In an increasingly competitive employment landscape, commercial interiors are fast becoming a crucial consideration for modern businesses that are keen to attract, inspire and retain that all-important talent. So, as companies plan for the year ahead, how can they make their offices ‘pop’ in 2018? Dale Broadhead, our very own ‘wow factor’ specialist, shares his thoughts…
Very few client-facing organisations would dream of welcoming customers into an environment that doesn’t ‘look the part’. It’s a widely-known fact that first impressions are made in as little as seven seconds, so failure to deliver the right impact could spoil a relationship before it has even begun.
Fortunately this is something many businesses now readily acknowledge. It’s why shop fit-outs are becoming more eye-catching, restaurant decor packs a punch the minute someone steps inside and hotel interiors are designed with unbelievably fine attention to detail.
Why then, when it comes to the workplace, do things fall a little flat? An organisation is nothing without its people after all. Don’t they deserve the same effort?
Thankfully, in the face of an increasingly competitive employment landscape, a number of companies are realising that more has to be done to attract talented individuals to work there. The creation of inspiring surroundings that get people talking is one way to achieve this goal, whilst keeping existing colleagues motivated and productive too!
Of course, a ‘wow factor’ will be harder – or easier – to achieve in some instances than others. A characterful converted mill is immediately more attractive than a prefabricated concrete shell, for instance – ordinarily! However, there are some clever ways to make an office ‘pop’ in 2018, and they don’t have to break the bank:
1. Start with the entrance
A lobby or reception is a space used by everyone in the building at least twice a day. So, think about the impact that could be created here, from the minute someone steps inside. Full wall coverings are becoming an increasingly popular choice for this front-of-house location, and with custom whole-wall graphics now available in sizes up to 5m high and 20m long, this single-piece solution provides a first impression with style!
The only word of warning is to not entirely neglect the rest of the interior – otherwise employees may perceive the effort as ‘just for show’.
2. Project your brand
It’s easy to be inspired by decor chosen by global brands like Facebook, but don’t get side-tracked by gimmicks such as indoor lakes, helter-skelter slides and fully-stocked arcade rooms. Design features should reflect the culture and values of the business environment they find themselves in, if they’re to have the employee impact intended.
It may therefore be more appropriate to install inspiring quotes on internal columns or suspend visually striking, brand-led displays from the ceiling, for instance. Such alternatives will catch attention, whilst demonstrating authenticity and making clever use of underutilised space.
3. Consider colour
Orbit Office and Event SpaceIf you’re going to stick to traditional painted walls, think carefully about the mood your chosen hue will set. Orange is great for high energy meetings, whilst white boosts creativity and blue instils tranquillity and trust, for example.
4. Liberate the light
Glass is a great way to let in natural light and enhance LUX levels, which are known to help maintain wellbeing and concentration. But illumination options don’t end there, or with basic spots in the ceiling. Free-standing or wall-mounted LED lightboxes can brighten up a space and incorporate eye-catching photography or brand imagery, with sleek ultra-slim options tipped to be increasingly popular in 2018.
5. Welcome ideas
Why not create an environment for staff, inspired by staff? It is proven that employees who are actively engaged with their surroundings are 15% more productive. So, as nice as it would be to have a ‘big reveal’ in 2018, there’s also reason to involve them in the office wow factor design process, before any transformation takes place.
For more information and ideas about how to make your ‘office pop’ in 2018 contact us today!
