Your office is not just the place where you work. It is also where you get the business which keeps your office running. So decorating your office should never be a hit and miss affair. Here are some ideas to empower your office.
First impressions count
What’s the first thing a visitor notices when he visits your office? The front door! Office décor must start right at the front door. Let the door make a solid statement about your business. Put a solid plaque at eye level. Make it a bold advertisement of your company. State your business in short and simple terms. Put your visitor into the right frame of mind even before he steps into your office.
Make it smell good
Don’t neglect the power of smell. Let there be a good fragrance to welcome your visitor the moment he steps into your office. Change the fragrance every day. Have a number of scents in the store to use on a rotating basis.
Let there be light
Your office should be bright and cheery. If possible, let in natural light. If that’s not possible, use indirect lighting. The ambience should be warm. Don’t make your office bright and glaring like an operating theatre.
Colour adds variety
Whatever the colour scheme you use for your office, remember that variety enlivens the atmosphere. Even a cheery orange can be depressing if it is used overwhelmingly. Let there be contrast here and there. Overall the tone should be subdued. The colour should not distract from the work at hand.
Keep clutter out of sight
Wires and cables should be tucked away neatly. Files and folders should be stored behind closed cabinets. There is no necessity to have chaotic shambles on the desk to show that there are lots of work in progress. The correct impression should be efficiency in getting things done with the minimum of fuss.
Don’t skimp on the throne
Your office chair is your throne. That’s where you sit most of the day. It’s your command post. Put some thought and money into getting a chair which gives you the right support the whole day long. Choose a chair which gives you mobility without getting up. It should be adjustable, up and down plus back and forth. You should be able to sit upright to get work done as well as lay back to take a rest. Make sure the cover breathes. Fabric is the best choice for this purpose.
Let there be candy for the eyes
If you have an office with a good view, great. If not, create one. Put up big pictures of some good scenery. If you have the space, you can even put a big aquarium against one wall. A live display is always a treat for the eyes.
Provide aural entertainment, too.
Working in a totally silent environment is not the best way to stimulate productivity. Have some music playing in the background. Keep the volume in the background as well. The sound is supposed to be soothing and not disruptive.
Don’t forget the coffee bar
Light refreshment should always be available. All it takes is just a little corner. Keep it well-stocked. A cup of freshly-brewed coffee goes a long way to making your visitors feel welcomed and your workers feel at home.
Doesn’t all this cost a lot of money?
Yes, it does cost some money. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. All it takes is some planning and some sensible shopping. It’s a worthwhile investment. Your office is your source of income. With the right touch, you can add more power to your office environment. More power means more money in the pocket for you.
