The past year and a half have proven that our offices’ look, feel, and atmosphere play a big part in our productivity, energy, and level of motivation. But even before the pandemic hit, we already knew through studies and real-life experiences that our environment could help influence, and even determine, the types of work we come up with and our attitude while doing it.
This is why if part of your strategy is to find energetic and young upstarts to be part of your business, your office needs to be one of the things that attract them to your company. If your office is on the older side but your staff is on the younger side or at least you want it to be, now might be the time to give your workplace a youthful makeover. Here are some tips to get you started.
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Invest in Top-Notch Technology
Nothing can instantly transport your office to 2021 more than tech tools that can help improve your workplace security and productivity. Regardless of what kind of business you’re leading and what your employees are working on, you always want to ensure that you have the most updated and best devices and technology, starting with a high-speed internet service. The most basic technologies you need to invest in are your internet access and phone system. You can eventually expand to investing in more modern desktop computers and laptops.
Investing in high-quality technology does not mean your office needs to have smart technology in every corner; start with the essentials and work your way from there. The last thing you want is Generation Z employees that spend more time fixing computers than actually doing their work.
Prioritize Comfort
Older office spaces are not always known for their comfort, and this is why now is the best time to introduce new and modern office furniture pieces that communicate that you care about your employees’ health and well-being.
From ergonomic guests to more information and comfortable spaces where you and your team can spend some time to have coffee and de-stress, making your office a more comfortable place can add a modern boost to your place of work more than a few individual design accessories and elements. And once again, if your business is short on funds, you can always replace furniture pieces one by one—you don’t need to do it all at once.
Go for Sleek, Clean Lines
There’s a reason why the Scandinavian look and neutral color palettes have taken the interior design world by storm in the past decade; people are frantically looking for a serene and quiet place where they can get away from the stresses of the world. Not only is a more minimalist look easier and more affordable to pull off, but it can also allow your employees to feel a level of peace in the office. When done right, a crisp, warm white, clean, and simple office does not have to cause you and your team to doze off during the workday; focus on natural light and simple, ergonomic furniture.
Tear Down Some Walls
The best way to foster collaboration and healthy workplace relationships is by tearing down figurative and literal walls. One of the markers of a modern space is the open space floor plan, which entails that common areas remain free from barriers and walls. If there are walls in your office you don’t need, consider knocking them down. Not only will it provide a more modern aesthetic to your office, but you will also gain some more much-needed square footage.
Combine the Old with the New
Texture is always available and present in older workspaces; you need to modernize it in various ways. Consider keeping your office’s original features like brick walls and exposed architecture, but offset these older elements with more modern materials like leather and exposed steel. Giving your office a modern update does not mean throwing away everything a bit outdated in your building; it’s only a matter of combining traditional and newer elements to make space for something more unique and stylish.
Giving your office a more updated look will help you attract young upstarts who may want to work in a company committed to getting with the times, and it will also help your current employees find more motivation to do their job well. Invest in your office and let it influence how your employees continue to grow, not just in productivity but also in their well-being.
