When you are designing a workspace for employees that spend all day at their desk, you need to make sure that it not only provides them with all the facilities that they need to do their job efficiently, but also that it provides them with an environment in which they feel comfortable and are able to be productive. In addition to these basic requirements, you should think about how the design of your office will affect your corporate image; something that can be very important when entertaining clients at your headquarters.
Where to start?
The first thing you should consider is the existing image that your company projects and whether it is one with which you are happy. If it is, you will obviously want to choose a workspace theme that reflects this image. On the other hand, if you feel that it would be profitable to rebrand your firm, it is a good idea to consult with marketing experts first and establish what your new image will be before you start work on a new interior design.
Some points to consider
- Whatever theme you choose has to be practical. If you are running a fashion house and would like to impress visiting clients with bold colours and striking designs, it is best to limit these to the reception area and any other common areas in your building. Very bright colours and bold patterns could make it difficult for your employees to concentrate on their day-to-day tasks so it would be a bad idea to incorporate them into the design of the offices that they occupy.
- What you think your company represents and what your clients think may be two completely different things so it is well worth surveying a few trusted customers before you embark on a major office refurbishment project. If your existing clients deal with you because they feel that your company has an air of solidity and respectability that reassures them of your honesty and integrity, an avant-garde, modern theme may be the wrong choice. On the other hand, if they value the ability of your company to innovate and stay ahead of the competition, oak panelling and mahogany desks would most likely be inappropriate. Try to choose a theme that complements the best aspects of your business.
- How long will it take? A complete renovation, including major structural alterations, may be desirable in some cases but you should think about the disruption it will cause to your business before you decide to go down this route. If the design that you have in mind could cause a lot of problems whilst the necessary work is being carried out, it might be worth reconsidering and choosing a less disruptive option instead. A great theme will do little for your business if all your clients start using another supplier because they cannot rely on your services during the renovation period.
- Will it stand the test of time? Although there is nothing to stop you redesigning your offices more than once, it is not something that you will want to do every couple of years. For this reason, it is a good idea to think about not just how your company wishes to be perceived now but also how it would like to be perceived in the future and to select an interior design theme that is appropriate for both images. A design that can be slightly modified with ease is worth considering if you are involved in an industry where innovation is key and new developments are always on the horizon. Minor changes can often have a surprisingly big effect on office interiors.
Saracen Interiors offers a comprehensive range of office refurbishment and design services to customers in the United Kingdom. Visit their website at www.saracenoffice.com for more details.
