Did you know that a messy desk can limit your productivity?

Many people struggle to work from home as it is—the last thing you want is a cluttered workspace adding to the challenge.

So, how can you eliminate the clutter and best utilize your space?

Our tips will help you to learn how to maximize your home office space!

Go Digital

One of the easiest ways to maximize office space is by going digital. The more paper and files that fill your home office, the less room you’ll have for bigger furniture pieces.

A smaller filing cabinet can help save space for documents that you need to keep hard copies of, the rest can be scanned and kept digitally. There are plenty of digital workspaces and applications that make it easy to file and secure your documents digitally.

Craft Unique Storage Options

The biggest challenge when it comes to maximizing home office space is finding a good place to store all your supplies.

Even with a closet, storage can be tricky. After all, you won’t be able to easily access everything you need.

One easy storage solution is to install floating shelves. They don’t take up floor space, and they can be customized to be as long and wide as you’d like.

Opt for racks and storage containers that can be hung over your door. It’s another way to prevent storage units from taking up precious floor space, and you can access them with the swivel of your chair.

Use Color to Open Up Your Home Office Space

The color of the walls can do a lot to make a small office feel larger. If you plan on spending a lot of time in your office, the last thing you want is for it to feel cramped and claustrophobic.

Using light colors is essential to make the room feel larger. Dark colors, by contrast, shrink the room and create a heavy, enclosed atmosphere. Using light colors is especially important if you don’t have any windows to let in natural light.

Consider Your Desk Options

Your desk will likely take up the most space in your office, so it’s worth considering which style of desk will best maximize your home office space.

Standing desks are growing in popularity, as they’re both space-saving and proven to increase productivity. 

If you prefer the comfort of a chair, consider an L-shaped desk. They fit snugly into a corner and give you more space than traditional desks. They’re especially useful if you have a dual monitor setup.

Desks are available in many sizes so find one that fits best in your space.

Creating the Optimal Office 

It can feel impossible to cram all your office furniture and supplies into a tiny room, but it’s possible with a bit of strategic planning. With the tips above, you’ll have no trouble creating an organized home office space.

Looking for more? Check out the rest of our website for more office tips and tricks.

Need a little extra assistance? Contact us to learn how we can help you improve your own office space!

The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to change how we work going forward. Many offices are opting for hybrid spaces with employees working a mix of remote and in-office. With this new hybrid approach comes new and some not-so-new design trends for your office.

Office designs for 2022 are going to look different, and that’s a good thing. But, how different? What should you expect? 

Read on to learn about five office design trends for 2022!

1. Biophilic Designs

Biophilic designs were a hot trend for homes last year and this year we’re seeing it as one of the top design trends for the office. Biophilic designs add elements of the natural world to your office spaces. Wood, water, and plants bring a feel of the outdoors to your office and have several benefits.

One benefit includes improved air quality by adding plants to your office. These more natural spaces also help to reduce stress, boost creativity, and improve focus. All of these are important things in the workplace.

2. Flexible Work Space

A flexible working space is what employees will look for after more than a year of working from home. Letting employees work the way they’ve become accustomed to is the way forward, all without losing productivity that accompanies the transition back to the office.

Instead of dedicated desks and traditional office spaces, give employees flexible work areas for new ways of working. 

With more people working from home and video meetings taking the place of in-person meetings, spaces need to adapt.  Workspaces need to be able to go from collaboration spaces to private video spaces, as well as homey personal retreats. 

3. Neutral Colors

Neutral colors are a staple of office design, so expect more of them in office designs for 2022. Using beiges, tans, and off-whites to make an office feel more like home is vital for a successful office. Combine this with biophilic designs and go for wood tones to add some natural color to your office.

Keep the landscape around your office in mind when designing a color palette. Counter unending greys with neutral colors to keep the workplace lively. Color theory can help you motivate your employees.

4. Multi-Functional Spaces

More people are telecommuting since the pandemic began. Workspaces are adapting to this by changing what they use office space for. Using spaces that change into different setups saves space.

