For many small business owners, a brick-and-mortar location for their office is highly sought after. However, once they’re moved into the space, revamps and remodels are often pushed back because of budgetary constraints.
Whether you’re in the process of locking down a spot, or simply considering the transition, sprucing up your workplace and making it yours is very important. Although it can be an expensive ordeal, there are many ways to cut costs, and here’s how:
Buy Used
Stocking an office with tables, chairs, desks and other furnishings can run up a bill really quick. Fortunately, for small businesses still trying to get on their feet financially, a lot of these products can be bought used,
Many people think that buying used goods sacrifices quality, but this isn’t always the case. There are definitely items that are in better condition than others, but if shop around a little bit, you can get high-quality products for a fraction of the price.
Although it’s a cost-effective alternative, don’t treat buying used as a way to skimp your employees. Busting your budget on high-end products is usually unnecessary, but providing your workforce with subpar stuff will be even more damaging in the long run. Always give them the best-of-the-best, but keep it within your means.
Décor
Decor is an important part of any office. It’s a way to stimulate creativity at work, it provides the occasional, inspirational distraction and it gives your workplace character. If you’re worried about overstepping your budget, have no fear, turning your office from drab to fab doesn’t have to break the bank.
A cheap way to introduce some artwork in the workplace is by encouraging your employees to bring pictures, stickers and other trinkets from home. This will not only give them an opportunity to personalize their work area, but also give everyone at work something interesting to look at.
The best part about décor is that it can be used to revitalize boring parts of the workplace. If possible, hang artwork in bathroom stalls and on blank walls throughout the office. It may seem a little awkward at first, but having visual stimuli in these drab areas will prove inspiring for your workforce over time.
Color
Incorporating different color schemes in your office can have an immensely positive effect on your workforce if done properly. Many studies have been done on how colors affect people in an office setting, and more often than not, they increased productivity, bettered the overall mood and helped alleviate stress.
However, different colors can arouse different emotions in people, and if you choose poorly, you can make the office an even more stressful place. If you’re trying to create a chill atmosphere at work, use lots of blues and greens to settle people’s moods. But, if you’re looking to energize your team, reds are the way to go.
At the end of the day, revamping your office doesn’t have to be a costly venture. If you find some corners to cut, and employ some do-it-yourself tactics, you can create a workplace that’s not only productive, but also fun to be a part of.
