Design and the Workplace
The goal of every home and office is to create an inviting atmosphere. This can be done in several different ways. An area’s design aesthetic can make a break the functionality of a space and can make something look modern or dated. This raises the challenge of designing a space that is functional, stylish, and can withstand the test of time.
Function
The most important goal of any space is for it to be useful and to encourage productivity. This rule applies to the office, the kitchen, the living area, and just about everywhere. A waiting room with an insufficient amount of seating is a poor design no matter how good it looks. Furthermore, an office without enough work surface area or storage space can hinder productivity because a worker must act in an inefficient way to get the job done. An interior designer can make a space look amazing but if it is not built for functionality the space can lose value and usefulness. An entire design industry exists to ensure that spaces are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, some designers and contractors specialize in turning a dated nonfunctional space into the model of design and efficiency. When it becomes time to upgrade your space, make sure you spend adequate time determining what function and purpose the space needs to serve.
Modern Needs and Expansion
The biggest challenge faced by professional and amateur designers alike is creating a space that withstands the test of time. This can be a real challenge in the professional setting because technology and advancement constantly change what the needs are. However, there are some simple rules that will help you futureproof your space. Rule one is never fill a new space to capacity. That does not mean having tons of useless nonproductive space but make sure every area has a few ways to expand or even contract based on needs. Design extra wide walkways or larger seating areas than are necessary. Areas like this can be shrunk later and still be functional to allow another area to expand. The same rule of expansion applies to power and data options. A new office should have plenty of extra data and power plug in ports available. This makes for easy adaptation of new modern electronic tools as well as expansion of workstation capacity. The challenge faced by designers when creating a space is shared by everyone. We do not know what the future holds, we are forced to make educated guesses. Whenever we decide, it is important that our choices today do not limit our options for the future.
Combining Style and Decor
Some design aesthetics face the test of time and remain stylish and modern, however not everything does. Decades ago, colorful kitchens and bathrooms were the way of the future. Today we cannot upgrade and modernize these rooms fast enough. In the commercial setting cubicles were a must for major companies years ago, then came the open concept workspace. Companies wanted less division between employees to foster collaborative work. These office design concepts are essentially complete opposite concepts. A good office design combines these two concepts. Cubical systems are still around and still are necessary, however an office can have both private workspaces and communal work areas. This allows for privacy when needed but also allows for open communication. When modernizing or building a new office you must first consider how much of each space is needed and cater the design to your specific needs.
Bold Choices
People and companies want their spaces to stand out. We want to put our own stamp in a space, and this is a good thing. However, we must be careful in how we choose to do it. When making bold design choices make sure it is something that can be changed later when our style changes. A wall is easy to paint, however purchasing a new desk because the style or color does not work is much more expensive. Small accessories can be upgraded and modernized easily. This means making a bold design choice here can cost very little. Things like carpet, tiles, and upholstery can be changed but this can be costly. If you want your space to withstand the test of time, make smart choices when buying these signature textiles. It is not bad to make bold decisions, but we should always protect ourselves from them becoming longer term regrets.
A space must be functional and stylish for us to make the most out of it. There are tons of ways to create great spaces and modernize existing ones. The modern economy provides us with endless options. Making a quality choice that withstands the test of time will always be difficult but is not impossible. If you need some advice on how to modernize your workspace, please feel free to contact us at sales@furniturewholesalers.com. We are always happy to help and provide great advice, service, and products.