The Covid pandemic created a situation where businesses had no choice but to let employees work remotely or face shutting down. With the existential threat of Covid at least partially resolved, companies started talking about a mandatory return to office policies.

This met with a resounding backlash; around 64 percent of employees would consider quitting. The tenuous compromise is a hybrid model.

With part-time remote work becoming the new norm, employees must consider their remote work options in a post-Covid world. Keep reading for some of your options.

Full-Time Remote

While some people crave the social aspects of the office, many people discovered that they prefer remote work. It spares them a commute, which can mean a lot for employee happiness among those living and working in major cities.

Just as importantly, some companies read the signs and now offer fully remote positions in addition to their hybrid and in-office positions. This gives you options for where and how you work best.

Hybrid

If you’re in that group of people who miss the social aspects of working the in office, a hybrid position offers you the best of both worlds. In some respects, it’s also a smart employee decision.

You can leverage the best benefits of having face time in the office, such as mentorship and collaboration opportunities. You can also retain some of the flexibility in your personal life that most people seem to value about remote work.

The only real pitfall is that businesses are still working out just what hybrid means. There is no consensus yet on how many days per week hybrid employees must come in. It’s also unclear who should decide which days hybrid employees come in.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

Even over two years in, a lot of people lack a permanent home office setup. If you plan on working remotely for the rest of your career, You don’t necessarily need a completely separate room. You do need a permanent work area.

The best home office contains some essentials, like a desk and office chair. If you want to incorporate some health benefits, you can go in for a standing desk. 

You’ll also need:

• High-speed Internet
• Desktop or high-end notebook computer
• Webcam
• Microphone or earbuds with a mic

There are countless other office accessories that make life easier, but the list above meets most, if not all, of your remote working needs.

Remote Work Options and You

Moving forward, you will have two main remote work options: full-time remote and hybrid. Those who discovered they liked their jobs and despised the office will opt for full-time remote positions. People who missed the social and career-boosting elements of the office will opt for hybrid positions.

In both cases, however, you need a good home office setup to keep up with your work responsibilities.

Workspace Solutions specializes in furnishing office spaces. If you need help with your home office and or creating a hybrid office setup, contact Workspace Solutions today.

Need a change? While it’s a simpler task to select paint colors for your home based on your personal preferences, it’s a little harder to select colors that will work well for your office.

The right office paint colors can relax you, brighten up a space, or induce stress. It could affect your employees’ productivity.

So, what are the right office colors to create a calming workplace? Read on to learn about 5 calming colors that will improve workplace productivity.

1. Blue

Blue is one of the best colors for offices.

People unconsciously perceive the blue color as calming and relaxing. Painting your office spaces blue will make your employees feel calm and less anxious.

Furthermore, the color can soothe employees and reduce stress while encouraging them to be more productive. Blue is one of the most used workplace colors.

2. Green

Green is also perfect for any office environment. The color green provides needed balance.

Furthermore, green has proven to be the best color choice for office employees working long hours. It is indeed a top-priority color commonly found in medical offices.

3. Purple

Purple is often associated with luxury or magical connotations.

Creative industries such as design studios often use purple to encourage creativity and teamwork. While you may not want to paint your entire office in purple, it’s a great color for accent walls and decor to help boost productivity.

4. Brown

The color brown color feels powerful in office spaces. It blends well with wood office furniture colors and gives you a pleasant warmth. It is also similar to the blue color in that it is naturally soothing.

Applying brown in your office space will give your employees a sense of security, credibility, and reassurance. These senses can empower people to be more productive.

5. Orange

You may not think of the color orange as a calming color. But it can be both calming or energizing depending on how it’s used. 

The color is associated with warmth, power, and tolerance. However, because it is also an energizing color, use it sparingly and as a complement to another calming color to prevent increased energy and decreased productivity.

Get a Designer to Help You Choose the Best Office Colors Today

The choice of your office colors is not just for aesthetics. In fact, colors can affect workers’ moods and motivation. Colors can also help your employees to be more productive.

At Workspace Solutions, our designers can help you choose the best office colors for walls and furniture to create a calming, productive workplace that is tailored to reflect your brand.

Call us today to find out how we can assist you in finding the best solution for your space.

Are you unhappy with your current office setup? Is your space hindering your productivity? A new solution to your problem is on the horizon. Many people around the world are using smart technology in their homes. But have you ever heard of a smart office?  

Smart offices are a great solution to the challenge of modernizing your office whether you work in an office setting or at home. They are the future of modern workspaces.

What Is a Smart Office?

A smart office is a modern office that uses technology to aid employees in working more efficiently. Smart offices use the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to streamline every aspect of the workday.

Keep reading for some examples of IoT which would be implemented in your smart office. 

1. Smart Lighting

Smart lighting is lighting that can be controlled via the internet. Smart lighting allows you to turn lights on and off, dim them, and even change the color of the lights, all from the convenience of your smartphone or computer. 

Smart lighting, as well as smart climate control (which we’ll get into) also monitors energy usage. Going “green” is crucial to the sustainability of our culture and smart energy is a great way to do that.

2. Climate Control

Similar to smart lighting, smart climate control allows you to control the heat and air conditioning from your phone or computer. Rather than go to the trouble of installing thermostats in every room of your office, you can now do it all on one streamlined system.

Just like smart lighting, smart climate control makes tracking your energy usage easy. This is important to both saving money and the environment. 

3. Collaboration & Productivity

Technology that allows team members to easily collaborate is a must-have, especially in today’s work environment when employees may be working remotely. 

Tools like Slack and Asana allow team members to manage projects and tasks and keep track of what needs done as well as deadlines. 

Zoom, WebEx, and Go To Meeting are online conferencing tools that allow employees to meet, share screens, and share files. 

4. Video Monitoring

In 2021, there were over 10,000 cases of theft in the U.S. Now more than ever it is crucial to have video monitoring in your smart office. With video monitoring, you can get an alert on your phone every time someone comes in and out of the office. This is especially helpful after hours. And, if anything does come up missing, you’re able to look back at the feed to see who was in the office at the time.

Start Designing Your Smart Office

Now that you know all about designing your smart office, you can start doing it today! Smart offices are a great investment toward modernizing your office space, whether it be in a traditional office space or at home. 

Did you know that almost all adults in a 2020 survey pinpointed that they are frustrated by waiting room times? Whether you are waiting for a dentist appointment or a job interview, it can be exasperating watching the minutes tick by before your appointment.

If you own a business, you should strive to make your waiting room hospitable and comfortable for visitors. Here are some key things to try so that you can get better reviews and people will feel less stressed in the waiting room.

Comfortable Seating

The last thing you want is for people to be uncomfortable while they wait. This is why waiting room chairs and other waiting room furniture must be inviting and allow visitors to rest and relax before their appointment.

When thinking about seating, make sure that you consider size inclusivity. Try to find waiting room furniture that can accommodate a variety of body types. You should also ensure that people with disabilities have accessibility as well.

Offer Some Refreshments

If your customers will be waiting for a longer amount of time, provide refreshments. One popular option is a single-serving coffee machine, such as a Keurig or a Nespresso.

These come in a variety of different flavors, and even non-coffee drinks such as hot chocolate. You can also include little individually wrapped snacks like cookies and candy in a variety of types.

Entertainment for All Ages

Although many people have smartphones and tablets to keep them entertained, there is still value in keeping magazines in your waiting room. This may entice people to put down the screen and read while they sit before their appointment.

You can also include television with streaming services on it. A smart television with a remote can allow people to choose what they want to watch. Many streaming services have content blockers so you do not have to worry about a customer streaming something inappropriate while there are children around.

Educate Your Customers

When you are sitting in a waiting room, you probably look around and observe your surroundings. This is why one of the best waiting room design ideas is to include posters and pamphlets with valuable educational content.

For instance, if you are a dentist, you can place posters about the benefits of regular cleaning and pamphlets about procedures such as dentures and root canals. A good strategy is to ensure that these blend in with your other decorations.

Bring Your Waiting Room to the Next Level

If you want to spruce up your waiting room, you should not have to take a lot of time and effort to do so. With these tips, you can ensure that your waiting room furniture and atmosphere are comfortable and inviting for everyone.

Would you like to learn more about waiting room design ideas and how you can improve your company? Check out our blog for more tips and tricks.

Even though offices are opened once again for in-office work, 61% of employees working from home are now working remotely because they choose to.

Need to spruce up your work-from-home office space to make it more modern? With the right home office design in mind, you can create a home workspace that boosts productivity levels and keeps your mind and body healthy. Continue reading below to learn how to do just that!

1. Desk With File Storage

When designing a home office space, you most likely don’t have as much room to work with. Using multi-purpose furniture pieces is ideal to create a workspace you can live in. A space-saving desk with file storage incorporated into the design is beneficial because you won’t have to worry about purchasing a file storage cabinet and finding a place for it.  

2. Ergonomic Office Chair

Speaking of ergonomic furniture, you’ll want to include an ergonomic chair as well. Ergonomic furniture is created with your physical health in mind. It ensures proper posture from the way you sit to the way your neck is supported. 

When you use ergonomic furniture, you’ll find yourself being able to work more hours and stay productive. There won’t be as many stiff necks or sore backs. The right office chair for your home office should provide both back and neck support and should have an adjustable height. 

When testing out office chairs, sit in it and make sure that your feet land firmly on the ground with your knees at a right angle. Consider using a padded floor mat for your feet as well for some added cushion. 

3. Biophilic Design

We talked about purchasing ergonomic furniture for your physical health, but don’t forget about your mental health too! When you incorporate natural elements and materials into your home office space, you create a biophilic design. This type of design focuses on all those natural elements that can make an office space ideal for good mental health. To bring a piece of the outdoors into your office, you can include live plants, wood materials, and water elements. 

Once you do so, you’ll notice a decrease in stress, an increase in focus, and a boost in creativity. 

4. Standing Desk

We all know how draining it can be to sit down at a desk in front of a computer screen for several hours a day. It’s never a bad idea to switch things up from time to time. This is good for both your mental and physical health! Include a standing desk area in your home office that allows you to easily witch between sitting and standing throughout the day to help keep your body moving. 

Which Home Office Idea Do You Like Best?

Designing the ideal home workspace will take a bit of time and patience. Try out a few different design ideas until you find the home office idea you like best. The ideal home office space will offer comfort, improve mental health and productivity, and keep your physical health a priority as well.

Are you looking for new furniture to add to your home office? Browse through a few pieces we have available today!

Is your boring office sucking the life out of you quicker than the prospect of a four-hour meeting? Your office decor is one of the main things that can affect your energy levels, motivation, and happiness at work. But, you’re not being paid to decorate, so when are you meant to find the time to make sure your offices are the productivity haven they should be? Well, there are some sure-fire ways you can convert your office vibe overnight. 

Read on for some office decor ideas that can convert your office vibe overnight.

Modernize

The first thing to do is take a look at your office as if you’re seeing it for the first time: is it shabby and outdated? If so, get rid of any out-of-date items and replace them with more modern versions. 

Next, add a little life to the office with some office plants. Plants are one of the best and easiest things you can do to improve your office atmosphere. In addition to making the office space more attractive, they also help to reduce stress, increase productivity, and purify the air.

When modernizing your office, it’s time to say goodbye to those boring beige walls and bring in some more vibrant colors. Office workers place a high value on forward-thinking, out-of-the-box office designs so show a little design prowess with an accent wall in one of your branding colors or a color to stimulate creativity and productivity.

Up to 80% of office workers believe the colors around them affect their mood. Decide what mood you’d like to create in your office, then grab a paintbrush and paint away the office blahs. 

 such as ergonomic chairs or standing desks to keep your team healthy and happy. 

Stylish Filing Solutions

There’s nothing worse than a cluttered office, so it’s time to upgrade to some filing cabinets to be proud of. 

Clever space-saving solutions are the first step to encouraging organization and productivity. Gone are the days of large metal filing cabinets. Today, there are many storage solutions in different sizes, materials, colors, and styles to suit every type of office.

Upgrade Your Furniture 

While you’re updating your office decor, be sure to also invest in modernized health and safety solutions. Office workers have complained about the state of their office chairs since the beginning of time. So, don’t be yet another employer that doesn’t prioritize their employee’s health. 

Instead, invest in ergonomic office chairs, standing desks or sit-to-stand desks, and couches that will help your employees maintain good posture and stay healthy. 

Don’t Go it Alone

If your still feeling a little overwhelmed or need a little more work than you can handle,  hire someone to help with professional office design. 

Office designers can help you create a more modern office and make the most of your space. They’ll guide you through choosing new office furniture, colors, and creating functional spaces. They can even work with your building architects if you’re adding on.  Talk to an office designer to get a taste of what’s possible. 

Prioritize Your Office Decor Today 

So that’s a brief guide to improving your office decor. Whether it’s for your personal office or your whole staff, these decor ideas are sure to bring new energy to any work space. 

If you’re ready to feel happy, motivated, and inspired at work, it’s time to prioritize your office! Both you and your employees will be thankful for an office revamp and reap the benefits of a refreshed working environment. 

Shop with us today for all the office solutions you need. 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only 4.1 percent of the US labor force worked from home. At the height of the pandemic, this figure rose to 69 percent.

While a lot of these workers have now gone back to the office full-time, there are many others still working from home and adapting to the challenges this presents. One of which is separating your work life from your personal life when your kitchen table is also your desk!