It also allows for more employees to be there at the same time. This way, remote workers have the option of coming in if they want. Meanwhile, your regular workers enjoy the benefits of the open space.

When needed, a multi-functional space can become a host for large meetings or parties. No cubicles to remove in this office, only space to put tables and comfortable office chairs. These spaces work well as flexible spaces.

5. Comfortable Offices

Offices around the world are making their offices look and feel more like home office spaces. Bringing the comfort of home to your office makes it easier when returning to work. Warm lights, plush carpeting, sofa-like seating will help your office look homier for your employees.

Adding comfort to work helps employee productivity. It also increases creativity, allowing your employees to better solve problems they have. Comfort is not something for your office to overlook.

Consider These Design Trends

Design trends for 2022 look less like a corporate hive and more like your employee’s home offices. You’ll see more sustainability, comfort, and flexibility in design trends. With them, employees will be happier and healthier, which leads to more productivity!

Enjoy this article? Check out our other articles next, including this one on how to make sure your office is decorated perfectly.

Over 5.6 million Americans left their job in September of 2022. And, while the reasons vary greatly, if you want to increase your employee retention then you need to be proactive. 

One of the first things on your list is to make your employees comfortable. 

Get started by learning about office ergonomics below. 

What is Ergonomics?

Workplace ergonomics is the study of how to create the most productive work environment. While its definition is broad, there are specific tasks that led a hand to designing and implementing ergonomics in your office. This may include buying the right type of furniture or organizing the office to promote ergonomics. 

Benefits of Ergonomics

Now that we’ve answered the question of what is ergonomics, you should know why it is important. The benefits of ergonomics include:

• Fewer physical discomforts while working
• Decrease in serious injury 
• Reduction in employee absences
• Improved retention rates

In addition, studies have found that employees who are happy are 13% more productive. So, the more comfortable your staff is then the more work they may complete. 

How to Make Your Office Ergonomic

Another bonus of an ergonomic office is that they are easy to develop. Plus, you can do as little or as much as possible to your office to make it comfortable and functional for your staff.

Here are a few ergonomic basics to implement. 

Maintaining Proper Posture

Emphasizing and assisting with proper posture in the workplace is essential for the health of your employees. Poor posture is the root cause of muscle strain and pain. Prolonged incorrect posture can lead to serious injuries in any part of the body.

Remind your employees to sit straight and offer tools to help them like lumbar and neck pillows for support. 

Finding the Right Chair

In addition to accessories, having ergonomic chair options can help support the spine. These chairs have built-in support and can be adjusted to suit each employee’s body type and size. They are worth the investment since most of the workday is spent sitting when at an office. 

Adjusting Your Screen and Desk

A chair shouldn’t be the only adjustable part of a workstation. Having the right size ergonomic desk is also important to maintain good posture by keeping the head level. 

While adjusting each desk, keep in mind the need to move the computer screen so it is the proper distance from the viewer and promotes comfortable movement while working. 

Making Time for Movement

Sitting too long can cause pain and injury as well, even when your office setup is ergonomic. Therefore, designate time for your staff to add movement to their workday.  

This may include intervals of standing or walking as well as stretching at their desk. 

Offering Optimal Lighting

Having the right amount of lighting is also part of an ergonomic office. Bright fluorescent lights strain the eyes and can cause headaches as well as reduce eyesight over time. Offer lamps and other soft lighting options to your employees for better working conditions.

Getting Started with Office Ergonomics 

A great place to start transforming your space with office ergonomics in mind is by buying new furniture. These pieces will ensure that you reorganize, rethink, and redesign your office for the purpose of comfort. 

Visit our office furniture inventory page to begin browsing. 

Are you setting new years resolutions not only for yourself but for your workplace? This can be a great way to get you and your employees involved in collective changes that can have a great impact on the success of your company and the culture of your workplace. 

For some business resolution ideas that could help your company improve its practices this year, keep reading. We’ll go over some awesome resolutions that can improve productivity and morale within the workplace.

