Whether you’ve just moved into a brand new space or you want to spruce things up before the cold weather sets in, there are plenty of ways you can create a warm and inviting workplace. Some people spend most of their day in the workplace and with the darker mornings and evenings drawing in, there’s no better time than now to start focusing on creating a pleasant, enjoyable space for your employees.
The more comfortable your employees feel in their work environment, the more productive they’ll be. It doesn’t have to take lots of resources, money or time to create a working environment that is comfortable and inviting for current and potential employees – instead, there are lots of ways you can transform your space on a budget.
If you’re an employer looking for ways to boost morale and productivity around the office, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we take a look at how you can make a fantastic impression on newcomers and long-term employees, and create a warm and inviting workplace this winter.
Make the space look more interesting
A blank room with no colour or artwork is far from inviting – in fact, it’s just boring. It’s hard for employees to feel productive in a blank room; instead, it’s important to surround them with inspiring artwork. There are plenty of ways to do this, from custom artwork to digital wall coverings.
Use your walls to convey what your company is all about. There are plenty of different design options to choose from; invest in custom artwork designs that reflect your brand and communicate what you’re all about as a company. For example, displaying a timeline of your company and how far you’ve come as a business can inspire employees and encourage them to be part of your journey to success.
While there are no rules when it comes to the design of your office, we recommend adding a splash of colour where possible. Changing up the colours of your workspace is a budget-friendly way to make the room feel warmer and more inviting.
Organise the clutter
Working in a cluttered, messy workspace can be difficult; not only is it hard to focus when you’re distracted by piles of paperwork and junk around you, but it’s also a safety hazard too. Make the effort to keep your workplace clear of clutter. Your employees will be far more productive if they’re not surrounded by clutter and they’ll be able to work more efficiently too.
Encourage employees to tidy their desks after each day of work and organise their files before they leave for the day. Another budget-friendly way to keep on top of mess and reduce clutter is to go paperless. Instead of printing out notes, slides, documents and paperwork, email them across to employees instead. This stops pointless pieces of paper from floating around the office and taking up precious storage space.
Invest in a high-quality HVAC system
It’s important your workspace is the right temperature all year round, but it’s especially important your heating system is operating efficiently during the colder months. When it’s cold outside, it’s extremely important your employees are warm and comfortable inside. Not only is it extremely difficult to focus on work when you’re freezing cold (have you ever tried typing when your fingers feel numb?), but it’s a health hazard too. Working in a cold, damp office can put the health of your employees at risk.
Before the cold weather sets in, it’s important to make sure your heating system is up to scratch. Without the correct maintenance, you could be wasting hundreds of pounds on energy bills each year. An inefficient system could be working harder than necessary and therefore it’s best to call a professional in to inspect your system before the temperatures drop outside.
Create a tea and coffee station
There’s nothing better than a hot drink on a cold day. Set up a tea and coffee station so your employees can help themselves to hot drinks, helping to keep them feeling warm and cosy. For many people, a hot cup of coffee is an integral part of their break and a great opportunity to socialise with other colleagues.
Provide employees with an area where they can relax and socialise. Potential employees and clients will be more drawn to your business if they see that you have a close team who are friendly and sociable. Plus, encouraging your employees to gather and interact is an essential component of a productive and inviting office.
Add decorative lighting
As the days get darker, it’s important to invest in the right lighting. Lighting plays a key role in creating a cosy, warm work environment. A dark and dingy workspace isn’t a creative or productive one; in fact, without the right lighting, you may find productivity levels drop. The right lighting will brighten the space up and make employees feel better on a cold rainy day.
Office lighting doesn’t have to be boring. There are plenty of ways you can get creative with lighting and make the space look more interesting, especially in break rooms or conference rooms. Lighting is the perfect opportunity to create a more inviting and warm ambiance in the workplace.
Add plants
Nothing makes a room feel more homely than a potted plant – so why not stock up on them? There are endless benefits to introducing plants in the workplace; not only do they make the space look more homely and inviting, but they’re also good for your employees’ health too. Nature has a profound impact on our state of mind and mental health.
Adding plants and greenery to your work environment can boost productivity and help your employees focus on their work. Plants also help to reduce stress levels and keep us healthier. While humans need oxygen to survive, plants absorb carbon dioxide, helping to clean the air.
Where possible, you should also make the most of natural light. During the day, keep the office blinds open so the sun can shine in where possible. Natural light from windows can make your office feel more inviting and pleasant. If you don’t have access to window light, there are plenty of artificial options you can explore.
Mitchells: Here to Help You Manage Your Commercial Building
At Mitchell’s, we understand how important it is to ensure your commercial building is in top condition at all times. Creating a warm and inviting work environment for your employees is essential, and this means keeping on top of maintenance. We provide complete building management packages to keep your building in great condition and can assist you with virtually any building-related needs.
Whether you’re in need of plumbing repairs or your HVAC system needs servicing, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive range of services. We’ll always look for ways to make your building operate more efficiently and perform the required service and maintenance to prevent the need for costly repairs in the future.
To learn more about us and our services, visit our website today.