Here are some ways to help you find balance when working from home.

Set a Schedule

Even if you’re a freelancer or your employer doesn’t follow a rigid timetable, sticking to a regular schedule can help reduce your stress levels and increase productivity. This also means making sure to log off and avoid work emails once your shift is over to avoid blurring the lines between your work and home life.

Design a Dedicated Workspace

Creating the right work environment is key to a productive day of telecommuting. Even if you’re not able to set up a home office in your spare room, try to avoid working from a shared area such as the kitchen table as this can lead to discord in your home environment.

Instead, carve out a dedicated office space complete with a desk, chair, and other accessories in a guest room or the corner of your living room. This is often enough to create the feel of an office setup and help you get into the right mindset for a day of work.

Take Regular Breaks

While the nature of remote working makes it easier to move from task to task without interruption, this means that remote workers often forget to take breaks as they would in an office environment. Taking regular breaks from work helps improve concentration, increase productivity, and boost mood so it’s essential that you factor them into your schedule.

Chat With Colleagues

Missing those chats you and your work buddies used to have around the water cooler? Why not recreate them from home?! Schedule 10 minutes per day to connect with your co-workers via Slack or Zoom about non-work related topics. As well as giving your brain a break, these conversations are vital for building relationships and boosting your morale.

Get Outside

A two-second commute from your bed to your desk is a big advantage of working from home. But it’s all too easy to go entire days without stepping foot outside when you work and live in the same space.

Make sure to include time for activities in the fresh air, whether that means strolling around the yard while you’re on a conference call or heading out to a local park to eat your lunch. Even better, finishing your day with a quick workout or a coffee with a friend is the perfect way to disconnect from work after sitting alone in your home office all day.

Achieving Balance When Working From Home

It can be hard to separate your work and home life when your home also has to double up as your office.

But, with these tips to guide you, it should now be a lot easier to achieve balance when working from home. Especially if you set yourself up for success with the right tools and equipment!

For more information or recommendations about home office design, feel free to get in touch with us at Workspace Solutions today!

A good office is like a well-functioning machine. There are lots of different components, but they all work together in tandem to serve a purpose. Employees, management, equipment – the list goes on.

And if the office is the machine, then an office filing system is the fuel. You need it in order to properly function.

So, what happens when there’s no fuel? Your machine doesn’t run!

If you want to improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace, you’re going to need an effective office filing system. You can have the best, most qualified workers, or the most cutting-edge technology, but disorganized office files can stop productivity in its tracks.

Don’t be intimidated! Here are some tips to help you out. Read on to learn how to organize your office filing system!

1. Use a Clear & Consistent Naming Method

When learning how to organize an office filing system, the first step is to consider your file and folder names. You don’t want to have to sort through every single document in the office before you find what you’re looking for.

The name of the file alone should be enough to tell you if it’s the one you need. Keep it simple, but informative. Consider using abbreviation methods and including the date in the file name for easier organization and better clarity.

2. Dispose of Unnecessary Files

There’s no point in holding onto files you don’t need, and yet it’s extremely common in offices! Clutter can easily build up over time, taking up space and adding to the disarray of your office filing system.

It’s a good idea to schedule a time to go through old files. You might start with choosing one day every month to sort through all your documents and recycle and/or shred ones that you no longer need.

3. Avoid Overfilling

Another great way to declutter your files is to break down your folders into subfolders! If you have certain folders that are filled to the brim, consider creating subcategories to split up the documents. This organization within organization can bring order to the chaos.

4. Establish an Active File System

Active file systems are areas for files that you use and refer to regularly. This could also include actionable or time sensitive items. You can improve your office filing system organization by placing active files in an easily-accessible area so that you don’t have to dig through the system every time you need them!

5. Follow a Consistent File Order

Organizing office files can take many different forms. Categorical, alphabetical, chronological – the list goes on. Color-coding files is also a tried and true method that can help you find what you need from a single glance.

You could even use multiple methods in subfolders. For example, if you organize your main folders by category, you can organize the items in each category alphabetically.

6. Digitize, Digitize, Digitize

In an increasingly technological world, it’s important that offices stay up-to-date with modern organization methods. Digitizing your files will help you with that!

It’s an easy way to declutter the office and still archive files, which is good if you don’t have much physical storage space. It’s also easier to share online files with many people, and it’s better for the environment to boot!

Find the Best Office Filing System for You

Having a strong and well-organized office filing system is a surefire way to make sure your office operates smoothly. There’s no better way to create an efficient, productive, and healthy workplace environment!

