HR & Staffing

6 Great Ideas to Create an Inviting Office Space

Written by Jasmine Anderson

Every small business owner knows that they need to invest in office equipment for their employees. In order to inspire creativity and productivity, an office should be both functional and aesthetic. Your employees aren’t the only people that you need to keep in mind. A welcoming office space will help you to attract potential partners and clients and help ensure that existing clients return. Keep reading to learn about some easy ways to improve your office space and make it more inviting.

Introduce an interactive conference room

Traditional conference rooms rarely look welcoming. They can even look dull and boring. So, to inspire both your employees and clients, you should think about introducing an interactive conference room. For example, if your company does a lot of brainstorming, you can install plexiglass or whiteboards on the walls where employees can write down their ideas. You can also include an interactive whiteboard that connects a projector to a tablet or computer. This will allow everyone at your meeting to participate.

Bring in plenty of natural light

Although some offices simply don’t have the option, do your best to allow as much natural light as possible. Being exposed to sunlight has many benefits. It can boost your mood and improve your productivity. To make your workplace more inviting, maximise natural light by using sheer curtains or blinds. While ditching the curtains altogether is an option, your employees might be faced with too much glare on their computer screens. You can also install a few mirrors to bounce light around the room.

Be smart with artificial light

Even if you do everything in your power to maximise natural light in your office, you will still need some artificial lighting. Avoid garish fluorescent bulbs that make the space look overly bright. Instead, opt for LED bulbs that mimic natural light and emit a soft glow. This will help create a productive and inspiring atmosphere for your employees. For best results, use ambient overhead fixtures and complement them with pendant lights and table lamps.

Combine different types of flooring

To create a more inviting space, you can also use a variety of flooring materials, budget permitting. The right flooring will make your space more attractive and can help you define certain areas. For example, placing a welcome mat in front of the office door will prepare your visitors for what they can expect. You can put your logo on the mat and customise it at a reliable mat shop. Hardwood floors are the best option for areas that see a lot of traffic, like the reception. Finally, add area rugs to spaces that need a comfortable touch, such as the conference room or the break room.

Use colour to brighten up your space

As well as making the office seem warmer, you should also make it bright and airy. Colours are a great way to make both of these things happen. You can look into colour psychology to better understand the effect that colour can have on us but the most important thing you need to know is that it can boost our mood, increase our creativity, and make us feel more relaxed. From the walls to the furniture all the way to décor and accessories, there is a wide variety of ways you can introduce shades that best suit your line of work. For instance, yellow, orange, and purple are great for creative work while blues and greens might work better for analytical work.

Add plenty of greenery

You should not overlook the impact that nature can have on creating a welcoming space. For that reason and many other health benefits, you should add as much greenery as you can to your workplace. Luckily, there are so many plants for you to choose from, from low-light to full-sun options. Conveniently, some plants don’t require a lot of water so they can survive with minimal attention. You can give every employee a plant for their desk, or place a few plants strategically around the office.

Finally, you have to keep your office clean. The tips listed in their article will only work if you dedicate time to decluttering and maintaining the tidiness of your office. With that in mind, try these tips when creating an office that is inviting to both employees and visitors.

“The opinions expressed by BizWitty Contributors are their own, not those of BizCover and should not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice. Please read our full disclaimer."

About the author

Jasmine Anderson

Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom, with a Fine Arts Bachelor’s degree. Expressing herself through different mediums is what keeps her spirit bright. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet.