Does your current office space feel cramped or outdated? If so, a renovation might give it a new lease on life. This may entail investing in contemporary and modern furniture or fixtures, repainting the walls, or reorganizing the office layout – whatever tickles your fancy.
South Coast Office Supply’s product offering can meet your business needs. For starters, their high end commercial use furniture helps create a comfortable, efficient work environment for even the smallest offices. But how can you ensure your efforts bear fruit? Well, the tips below can help you renovate your small office.
1. Create a Budget
Have a budget in place, and let your contractor know about it. This way, you can stay within it and still get the best out of your renovation efforts. A budget is also critical if you have competing priorities, such as purchasing new furniture and repainting your office.
While budgeting, set aside a few extra funds for unexpected expenses that might arise. And when selecting furniture, work with reliable companies such as South Coast Office Supply to ensure you get top-quality products at an affordable price.
2. Seek Input from Employees
Is there a point in designing a space without getting input from the people who’ll mostly use the space? Of course not. Therefore, get your employees’ opinions on office design and task areas. Ask them about aspects like color schemes and furniture layout. This can help you create a thoughtfully designed, efficient, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space.
A heads up: seek input from your employees early in the process. This can help you avoid time-consuming changes once you start renovating the space. Besides, employees can provide invaluable insights on how to maximize available space.
3. Work with the Right Contractor
The contractor you choose to renovate your office will determine the project’s results. Therefore, pick a reliable and experienced contractor. Start by researching and asking for recommendations from friends or fellow professionals.
After that, review the contractor’s portfolio to check their past projects. Also, get quotes from different contractors and compare them to find an estimate within your budget.
4. Have the Future in Mind
It’s easy to think of the present when renovating a small office. However, it’s better to consider future growth by leaving room for expansion.
This could mean incorporating extra space for another desk or storage and organizing the office layout so you can easily make changes. For instance, if you plan to branch into other divisions, go for a layout you can easily tweak or adjust to accommodate new team members.
5. Abide by the Rules
Renovation projects typically require permits before you start the work. Therefore, obtain the necessary permits from your local government. If your business is in a shared building or complex, the restrictions in place may limit the changes you can make.
Also, remember that your application may take some time to get approved, so plan and account for this factor during the renovation process. Even so, your contractor can help fast-track the process by taking care of the paperwork while staying within the legal framework.
6. Prioritize Functionality
Function should come first when you don’t have much space to work with. For instance, ease of movement, storage, and comfort should take center stage when furnishing a small office. To do this, identify the tasks you plan to take on in the office before selecting furniture to accommodate the said assignments.
7. Maximize Natural Lighting
Without question, natural lighting plays a vital role in revitalizing a small office. To this end, keep the curtains drawn open to allow natural light into the room and use lighter shades on the walls to reflect the light. Consider a skylight or artificial lighting options if your office has small windows, such as motion sensors and dimmers.
Similarly, use large mirrors in the office to reflect light around the room. Also, consider adding reflective surfaces, such as gloss or metallic wall finishes, to enhance illumination.
Renovating a small office space can be stressful and tedious. Nevertheless, these tips can help take the guesswork and hassle out of the process. Ultimately, a well-thought-out design will help you create an efficient, warm, and inviting workspace for your employees. And while at it, remember to invest in quality furniture from a reputable supplier.