Office Design for Startups
Launching your startup may be one of your most difficult ventures. There are so many things to consider when getting ready to open for business, and selecting the right office furniture is not usually high on what is probably a very long to-do list. Many startups begin by offering their employees folding chairs to sit in, shabby tables to work on, and little to no décor to look at. Of course, this lack of style and function is always due to a lack of money.
Startups rarely have the extra cash to spring for genuine leather office chairs, wood veneer executive desks, or one-of-a-kind artwork. But what happens when you need to impress business investors? When you want to attract new employees to work for your company? When you have clients come in for a meeting? Your office design can make more of a difference than you think.
Make It Yours
Branding is hugely important for the success of any business, and branding your office to fit with your identity will help inspire employees and impress investors and customers. There are plenty of ways to bring branding into your workplace, and it doesn’t have to be an expensive process. Some of the most affordable ways to reel in your identity are to paint the walls your brand colors, purchase some coffee mugs with your logo for your employees, and buy office furniture in a style that matches your business goals. If you’re starting a new attorney’s office, you may want desks and bookcases with a traditional look. If you’re starting a trendy marketing firm, you may choose something more modern. Take the identity you want people to associate with your brand and incorporate it into every aspect of your office design.
Make It Functional
What makes furniture functional varies greatly from one company to the next because every business operates a little differently. If you and your employees work in an environment that requires constant collaboration between coworkers, you may want to consider creating an open-office floor plan that facilitates open communication without the barriers that cubicle walls put up. However, if your business is in an industry requiring quiet concentration, you may want to add more private offices to the area. For most companies, a mix of openness and privacy is best.
Also consider the versatility of your office furniture. Adding mobile filing cabinets with padded tops that can be used as both storage and chairs is a great way to save space and cash in a startup office. Desks with built-in storage often take up less floor space than a table desk that needs an additional cabinet added to the workspace. Selecting furniture that serves multiple purposes is a great way to save room in a small area and a great way to save money.
Make It Comfortable
If your employees can’t stay comfortable at work, they aren’t likely to be very productive or even stay with your company for long. Although metal folding chairs may be the most economical choice, they won’t be good for your business in the long run. Instead, equip your workstations with affordable ergonomic chairs, pull-out keyboard trays, adjustable-height monitor stands, and anything else that will make your employees’ 8-hour day more enjoyable.
Along with the right furniture, make an effort to allow employees to take a break now and then. We know you’ve got a lot of work to get done, but a short walk or breath of fresh air allows employees to return from their mental break with a renewed sense of creativity and eagerness to get the job done.
Make It Fun
Last but not least, take measures to make your new business a fun place to be for employees, investors, clients, and yourself. No one wants to come to work every day only to sit at his or her computer without any human interaction or anything to look at other than black text on a white screen. Adding pops of color to your office and allowing employees to decorate their desks with family photos and memorabilia will give them the little boost of inspiration they need to be effective workers.
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