How to Use Feng Shui in Your Office

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Is your office a place of productivity, focus, and success? Or does it feel uncomfortable, cluttered, and a source of stress? Organizing your office with some simple principles from the ancient practice of feng shui might help set you on the path to success.

An ancient Chinese practice, feng shui (fung-shway) literally translates to “wind-water” in English. Feng shui is the act of placing, arranging, and organizing a space to help harmonize positive energy and deflect negative energy. By using some simple tips and practices from the art of feng shui when setting up your workspace, you’ll be able to create a place where you’ll love to work.

Face the Door

If possible, always face the door. Turning your back to the entrance of your office means turning your back on opportunity and success. Sitting in alignment with a door or entrance can be distracting and invites negative energy from outside the office.

Place Your Desk in a Position of Power

Desk placement should be at the farthest corner, opposite the entrance or door. This will put you in a position of power and, therefore, success.

Keep Your Entryway Clean and Clear

Never allow clutter to block your entrance. The first step the outside world makes into your office is its first and most lasting impression of you.

Plan Accessories to Good Advantage

Never face a blank wall. Instead, fill the space with artwork or your favorite pictures of a cherished memory or trip. Add organic elements to your space, such as live plants, to breathe a little life into the area. Green plants bring the energy of new beginnings and wealth.

Organize and Declutter

Keep clutter to a minimum. Organize papers and file items away from sight. A clutter-free space results in a clutter-free mind.

Office Organization

#WhyWeWork—Share Your Passion. Inspire Others.

We're passionate about why we work—to help people across the United States create the beautiful office they deserve. That's why all of us at National Business Furniture are committed to helping everyone discover the passion and pure joy that comes from a job well done. See what drives these employees, and tell us why you love your job too!

How Often Should My Office Hold Fire Drills?

You probably remember participating in annual fire drills as a kid, or maybe your school had them even more often. Now that you’re an adult, do you know how to safely exit your office building if there’s a fire?

Unsurprisingly, offices don’t hold fire drills as often as schools. After all, we’re all busy working away to make money for our companies and ourselves. But the safety of working adults is important, and office fires do happen. Take the time to regularly remind your employees of what to do to ensure everyone remains safe in the event of a fire. Remember, prevention is key.

Hold Fire Drills 2 or 3 Times Annually

Considering the lives this 10-minute task could save, it’s a small thing to ask your company to do. Holding drills will ensure all your employees know what emergency alarms sound like, how they should exit the building, and where they should go once outside.

Send Regular Email Reminders

Have your HR department or managers send out a few emails per year to remind employees of what to do if a fire occurs. Although these will not be as effective as actual fire drills, they will at least pass the information along to employees who may not have been in the office during that last drill. This information will be especially useful for new employees who are unfamiliar with the building.

Assemble a Safety Committee

Your office may have a volunteer committee or a young professional committee, so why not a safety committee? These volunteers from different departments would take on the duty of organizing fire drills. This group would also determine how well a fire drill worked by timing how quickly everyone exited the building and gathered in their designated safety spot. If employees were too slow or confused this time, you might need a follow-up fire drill soon.

If you establish a volunteer safety committee, that team could also organize other safety drills, including tornado drills, earthquake drills, or any other safety precaution needed in your area.

5 Things to Consider When Outfitting Your Office with Cubicles

Looking for office cubicles? Whether you need a few workstations or to furnish an entire building, calculating what type of panel systems will fit into the area can be tricky. Fortunately, National Business Furniture offers complimentary space planning services to make your work easy. Before calling your NBF account executive, gather the following information.

1. Install Space

Although selecting workstations that fit into your office may seem easy enough, you should consider several factors when determining which panel or benching system to order, including add-ons and footprint creep. Before you call for design services, measure the entire space you intend to outfit with new workstations. Write the measurements down and obtain CAD files if possible. Providing CAD files or room measurements will allow your NBF professional space planner to accurately determine which workstations are needed and how they should be configured in your office, taking into account factors that you may not have considered.

2. Team Size and Usage

Whether you're outfitting a space for a few employees in a small office or dozens in a large open area, selecting the best desking system requires considering the everyday needs of your people. Do your employees thrive on team-based collaboration, or do they need peace and privacy to get the job done? Does your team require a lot of filing and storage space, or will simple work surfaces do just fine? Be prepared to share your team size and usage expectations on your call so that your NBF account executive can accurately determine the most efficient use of your office space.

3. Style and Colors

Whether you want to evoke a certain emotion in the workplace or stay on-brand, NBF offers hundreds of color combinations in every style you could want. Consider your style and color combination needs ahead of time to ensure a seamless and timely panel selection process that won't slow down your timeline expectations.

4. Timeline Constraints

Speaking of timelines—sooner is usually better. Whether your timeline is flexible or you need your workstations ASAP, communicate it with your NBF account executive as early as possible. They can ensure your expectations are realistic and your project can be completed when needed.

5. Budgetary Needs

Everyone deserves a beautiful office, no matter the budget. Be sure to work out your budgetary constraints before you call so that your NBF account executive can determine what furniture will be possible for your business. We'll gladly work hard to stay within your means.

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