Work to Improve Communication Skills Company-Wide 

A great business resolution to implement to improve your company’s processes is to work to communicate more effectively as a leader and encourage your employees to do the same. It’s important to remember that communication skills are not just about speaking with clarity, but they’re also about being a great listener.

Create a Space for Brainstorming 

Showing that you are an active listener will not only improve your employee’s morale by showing them that they are heard and that you care about what they have to say, but it will also help you be more open to new ideas as well as the details within your business. 

Offer opportunities for feedback or group meetings for brainstorming sessions where you can generate ideas from your employees. You may also consider establishing an open-door policy so that your employees feel like you are always there to support them. This is also a great way to solve issues before they get too severe. 

Being a respectful leader is about more than speaking to motivate your employees, but it also about allowing your employees to feel valued and that their opinion matters. Work to encourage active listening in your workplace, from the ground up, to improve your company culture and the work ethics of your employees. 

Work on Delegation 

Being a business owner can be hard, and it can be hard to trust your employees with important tasks, but it’s necessary to delegate so that you can grow and scale your business. For this reason, effective delegation is a must for all of the leaders within a company. This is a great way to spread your workload so that your plate isn’t overflowing with work and you can then focus on the core of your business. 

Learning to effectively delegate tasks involves learning to trust your employees, which allows your employees to feel empowered. This also allows for career development, which can allow your employees to take on new roles as your company grows. This not only makes scaling more possible, but it also improves your employee morale and company culture, as employees will learn that there are opportunities for growth when they produce great work.

Great Business Resolution Ideas 

If you want to improve your company culture and workplace success this year, consider setting some of the above business resolution ideas. Set goals for your company to improve your practices and grow your company this year. 

Are you looking for amazing workspace solutions and office furnishings that can give your workspace the update it needs this year? If so, contact us today for solutions. 

COVID -19 has changed much of how we do things in the modern world. Aside from health and social distancing protocols like wearing a mask, washing our hands, and keeping six feet apart, many employees have switched to remote work. 

However, working from home isn’t always easy. Some people can find it difficult to be as productive at home as they would be in an office environment. Fortunately, this obstacle is easy to overcome. 

Your employees need a comfortable home office setup that promotes productivity. The more they feel like they’re in a professional office, the more they’ll perform that way.

But what exactly do they need? Keep reading for the most essential home office supplies.

1. An Adjustable Ergonomic Chair

If your employees do a lot of work on a computer or at a desk, they need a comfortable and supportive chair. Their office chair should have an adjustable height to make sure they’re not craning their neck all day. The best home office chair will also have adjustable lumbar support to minimize back pain.

2. A Sit-Stand Desk

If possible, we also recommend using an adjustable height desk that will allow employees to sit or stand throughout the day. Sitting all day can lead to neck pain, back pain, and poor posture. A sit-to-stand desk will give your employees the option to stand intermittently during the workday.

3. A Quality Desktop or Laptop Computer

Most modern offices run primarily off of technology. Nearly everything we do is through computers and the internet. Make sure your employees have the hardware and software they need to get their job done efficiently.

4. An Project Management System

Keeping track of your work is very important. You don’t want to miss a deadline or forget a project. Project management tools such as Asana can help you stay organized, specify deadlines, assign tasks to other team members, and can help improve team collaboration especially when the team is in different locations. 

5. A Filing Cabinet

While most offices are computer and internet-based, many companies still have plenty of paperwork. Therefore, your employees need a way to keep these documents organized. We recommend a simple filing cabinet if their desk doesn’t have one built-in for a complete home office setup.

6. A Printer/Scanner

As noted above, some documents need to be physical. When working remotely, this requires an at-home printer for employees to print out paperwork. However, if they need to send documents back electronically, the printer should also be equipped with a scanner.

7. Security Equipment

Finally, your employees’ home office setups should include a way to keep sensitive information, documents, and other files safe and secure. For this reason, employees should have a small safe, or locking drawers in their desk. They should also have a shredding plan in place for when it comes time to discard sensitive documents. 

Looking to Perfect the Home Office Setup of Your Employees?

