The functionality and appearance of your company’s office are important for several reasons. Not only does it send a strong direct message about the company itself and its values, it also influences how your workforce is going to feel about their workplace and how they are going to perform on a daily basis. But what if you don’t have to budget to overhaul the entire office? Well, there are still smaller, budget-friendly changes you can introduce that are going to have a great effect. Read on for some tips on how to renovate the exterior and interior of your office with a small budget.
The importance of exterior design
There is no doubt that the exterior is the first contact a client will have with the physical presence of your company. Therefore, you need to make sure that it appears inviting. Fixing up and repainting the exterior walls is a great start, as it’s a small investment but makes a huge difference and makes even an older building appear fresher.
At the same time, making the most of what you have space-wise is a must. If your building boasts some outdoor space, your opportunities to make it functional and every employee’s favorite spot are endless. Not even just your employees, if you can convert some of your front area to a public space, which is as simple and cheap as adding benches and tables, you can rest assured that you will encourage passers-by to take an interest in your company.
To give your outdoor space an extra flair, you should make it a point to introduce as much greenery as possible. Especially if you’re located in a concrete jungle, this greenery will provide a source of calmness to both your employees and clients. Here, learning how to get inexpensive plants and staying on the low-maintenance side is the key to keeping the project budget-friendly. For instance, making a small rock garden the centerpiece of your outdoor space is a great idea. Adding plants such as succulents or cacti to it will eliminate the need for vigorous care as these plants are very low-maintenance. Another great option is no-mow grass. These green patches will immediately liven up your outdoor space but won’t require you to pay fortunes to a gardener.
The importance of interior design
As mentioned, the interior not only speaks volumes about your company but it also largely determines how your employees will feel while working. What every office space that wants to be pleasant needs to think about are: lighting, colors and greenery.
Above all, lighting is a key element to a healthy office interior. Some buildings are blessed with more natural light, but you can compensate even if your office is lacking in this aspect. First, assess your window treatments and go for something light that won’t block out the sunlight. As for artificial lighting, you would be surprised how much swapping your light bulbs to ones that emulate natural light can change the atmosphere of your office.
Secondly, colors are an important element too as they affect our psyche even if we don’t notice. So, take this into consideration when choosing your new hue and leverage commercial painting services to give a completely new appearance to your interior. Again, this is a small investment considering the effect it has.
Finally, make sure to bring nature inside. Having plants in one’s work environment has been proven to be extremely beneficial, and if you choose your plants well, you won’t have to worry about maintenance too much. Choose large plants that cope well even in poor light, such as snake plant, dracaena and bamboo palm, place smaller, also low-maintenance plants on desks, such as Zanzibar Gem and spider plant, and adorn sunny spots on windowsills with aloe and purple shamrock for a splash of color. Plants will help lift the atmosphere but they will also clean your indoor air and look stylish.
Office renovation doesn’t have to involve major upgrades – a few calculated changes such as making the most of your outdoor space and brightening up the indoor space will immediately have a big effect.