The Importance of Office Decor

We spend a lot of time working and as a result we spend a lot of time in our offices.  An office, either home or commercial, should be comfortable.  We need to be relaxed and efficient to ensure we get all of our work done.  So what can we do to make our workplace feel more relaxing?  Do we need better furniture, do we need better décor, or do we need a complete overhaul?  The only person who can accurately answer these questions is you.

Furniture

Having the right office furniture is essential to having a productive workplace.  A simple desk is not always the answer.  The first question you need to ask yourself is how much work surface do you need.  Some people only need space for a computer while others need large work surfaces for drawings and diagrams.  Your individual profession will determine what you really need.  This is the first question you need to ask yourself when picking a desk.  For some, a single desk might not be enough.  A credenza or secondary work table might also be called for.  The second question that you need to ask yourself is how much storage and what type of store is needed? Like with desks, some people need only a small amount of drawer space while others might need a lot.  Professions that require a lot of paper work might also need extra storage pieces like book shelves and lateral files.  It is true that these pieces can be purchased later but the longer you wait from the time of purchase of your desk the harder it may become to find an exact match.  Finally, and most importantly, we must look at chairs.  You will be spending a lot of hours at your desk and sitting comfortably is important.  So make sure you get a chair that is up to the task. Buying a cheap discount chair will cost you more in the long run.  These can lead to back pain and a number of other issues.  So do it right from the start and buy a quality chair, your body will thank you.

So what is the best way to furnish your office?  You can upgrade each piece individually over time.  If you have to stick to a budget this might be your only option.  If you take this route it is important to buy from major manufactures whose product line will be around for a while.  Buying discounted products and items made for one time imports will be difficult to match in the future.  The other option is a complete remodel.  This would involve measuring your work space and determining all of the furniture pieces you want and what will fit in the space.  Once you do this you can order everything at once and do a complete upgrade.  This is more expensive, which is why you might hesitate to do this, but if you can swing the funds this method would yield the best result.  In reality it does not matter how you upgrade your office, what matters is you do it to ensure your comfort at work.

Décor

Furniture is a crucial element of any office but it is only one piece of the puzzle.  Your work space should be aesthetically pleasing as well.  You do not want to walk into your office every day and feel like you are walking into a dreary environment.  Decoration and color is key to any office and can completely change the look of an area.  You need to start with the basics on this front.  Look at your walls and floors.  Is the color dated, is the flooring worn out, does the room feel old?  If you answered yes to these questions then you have a problem and some of these issues can be easily fixed.  Painting the walls can typically be done quickly and for a fair price and this can make a huge difference.  A new coat of paint can make a dreary old space feel new and exciting again.  The same can be done for the floors.  It is true that some flooring can be difficult and expensive to change but you can always take the simple route and get a rug.  A decorative rug can also change the feel of any room and can cover up worn floors for a fraction of the price of redoing the flooring of a whole area. 

Basic changes to floors and walls can make a huge impact in any room but so can accessories.  Artwork and well place certifications and framed degrees can make an office feel more comfortable and inviting.  You can even theme an office based on personal preference.  If you are into cars add a few car photos and even a few models.  This is only one example of a theme you can pursue.  Just pick something that makes you smile and decorate your work area around these things.  This way when your day seems long and you need a quick minute you can simply look around and get the joy out of your surroundings.  Finally do not be afraid to personalize the space.  Put up photos of family members and loved ones.   These photos can be the most important thing.  When your day seems long and difficult you can simply look up and remember what you are working for.

Your office is your second home.  It is where you go to provide for yourself and your family.  It is important you are comfortable while you are there and it is never too late to make changes.  So take a few minutes and look around and see what upgrades you need to make.  A simple change can completely alter your mood during the work day.   Thinking about it and looking at prices for upgrades only costs you time and can make all the difference.