To maintain a healthy and safe environment for employees, you must improve the office building over time. There are many different ways to improve your office space, including adding new furniture or changing carpeting with hardwood floors. These changes can be expensive, but they will have a huge impact on the look and feel of your company’s work environment. The following are some suggestions on how to improve your office building.
Improve the Lighting By Replacing Light Bulbs With LEDs
This is an inexpensive way to make a big difference in your office. Replacing the old incandescent lights with LED lighting will save you money and reduce the amount of electricity used by 30%. In addition, this change will also significantly increase productivity because there won’t be any glare on screens which can cause eye strain.
Replace Old Carpeting With Hardwood Floors
The carpeting in the office can trap dust, allergens, and other contaminants, which leads to a higher level of indoor air pollution. In turn, this could lead to things like asthma or chronic lung problems for your employees. A great way to clean up the air is by installing some new flooring throughout the office. You can do this by removing the old carpet and installing hardwood floors which are more durable than carpeting with no fibers to trap dust, allergens, or other contaminants. Hardwood floors can make your office feel more luxurious as well. It can give it a completely new look.
Add a Few Plants
Adding some greenery to your office is another great way to improve the environment. Plants have been shown to reduce stress, increase productivity, and lower absenteeism due to illness. In addition, they can also help purify the air by absorbing chemicals from materials used for cleaning, like formaldehyde or ammonia, which leads back into the air. Plants can add color and brightness without having to put too much effort into decorating. Your employees will be sure to appreciate some nature inside of the office.
Install a New A/C Unit
The right air conditioning system can make an entire difference in your office building. Installing the newer, more energy-efficient units will help to save you money on electricity costs and reduce maintenance fees. In addition, these systems use significantly less water, which is very important for those living in drought-prone areas or regions prone to wildfires. A cool environment to work in, especially during the summer, can help with productivity. Your employees will be tired and lack focus if it’s too hot in the office.
Add Cubicle Dividers
Cubicles are a great way to separate your office space, but they can be very uninspiring. Adding some new dividers will make the entire room more professional. It will give your employees privacy while still being able to have an open, collaborative work environment.
Standing Seam Roofing
The roof is often overlooked for office buildings, but this area has a huge impact on the building’s efficiency. It is highly likely you’ll need to replace the roof at some point when you’re occupying the office. If you need to replace your old roofing system with new standing seam roofing, then be sure that they are Energy Star certified and have an airtight seal to keep heat inside where needed or outside.
Add New Office Furniture
There will come a point when the furniture in your office is outdated. It’s a good idea to replace them with new styles. Plus, this will keep your employees comfortable. Upgrade the office chairs with new ones that offer the right back support for your employees. Since they are sitting at their desk for most of the day, this shows them you care. You will also want to upgrade any furniture in common areas of your office, like the receptionist space or break room. This will make your office look more modern and professional.
Do New Decorating
Like new furniture, you’ll want to add new decorations to improve your office. You might not think this makes that much of a difference, but it can completely transform the feel of your office. Add some unique artwork in the hallways and meeting rooms. Decorative accents like vases and lamps are a nice touch as well. You can do some designing on your own, or you can hire a professional interior designer to help out.
Upgrade Your Break Room
A nice break room gives your employees a place to relax and rejuvenate during the work day. Because of this, it’s worthwhile to upgrade it from time to time. Make sure there are enough tables and chairs to accommodate every employee. You might want to add more kitchen appliances too. Make sure there’s a working coffee machine, toaster oven, microwave, and refrigerators. If you want to really show your employees you care about their comfort at work, add some fun games for them to play in the break room. You can purchase video game consoles and the latest video games for them. Arcade games can be fun too.
There are many different ways to improve the look and feel of your office space. The changes you choose should be based on what will work best for your company’s needs, budget, and specifications, but they are always important to meet current building codes. Start with just one of the above suggestions for improving your office, then move on to the next one. Any small change can make a difference.