Contact us to learn more about office organization!

Office environments have a tendency to feel a little . . . sterile. And if you’re like many office workers, you find that such a sterile environment bores you out of your mind. 

One way to inject some personality into an office space is by adding plants. Plants will not only alter the aesthetics of an office but they’ll also provide a little visual variation for those who work in that office. They’ll also help clean the air which is an added benefit, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interested in adding plants to your office? Curious as to the best low-maintenance office plants in existence? Here are 5 of them!

1. Cactus

They’re unique, they’re prickly, and they’re exceedingly easy to care for. We are, of course, speaking of cacti. 

These guys come in all shapes and sizes and will undoubtedly bring some atmosphere to your office. Just be sure to place them in spaces where they can’t hurt passersby, like on a desk or window sill. 

2. Spider Plant

You’ve probably seen hundreds of spider plants in your day. This long-leafed plant is one of the most common office plants in existence. 

Not only does it provide an intriguing look, but it’s also extremely easy to take care of. Capable of surviving without direct sunlight, it can actually thrive under the beam of fluorescent lights.

3. Aloe Plant

Strong, sturdy, and one of the most low-maintenance plants in existence, the aloe plant is perfect for placement in offices. Sporting a quaint and controlled aesthetic, it looks great on a window sill. 

Aloe plants rarely need water and can get by with indirect sunlight. In most cases, you only need to water them every 3 weeks or so. 

4. Snake Plant

Aptly named, the snake plant looks like a bundle of snakes. Characterized by thick, straight leaves, it’s compact and symmetrical. Though it would look best on a window sill, it can add a lot to desks as well. 

As far as maintenance goes, snake plants are on the low end of the spectrum. They can thrive with indirect sunlight and only need to be watered every 2 to 5 weeks. 

5. Bamboo Palm

If you’re looking for something a little bigger, you should consider buying a bamboo palm. These stand between 3 and 10 feet tall and can bring a great deal of atmosphere to their respective rooms. 

When it comes to maintenance and care, the bamboo palm is almost self-sufficient. It needs only small amounts of indirect sunlight and only needs to be watered sporadically. Just feel for dry soil and add water every time you find it.

Adding Life with Office Plants

Now that you have some great choices for the best plants for your office, to add life and to purify air, add even more color and life by planting them in fun pots to show off your style.

Office work isn’t physically taxing in the traditional sense. However, it can still have adverse effects on the body. If you work in an office, it’s wise to stretch periodically throughout the workday to prevent discomfort or injury.

Need some good office stretching exercises? Check out these 4 office stretches for office workers. 

1. Shoulder Shrug

Throughout the workday, a great deal of stress is bound to build up in the area around your neck and upper back. Shoulder shrugs are a great idea to loosen this area up on occasion. 

To perform this stretch, stand up with your arms to your side. Then, pull your shoulders up and your shoulder blades together, scrunching your neck in the process. Hold this position for 2 to 3 seconds and repeat it 5 to 10 times.

This stretch will not only loosen up the muscles in your upper back, neck, and shoulders, but it will also help to relieve headaches. 

2. Waist Twist

Whether you’re sitting or standing all day, your lower back is forced to support a great deal of weight. This can cause it to become sore throughout the workday. 

To relieve some of this soreness, you should engage in waist twists. A waist twist is a stretch in which you move your torso to the left or the right while leaving your feet and legs in a constant position. It should be performed with a straightened spine, and with your hands on your hips. 

To get the most out of this stretch, alternate to the left and to the right 5 to 10 times for 2 or 3 sets. 

3. Chest Extension

You’re also likely to experience stress in your chest. To relieve this stress, try some chest extensions. 

A chest extension is a stretch wherein you pull your chest upward. It can be performed in both sitting and standing positions.

To perform a chest extension, straighten your arms and back, and then pull your straightened arms behind your back. This will force your chest in an upward trajectory, allowing you to stretch the muscles in your core. 

4. Leg Pullback

Leg pullbacks are a great stretch if you tend to lean to one side or rest on one leg while your sitting.  

To perform a leg pullback, stand up, lift one leg up to your backside and hold it with your hand. If necessary, use a table or chair to help support your body. Then, repeat the process with the other leg.

This stretch will not only help to stretch out the thighs but the hamstrings and calves as well as opening up your hips. 

Perform These Office Stretches to Avoid Injury

Performing these office stretches on a daily basis is a great way to keep yourself loose and free of chronic injury. Put these stretches to good use and reap the positive effects and increased productivity!