7 Tips for Designing Your Startup Office
Guest post by Jane Hurst, https://www.lifehack.org/author/jane-hurst & https://blog.getresponse.com/author/jane-hurst
When getting your new startup off the ground, there are many things to consider, and one of the more important considerations is how you are going to furnish your office. It needs to be something that you are comfortable with, as well as something that is going to be attractive to customers and clients, and be a suitable environment for your business. Your office design is something that you have to take very seriously, and it never hurts to have a little bit of outside help. With that in mind, here are seven tips to help you furnish your startup office.
1) Find Your Style – The style of your startup office should reflect the type of business, as well as your personality. For instance, if your business is more on the playful side, you don’t want to have an office that is all seriousness. On the other hand, if your business is more serious, the design should reflect this. You want your office design to be a reflection of your business, and tell people what they can expect as soon as they walk through the doors.
2) Be Your Quirky Self – Not everything in business has to be serious, and you can certainly incorporate a bit of your own quirkiness into the design of your startup office. Obviously, you don’t want to turn the place into a circus, but a few accent pieces that reflect your own personality will suit nicely. Add a few hand-made items, antiques, or anything else that reflects you and your business. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.
3) Do it On the Cheap – You don’t have to spend a lot of money in order to have the ideal startup office. Look for deals on furnishings, decorations, etc. Don’t be hesitant to shop for used merchandise, and be sure to go online to search for the best deals on both new and used items for your startup office. You can find many terrific deals and coupon codes on office furniture and accessories, as well as reviews, at Lodlois.
4) Make it Comfortable – With more and more people working from home, you need an office that is going to be attractive to employees who don’t like a traditional office environment. Look at creating an environment that is homey and comfortable, beginning with the right furniture. Use chairs that are padded and comfortable, and offer a variety of postures. Offer comfy sofas and tables where people can take a break and put up their feet.
5) Create Collaboration Areas – Some of the best ideas in business have come from coworkers brainstorming together. Your office should include areas where people can get together to collaborate on ideas. Make zones for both small and large groups, such as a round table for a couple of people and a meeting room for larger groups that are working together on projects and new ideas. Don’t forget about writeable walls and corkboard for memos and notes.
6) Keep the Air Clean – In addition to ensuring that your office is a smoke-free area, it is also a good idea to invest in air fresheners. It doesn’t cost a lot to change the scent in your office, and this little change could make all the difference in the world. In fact, it is a scientific fact that certain scents invoke certain emotions in people. You can use scents to create the best atmosphere for conducting your business.
7) Keep it Tidy – You can decorate until the cows come home, but if your office isn’t neat and tidy, it isn’t going to be attractive to customers or employees. If you can afford it, hire a cleaning service to come in after hours. If this isn’t an option at this time, make sure that everyone does their part to keep their own spaces clean, as well as other areas. Establish no eating at desks rules, keep waste baskets at each work station, etc.