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Our 7 Favorite Office Designs
It’s no secret that the environment employees work in has a huge impact on their well-being. The right layout, lighting, and other features can make employees happier, healthier, and more productive.
But there’s not an easy, one-size-fits-all answer. Some of the best office designs are also the ones that reflect the unique culture of the company itself — whether it’s Pandora’s music-themed office or Airbnb’s internationally furnished headquarters. Your office design is a great way to showcase company values, like creativity or sustainability.
Every office is unique, but whatever your company’s culture, size, and industry, it’s hard to go wrong when your workplace is comfortable, clean, and aesthetically pleasing.
If you’re getting ready to remodel or redesign your workspace, keep reading and see if any of these 7 office design ideas inspire you!
1. Open spaces
It’s easy to see how the movement towards open floor plans has swept the professional world in the past several years. Of course, there are pros and cons to every layout, so not all companies will benefit from a barrier-free design, and many industries actually require solitary, separate workspaces.
If you’re not on board with a fully open floor plan, a happy medium is often a great solution. If you have enough square footage in your office, consider incorporating some open spaces here and there. The right amount of empty space can make the whole office feel bigger, brighter, and more relaxing.
Adding some communal meeting spaces also gives people the chance to collaborate, get advice, or simply move to a different setting to get a fresh perspective on a problem.
2. Natural light
Sunlight doesn’t just brighten up a room, it also brings in a long list of health benefits. Natural light has been found to increase productivity, reduce eye strain, and improve psychological health.
Unless you’re planning a full renovation, your focus will likely be on making the most of the windows you currently have. Think about installing curtains or blinds that can be easily adjusted. If you have a window that doesn’t get direct sunlight during the workday, you may decide not to cover that window at all.
Unfortunately, dirty windows also limit the flow of natural light. Getting your windows cleaned regularly (and skylights, if you have them) will remove dirt, oil, smudges, and other debris that might be coating the glass.
3. Plant life
Like sunlight, indoor plants have many benefits for offices. Countless studies and surveys have reported that indoor plants can:
- Reduce psychological and physiological stress
- Increase productivity and attract new employees
- Reduce sick days
Plants aren’t just functional, though. They’re also a smart aesthetic choice. A plant that blends well with your space will improve the overall look and feel of your office.
4. Art in the office
Walls and other blank surfaces are opportunities to inspire and motivate everyone who works at your office. Art also gives you a chance to show who you are as a company and make a great first impression when you welcome guests, prospective employees, and clients or customers.
Not sure what to do with a blank wall in your office? Here are a few ideas:
- Old photos (or new ones)
- Interesting paint colors
- An accent wall
- A mural
- Framed art
- A display of the company’s past work and/or achievements
- Your company’s mission or values written on the wall
- An inspiring quote
5. Reclaimed materials
FLP Financial (a financial services company) renovated a former factory for their Connecticut office and used reclaimed crate wood desks to create a unique, industrial style space.
If sustainability ranks highly on your list of company values, it’s easy to incorporate eco-friendly designs into your office.
- Use reclaimed materials
- Reuse what you can
- Minimize energy used on artificial lighting and heating by being strategic about windows and desk placement
- Invest in good insulation
- Make recycling as easy as possible for employees
- Use energy-efficient appliances in the break room and elsewhere
You may also choose a professional maintenance company that uses sustainable cleaning supplies, especially considering that eco-friendly cleaning products are less likely to irritate your eyes and lungs.
6. Fun and games
Ping-pong tables, dart boards, mini basketball hoops — you name it. More and more companies are adding fun, recreational activities to their break rooms in an effort to encourage employees to bond and get to know each other over friendly competition.
Not only are games a great icebreaker for new hires, but they also encourage people to get up and move around instead of sitting at their desks all day. Even small bouts of mild physical activity during the day are great for employees’ health and energy levels.
7. Cleanliness
As commercial cleaning professionals, we’ve seen the amazing difference that cleanliness can make. At the end of the day, a dusty, cluttered office won’t look as good no matter what decor or design style you choose.
What’s more, cleanliness has many of the same practical benefits as plants and natural light. An office that’s clean promotes physical and psychological health, relaxation, and productivity. Considering how many hours most of us spend at work, a great office is one where you and your employees enjoy spending time and working toward your company’s goals.
How often do offices need cleaning?
Every office should be cleaned regularly, but the frequency really depends on the size of your office and how many people work there. For larger companies, nightly cleaning is the best way to ensure the kitchen and bathroom areas stay sanitary and fresh. For smaller companies, periodic one-time visits might be a perfect solution.
Plus, while certain tasks should be done daily or nightly (like taking out the trash), jobs like carpet cleaning can often be scheduled quarterly.
At Cascade Building Services, we do it all — no matter what cleaning services you need or how often you need them. We’ve been working in the Portland area since 1961, so we’ve handled just about every type of cleaning job out there, including janitorial services, window and carpet cleaning, floor maintenance, and recycling services. Tell us how we can help!
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