price of a few pots of paint. Subtle shades of yellow, green and pastel colours work brilliantly in modern offices. And remember, there is nothing wrong with making a feature of a single wall in your office by adding a vibrant colour in order to break up the monotony of your workplace decor.

2. Provide opportunities for staff to unwind

Research has shown that regular breaks and distractions can keep employees energised, focused and motivated. If you have space, cordon off an area of your office, and furnish it for comfort with office carpet tiles, soft furnishings and a few carefully chosen pieces of art. You could add a TV, supply magazines or even a gaming console if that’s what it takes to de-stress your workforce during the cut and thrust of a busy working day.

3. Work on noise reduction

Offices are always relatively noise-filled environments, but they can become distractingly so if measures aren’t taken to reduce excess noise. If possible, keep all your noisy items of office equipment - including copiers and printers - in an area away from workstations. It might also be worth installing carpet from a commercial flooring specialist, as this will help to absorb the click-clack of work shoes.

4. Break down barriers

The old-fashioned way of working is becoming a relic of the past. The sight of office cubicles, partition walls and desk dividers is very rare in the modern office. Instead, workplaces are open-plan, as this layout promotes communication and fosters an ethic of teamwork and cooperation. Staff can feel isolated and lonely if they’re forced to spend eight hours a day in effective isolation. A recent study also revealed that open-plan work spaces can drastically reduce incidents involving employee misconduct.

5. Embrace tech wherever you can

There is a huge range of modern technology designed to make the average working day easier - it’s simply a matter of utilising the right solutions in the right areas. At the very least, your office should be fully equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, as this will allow employees to pick up their laptops and congregate with staff in other areas of the workplace. Video conferencing technology might be expensive, but it could save your business a fortune in the long run. Travelling expenses and the time spent getting from one location to another can quickly add up over the course of the year, so having the ability to connect via Skype and other online services could prove invaluable to your operation.

While modernising your office can deliver some tangible benefits to your business, it’s important not to simply make improvements for the sake of it. Every modernisation you introduce will likely cost you money, so it’s important to gauge the benefits of each change you make in advance. By consulting with experts and your employees, you can modernise your office to improve the profitability of your entire business.

Company Profile:

Selby Carpets supply and fit every type of carpets and flooring in the London area for both commercial and business premises.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Grant Pettersson .