If
your business has relocated, you won'thave the same set up you became accustomed to in your former space. However, whether you're the CEO or just starting out in an entry-level position, your office will become your second home (not to mention the face of your company).
Need suggestions on what you should consider when decorating your office after a
business move? Take a look at some of the following tips to help you get started.
Sending the right message
Image is everything, so moving your business to a new location lends the opportunity to get a fresh visual start - first impressions are important. Are you giving your entire business a makeover or rebranding? If so, you may want to hire an interior decorator to help you craft the right image in your new location.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How big is my space?
- Do I want to keep the same look and feel as my previous location?
- How small or large is my budget for this decorating project? Can some things wait?
- What does the office need?
All of these things will play a role in how your new office takes shape. Maybe you relocated because you needed to downsize your space, so a large conference room with an executive table and leather seating for 10 may not be a viable option.
Or, maybe you're expanding due to a larger client base, so you have a little more room in the budget to play around with color schemes, new furniture, artwork, door signage, lighting and various other office supplies. The way you choose to decorate (or redecorate) your office will depend largely on the type of business you have.
Quick decorating tips for different types of businesses:
- If you own a corporate office building, you want to keep your color scheme clean, simple and elegant. Neutral tones are best for your main color - beige, light gray, cream - while bright colors are best saved for a single accent wall, or as small highlights throughout the office space (this would likely be your brand color). Adorn the walls tastefully with glass business signs, and soft lighting that is welcoming to your clients. (If your business is more creative, some liberties can be taken in terms of vibrant colors, but again, less is more).
- If you own a restaurant, red and yellow are said to trigger hunger - if you don't overdo them, you may just have customers with higher bills as a result. What about your seating? Is it comfortable? Can you afford to have anything replaced? Try having a piece of artwork being the main focal point of the space to keep your customers engaged in the atmosphere.
- If you own a warehouse, you may not think this type of space requires any extra visual attention; however, you still want to ensure you have a fresh coat of paint and the proper water sealants applied. If florescent lighting is too harsh, try something a little softer.
- If you own a retail store, you will certainly want to get the most merchandise on the floor without crowding your space - your customers want room to breathe. Look into space efficient shelving and racks to hang any items that call for it. Some flood lighting to highlight new or sale items is not a bad idea, either. Your color scheme will vary based on your brand and your merchandise, so take the time and choose carefully.
Office necessities
Office supplies may not really add to the décor, but they are a functioning part of every business. If you get a little creative, you can surely have office supplies that blend with your décor:
- Have your brand's label printed on pens, pencils, or pencil holders (not necessarily all three). This is a good way to market your company (everyone loves free pens), and keep consistency at the same time.
- Stock the kitchen with matching coffee mugs, cups, plates, bowls and silverware - this attention to detail can go a long way when any potential clients or employees are visiting your common work areas.
- Color code your storage, because nobody likes a cluttered office. Keep your file cabinets in a neutral color, and get as many as you need to accommodate all of your files so you don't have miscellaneous papers laying around. You can color code each file drawer with any color of your choosing.
Employee's personal touches
Most of the time, office employees will adorn their cubicles and office desks with some light decoration - such as picture frames, dry erase boards, pencil holders, small plants and maybe even some artwork. If you own the business, you should be clear to your employees about how far they can go when it comes to decoration. Let employees with private offices know if it is acceptable to paint their space, for example, and if so, will there be any limitations on the color?
Organization plays a big part in your employees productivity, so you want to be sure your staff is not cluttering desks with 10 different house plants, or starting a collection of dried out highlighters they forgot to get rid of. While you want to allow them to have their freedom and comfort, you also don't want that freedom abused - keep an open line of communication at all times.