If you need help getting your employees outfitted for working from home, we’re here for you. Take a look at the rest of our office supplies or check out some of our other blog articles for more home office setup ideas. Remember, the better equipped your employees are, the more productive they’ll be.

Sitting at a desk for hours at a time can cause a serious ergonomic hazard, from back and neck pain to headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome.

When it comes to the equipment in your office, there are some key things you need to avoid these common workplace-related issues.

Read on for a list of five pieces of office equipment you need to keep you and your coworkers healthy.

1. An Ergonomic Office Chair

Desk chairs are probably one the most important piece of office equipment you need to accomplish your daily tasks. To avoid an ergonomic hazard, look for chairs that offer lumbar support and feature adjustable height options.

When you have a comfortable ergonomic chair, your whole body is better supported. Look for chairs specially designed to give your back, arms, and neck the support they need to maintain a good posture all day.

2. Standing Desks

>A lot of research shows that sitting could be the “new smoking” in terms of being a risk to our health. A standing desk allows you to get your work done from a standing position.

Try a standing desk that adjusts up and down, since you won’t always be able to stand when doing your work. These desks can keep your circulation flowing, which may also help you stay focused.

3. A Wrist Rest

Putting too much pressure on the wrist can cause many problems. Replace your standard mousepad with one that includes a thick, supportive wrist rest.

When the wrist is sitting at the right angle, it will help you avoid hand, wrist, and finger pain. This inexpensive piece of office equipment is a must if you’re using a computer for most of your day.

4. Monitor Stands Can Help You Avoid an Ergonomic Hazard

Your computer should be at eye-level to keep your head and neck in a proper position. Monitor stands are an inexpensive and easy way to help you create an ergonomic workstation.

If you’re looking down or straining your head upward, it can cause serious issues with your neck, back, and even your arms. Always ensure that your laptop or desktop computer is at a good height so that your head and eyes are always level with the screen.

5. Footrest

Aside from your upper body, your feet should also have the support they need to avoid ergonomic-related issues. Footrests will keep your feet flat on the floor, especially if your chair sits too high.

If you can’t find a footrest that works or you don’t want to spend the money, a stack of books is a good substitute. As long as your feet are level with the floor, you’ll avoid straining your legs and back.

Stay Healthy at the Office with Ergonomic Office Equipment

Consider these five important pieces of office equipment to help you avoid a serious ergonomic hazard. With some simple changes, you’ll feel better, more alert, and avoid injury in the workplace.

To view our products and to learn more about us, visit our website today.

Did you know that your office environment can have a dramatic impact on employee productivity?

That’s right — factors from lighting and color scheme to furniture and layout all contribute to how well your employees work. Get your office design right, and you’ll see a knock-on effect in multiple areas of your business.

Need some inspiration to start improving your workspace?

Check out the creative office environments below.

1. Flexible and Multifunctional Spaces

The days of assigning specific purposes to different areas of your office are long gone.

Instead, companies are taking a more dynamic approach by creating large, open spaces that can be adapted according to current needs. One day your office might be set-up as a recording studio — the next it could be filled with desks for co-working.

Take some time to think about your current needs and how they could be met by rotating furniture and equipment in one large space.

2. Monochrome Color Schemes

Want your office to feel cool, calm, and modern?

Sticking to a monochrome color scheme with one bright color at the center is a great way to create a stylish office environment that flows well. Think monochrome art pieces, accent walls, and accessories.

It’s worth looking into color psychology when choosing your shade. Blues and greens are great for relaxation, while reds and oranges are more stimulating.

3. Health-Promoting Workplace Furniture

Research shows that 87% of workers would like their current employer to offer healthier workspace benefits, like wellbeing rooms and ergonomic seating.

It’s worth investing in workplace furniture that helps your employees stay healthy — meaning fewer sick days and better concentration.

This might mean standing desks, comfy bean bags, office exercise equipment, and hypoallergenic fabrics. Don’t just guess — chat with your employees and ask what would benefit them the most.

4. Sustainable Green Materials

Sustainability is huge right now, and many employees care about working in a green, eco-friendly environment.

