Get The Most Out Of Your Office Renovations
Office renovations can be stressful and disruptive to work. Some renovations are quick and painless, but some are not. If your office is being redecorated, or you are considering doing it yourself, there are a few things you should expect.
The first step in any redecoration project is to determine why you are doing the project. People renovate for many different reasons, and your decorating choices be taken in consideration with your needs. For instance, are you buying a space that was previously used for another type of industry, such as a boutique, but you intend to turn it into a tanning salon? Do you want to create space or divide space? Is the office just old or boring looking? Updating an office space can be a great way to improve employee morale and attract more customers and clients.
Renovations can range from large projects to minor redecorations. Either way, you should expect the office interior or exterior to be painted. You may want your walls to be a different color, or just want a fresh coat of paint on the color you already have. If your interior is being painted, you will have to move all your furniture away from the walls, and out of the room completely if possible. Talk to your contractor and decide what needs to be done prior to painting.
When you are satisfied with the color of your walls, the next step is hang art. Even a freshly painted wall could look empty, especially if the wall is long or narrow. Paintings come in every size and style, so it is easy to customize an office through art. Other ways to add to your walls are to install decorative sconces and shelving. Shelves can hold books, statuettes, or any thing else you can think of.
Depending on the function of your office, you might try adding some more stylish furniture. This technique is great for offices that have a waiting room area. An overstuffed chair in a corner can really bring a room to light, and is easy combined with coffee tables or end tables for a fuller look. Buying new furniture does not have to be expensive, there are hundreds of consignment companies and second hand stores carrying quality pieces for reasonable prices.
Large, unused spaces can be filled in with any number of objects. Consider installing a fish tank in the center of a room or against a long wall. Adding something like this can be good for your employees because it gives them something to look forward to, especially if people can add a fish or name one. Another way to fill a large space is to add a table with large vase full of flowers. Fake flowers are durable, beautiful, and inexpensive.
Adding or tearing down walls can drastically change a room, and it can be messy during construction. If you are changing a room you might need to discuss the electrical needs of the room, such as the number of electrical outlets needed, the type of lighting you are going to have, and if you want a ceiling fan installed. If you do not share this information prior to the start of construction, you probably will not end up with the correct wiring for your needs. Some machinery requires larger breakers, so be sure to bring it up.
If the flooring of your office is being changed you will have to remove everything from the office, and you might not be allowed in for several days. Sealing or staining a hard floor can be very smelly and requires a minimum of several hours to dry. Laying carpeting or tile can be quicker, but carpet glue can stink for some time. Laying your new flooring on a weekend will reduce the disruption of work if your office is functional during the renovation. Most flooring companies work on the weekends, though they might charge a slightly higher rate.
What would an office be without office desks? In our office, we have three desks. Office interiors are important as they help keep you focused on your work.