Traditional offices are like second homes to workers, but startups are so much more! They are a place where people work together as a team to make the brand successful, which often involves plenty of communication, brainstorming, thought sharing, and close collaboration.
The pandemic has upended some of these concepts (offices are becoming less important as time goes on), but with the end in sight, it’s time to consider how to make our physical workplaces as productive and comfortable as possible while still keeping them safe. Even if implementing and enforcing COVID prevention measures is making it hard to open an office now, you can always use the time to plan for the future.
So, if you want to encourage positive behaviors and take care of the workers’ wellbeing, you must create an office that will be inspiring, chic, and safe!
Make it cozy yet durable
Many new businesses have a very limited budget, so they tend to sacrifice comfort and durability in order to save some money. However, this decision will make you spend a lot more money in the long run if you count in all the damage, repairs, design mistakes, and sick leave. For instance, cheap furniture will not only deteriorate quickly but also cause lasting damage to your workers’ health! Plus, high-quality items usually have a timeless design that will make your office chic and trendy for many years!
Provide plenty of light
In order to boost the mood and job satisfaction of your employees, make sure to provide your startup with plenty of natural light. Design your space in such a way that everyone gets a healthy amount of sunlight and shade during the day. While this may be tricky until the pandemic is dealt with, one way to do so is to opt for an open or semi-open floor plan. This way, you can reduce the number of light-blocking walls, ensure better air quality and airflow, and improve collaboration between individuals and teams!
Dazzling reception area
In order to make professional and smart first impressions on future employees, investors, clients, and partners, a
dazzling reception area should be at the top of your design list! Aim for soothing yet bold ideas that will leave a pleasant and lasting impression. Think accent walls, practical seating, and interesting gallery additions that will represent your brand and its ideas. A design like this will make visitors feel welcome, appreciated, and inspired in a formal and highly professional manner!
Inspiring break rooms
Smart startups involve practical offices but also pay attention to relaxation and the sense of community. So, make sure to design breakout areas where employees can rest, unwind, communicate, and share ideas. Consider introducing cozy furniture, and make sure the area is sufficiently spacy to accommodate social distancing guidelines. If possible, provide fun activities and stimulating games that can be enjoyed during break times. This part of a startup will bring out the best in your organization, reduce burnout, and improve teamwork!
Provide safety and security
No matter how cozy, inspiring, and chic your startup is, your workers and clients will never feel comfortable without ample security. Luckily, there are various ways to ensure the safety of your employees, clients, property, and information in your office! Investing in on-site alarms, cameras, and physical security is a good start, but it’s far from enough.
Your workers also need to know their livelihoods and the very future of the business are protected, and the best way to do it is to protect your data and systems from breaches. The digital age necessitates the use of
sophisticated computer network security systems that can protect your company from malware attacks and unauthorized access.
Finally, implement and enforce pandemic prevention measures in the workplace. They can be a chore and unpleasant but keeping your workers safe is paramount. Provide masks for people who forgot to bring them (it might be a good idea to create branded ones with your company’s logo or in your colors), ensure there’s always enough disinfectant, and mind the spacing between desks.
Consider your location
Another safety point you should consider when opening up a startup is the location. It’s always a good idea to check out the area, investigate its crime rates, and ensure it has good law enforcement activity. All of these can make your startup safer and more attractive to employees, clients, and investors!
Invest in green design
If you want to have a modern and chic startup, you simply must follow
green design trends. Sustainability is one of the fastest-growing trends; every new business should follow if they want to attract young professionals. So, try to organize and equip your office with energy-saving electronics, green walls, sturdy furniture, and repurposed items. This will not only show your startup is eco-conscious but also trendy and caring!
Think about wellbeing
Young people take care of their health and wellbeing more than any generation before. So, in order to make them feel comfortable in their workspace, ensure they have access to
areas and items that will have a positive impact on their health. In addition to making sure pandemic safety procedures are implemented, you need to focus on truly caring for your workers. Equip your startup with ample ventilation, plenty of greenery, healthy food and drink options, and stress-reducing elements. These additions will not only improve work satisfaction but also reduce sick days and boost productivity!
It’s always the employees who make a startup successful. Consider your budget and means and start planning your future office. So you must provide them with a space that will boost job satisfaction, make them feel safe, encourage productivity, and promote collaboration and creativity. You might not be able to start one now, so use the current situation to make sure you get every detail right. It will be worth it in the long run.
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