Don’t let your workplace suffer from these common office design mistakes!
Great work gets done at great offices. When you can set up your office design to suit your workers, you are enabling their success. Your office design must account for the comfort and functional needs of your employees while conveying excellent style. Many times when businesses try to design their office for themselves, they may run into some trouble. Here are some common office design mistakes your workplace should try to avoid.
Blocking Natural Lighting
Poor lighting, in general, is detrimental to overall productivity. One of the best types of lighting out there is natural lighting, so make sure everyone in the office gets a good dose of it! Take advantage of large windows and perimeter rooms, and make these the designated shared space or break area. This way, more people in the building can benefit from some rays of sunlight exposure, rather than keeping it only for those with private offices.
Forgetting Ergonomics
When choosing the essential pieces of office furniture, you cannot forget to get the ergonomic models. The chairs and desks you and your employees use every day can cause physical discomfort if your furniture doesn’t cater to the human body’s natural positioning and posture. Some ergonomic furniture may require a small investment upfront but will give you a better return (for your health) in the long run.
Not Controlling For Noise
Neglecting to control the office design for acoustics is a massive distraction to everyone. There are plenty of ways to reduce excessive noise throughout the office by implementing a few design strategies. You may require different types of furniture or surface coverings, or even find the need to install a sound masking device.
Placing Aesthetic Before Function
Ultimately, when your workers show up for the workday, they need to get their tasks done. A stylish and trendy office space is nothing if it doesn’t make getting their projects and work done go smoothly. Or worse, a bad office design can actually impede productivity. There’s a time to prioritize the practical, and designing your office should be one of those times.
…But Don’t Throw Out Style
While we firmly believe that function is most important in office design, we find a pleasantly decorated and furnished office also contributes significantly to worker happiness and satisfaction. Including some wall art, interesting seating, and fun extras like potted plants makes the office environment feel much more inviting and engaging. In the end, stimulating your employees’ creativity with the decor may just help them solve a business problem.
Choose Edwards & Hill for Your Office Furniture and Design Needs
Are you ready to redesign your office to maximize productivity and creative thinking? Edwards & Hill can help you design and install the perfect designs for your business. Edwards & Hill is a leading office, education, medical, and hospitality furniture provider with high-quality design and installation services for any style or scale. If you are ready to get your office design started, contact us online or give us a call at 301-317-4250. For more furniture design tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Flickr, and YouTube.
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