Imprint Plus Canada
Offices that haven’t been updated in years and years can seem run down, monotonous, and boring, even when they are well-kept.
You don’t need to go through a full-scale redesign, though. There are little things you can do (which, in some cases, cost little to nothing) that will give an office space a whole new, revitalized spirit.
That change of pace can make an office space feel welcoming, renewed, bright, and energized, and the best part is, in some of these instances, you can improve branding, office sustainability, and more.
Let There Be Light
Too many offices are lit by bright, cool white-blue overhead fluorescents that scald the eyes and look dreadfully artificial.
You know what’s free? Sunlight, and sunlight may even trigger the brain to release serotonin - that is, a hormone that uplifts the mood and makes you feel good.
Granted, this won’t work in all office spaces. Some are just too large to make use of natural light. But it will work for others. If your office space is small and ringed by windows, let the light in.
This can also potentially help save on energy costs, which is better for the environment. And, by the way, if you haven’t updated your fluorescents to LED retrofits yet, get that done. LEDs last much longer and are volumes more energy efficient than fluorescent lights.
Bring the Outdoors in
Biophilia, or the love of living things and using live arrangements in decor, is on the rise in popularity.
How can you put this into effect in your office? Introduce some greenery!
Some employees report that live plants in the office make them feel more positive, and productive, and uplift their mood.
Even if that isn’t the case, live plants regulate ambient volume, help fill uncomfortable negative spaces, and can mediate humidity in indoor spaces, which can help alleviate uncomfortable dry air during the winter months.
Best of all, live plants can help filter carbon dioxide and toxins out of the air, such as VOCs, leaving fresh, vital oxygen in their place.
Moreover, there are many plants that will flourish inside with minimal light, food, water, and care. Consider sansevieria, ZZ plants, spider plants, jade plants, pothos, bromeliads, or even orchids, which, though they will require a bit more care, can add bright bursts of colorful blossoms.
Update Employee Badges, Photo ID Holders, and Other Signage
Are your employees still working with years-old name badges, paper badges, or no badges at all? If they are client-facing, that’s not the best look!
Designing a new set of company name badges or photo IDs and pairing them with high-quality photo ID holders can improve your branding, polish your employee uniforms, and potentially improve communications.
But it’s not just about branding. We offer a wide range of unique professional name badges made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo, aluminum, and of course, HDPE, which is non-toxic, long-lasting, and recyclable.
Even our photo ID holders (which are made from EVA) are more environmentally friendly than PVC. When released into the environment, PVC breaks down and releases toxic chlorides. EVA does not, and our ID card holders are long-lasting, fade-resistant, and non-yellowing.
They’re perfect ID badge holders for proudly displaying a brand new suite of custom-designed, personalized, branded employee name badges.
Office Decoration
We get it. Decorating can be expensive, time-consuming, and if no one takes note of it, pointless. But even the dullest, dingiest office can be brightened by some thoughtful seasonal decorations, and anywhere that you host clients should be as bright and welcoming as possible.
It doesn’t have to be done expensively, either. Encourage employees to bring in decorations for their desks, such as photos of family and loved ones. Create a public space where employees can post pictures of their pets.
Almost everyone will love that, and it will make an office feel much more welcoming, warm, and inviting.
Add Extra Storage (Improve Organization, Decrease Clutter!)
They say clutter kills productivity. If that’s the case, clutter must be the worst thing you can allow in an office. Eliminate it at the source by improving the footprint of the office with additional storage facilities and furniture.
Instead of leaving communal office supplies out in the open, get new organizers or a set of steel drawers or shelves and organize (and label) them in there. A little bit of organization goes a long way.
Cable management is another aspect of keeping organized. Instead of leaving loose cables splayed all over the floor and behind desks, provide cable organizers for your employees. They’re affordable, and employees that actually use them will appreciate the fact that they don’t need to fight for leg space under their desks.
Increase Employee Comfort (Ergonomics Count)
Offering your employees a comfortable workstation will go a long way toward productivity, but it will also influence employee satisfaction.
An ergonomic setup not only makes employees feel good but will also make it a lot easier to focus on work when they’re comfortable and their wrists or backs aren’t sore.
Consider offering little perks to your employees: wrist rests, chair cushions, or lumbar support, that sort of thing. See what you have the funds to offer and consider using them to upgrade your current office setup in favor of employee comfort.
Offer Healthy Drinks and Snacks
Similarly, you may be able to improve employee satisfaction by stocking communal areas with healthy snacks and drinks.
Many offices offer coffee, tea, and water. Get on board with that if you don’t already; these are not particularly expensive to provide and (nearly) everyone feels better after they’ve had a shot of caffeine.
Healthy snacks can improve morale and boost productivity, too, but stay away from snacks like cookies and cakes that (while employees might appreciate them) can cause the indulger to feel tired and lethargic after eating.
Consider healthy snacks like nuts and granola bars, which offer long-shelf lives at room temperature, and which will still be (mostly) universally appreciated.
Put Some of These into Practice Today
From photo ID holders to healthy snacks to leveraging natural light sources, there are endless opportunities to boost employee morale, improve productivity, boost branding, and kickstart sustainability around the office. Try out some of these today; some of these tips cost nothing!
