Sure signs that your office is in need of a revamp
You might feel as though you spend most of your waking life at your desk, so it’s vital that your workspace is up-to-scratch. If your seating’s substandard, your desks are dodgy and your filing cabinets don’t fit the bill, it could be time for a change. Here are three sure signs that your office is in need of a revamp.
Piles of paperwork
Whether you work in a small home office or a large commercial space, effective storage is a must – and plenty of it. Take a moment to cast your eyes around your work area. If you see piles of paperwork, the chances are you’ve not yet nailed this aspect of office design. Perhaps your storage was once sufficient, but as time’s gone by you’ve outgrown the solutions. By replacing or adding to your storage, you stand to dramatically improve the look and feel of your workspace. Under-desk pedestals can come in handy if you have limited square footage, and drawers and shelving can also prove useful. Meanwhile, as office supplier Furniture At Work™ notes, filing cabinets are an integral part of most offices too.
By improving your storage, you’ll be able to clear any clutter and you should find it easier to keep your work area clean and tidy.
A workstation that leaves you feeling worse for wear
If you suffer from aches and pains at the end of the working day, the chances are your workstation isn’t up to par. Poorly designed and made seating and unsuitable desks can wreak havoc on your health and wellbeing, increasing the risk of a host of neck and back problems and putting you at an increased danger of developing repetitive strain injuries. So,if you’re not happy with the standard of your office furniture, now’s the time to take action.
When you’re choosing new chairs, look for models that provide firm support for the middle and lower back, and ideally opt for height adjustable versions. Meanwhile, the relative height of your seat and desk should mean that any hand work, like typing or writing, can be done at elbow level or below.
Colors that stop you concentrating
You should also think about making changes to your workspace if your current color scheme leaves you unable to concentrate. Rather than seeing office décor as a frivolous afterthought, it’s important to view effective interior design as a staple of any successful work area. After all, experts believe it can have a profound impact on our moods and our ability to work. Speaking to the Huffington Post, environmental psychologist Dr Sally Augustin suggested that bold hues can be bad in offices. According to the specialist, intense colors like emerald green and sapphire blue can prevent people from concentrating. However, white might not be a good idea either. Also speaking to the publication, director of color marketing for BEHR Erika Woelfel claimed that all-white environments can create a sterile and intimidating vibe. Instead, calmer colors, like warm grays, might be a better option.
If your office suffers from any of these shortcomings, it’s a good idea to take action sooner rather than later. You might be surprised by how much of a difference a fresh lick of paint and some new furnishings can make to this space.