This is relatively easy to achieve by choosing natural materials, like wood, jute, and hessian, wherever possible. Adding some office plants is a great way to bring a natural feeling indoors, and you could even get creative and start a mini office herb garden.

Showing a commitment to sustainability should also impress clients and investors.

5. Homestyle Furniture and Accents

Want to make your employees feel more at home?

Adding domestic touches to your office is a huge trend right now, and it’s a great way to create a more relaxed, informal environment.

Instead of traditional boardroom tables, why not invest in a group of couches for meetings? Or dot a few armchairs around for solo working?

Other touches like plants, ornaments, and paintings work really well when used sparingly to create a perfect balance between comfort and professionalism.

Why Invest in Creative Office Environments?

Still not sure if it’s worth spending money on creative office environments like these?

Look at it this way — an unappealing workplace reduces productivity, increases sick days, and makes staff members more likely to quit. These issues all cost money in the long run.

If you want to build a sustainable business, there’s no better place to start than your office.

Check out our blog for more inspiring workplace solutions.

With the new year comes new resolutions both personally and professionally. Did you resolve to be more productive?

When it comes to productivity at the office in 2020, use the start of a new decade to make some serious changes for the better.

From your office environment to how you set your goals, you can boost office productivity just by making a few small changes.

If your office needs a little shakeup this year, consider these tips for ways to boost office productivity and make 2020 your company’s best year yet.

1. Set Goals That Are Attainable

With the new year, set some new goals for your company or team. Goals are one of the ways to boost productivity because they give your team a shared purpose and something to strive for.

Keep your goals attainable and you’ll have a much better success rate. Goals that aren’t achievable can hurt your office morale and decrease productivity.

Forbes gives some questions to ask yourself to help you set new 2020 goals.

2. Clearly Define Roles and Tasks

If everyone in your office is running in circles without a clear direction, use 2020 as a time to clearly define everyone’s roles and tasks.

Take a few minutes to go over goals, roles, and job responsibilities at the beginning of the year. This will help everyone stay on track and focused.

3. Optimize Your Work Space

If your workspace isn’t conducive to a modern work environment this can really hurt productivity. One of the best ways to boost office productivity is by re-working your office space.

New furniture, a new layout, and even small changes to your space can do wonders to increase communication and collaboration.

4. Make Feedback a Priority

In any successful office, people should feel comfortable giving and receiving feedback, Feedback is crucial to being the best we can be.

In the new year, create a welcoming space for feedback and you’ll see a big change in how your office communicates.

5. Encourage Collaboration

Teams need to collaborate in order to be successful. Make sure your office culture, as well as your office environment, invites open communication and collaboration among teammates and colleagues.

6. Maximize Meetings

Meetings often get a bad rap for being time sucks. Keep meeting productive, timely, and on track.

Use meetings as a time to collaborate and make the most out of them to keep them productive.

7. Think Outside the Office

To help boost productivity, make sure your technology in and out of the office encourages collaboration and work sharing.

8. Let Loose

Sometimes, in order to be more productive, you just need to let loose. In 2020, host events, happy hours, or off-site meetings to shake things up.

9. Encourage Wellness

Healthy employees are happier and more productive. Offer incentives for making health a priority or create spaces within your office to help promote wellness.

Teach employees how to be healthier too by bringing in a coach to help employees learn how to eat more plant-based meals.

10. Treat Yourself

Every once in a while if your office is in a rut, treat yourselves. Order in lunch, bring in breakfast, or just upgrade your coffee for a nice little pick me up.

11. Track Your Performance

At the end of the year or each quarter, check-in and see how you’re performing. Regular check-ins will help keep everyone on the same page.

Boost Office Productivity for a Better 2020

Make 2020 your most successful year yet. From setting goals to encouraging collaboration and wellness, making a few small changes this year can really boost office productivity. Even small changes to your office environment can do wonders for your team’s productivity.

If you are ready to make some great changes to your office space, fill out this contact form to work with a professional to help get your office off to a great start in the new decade.

Did you know that only 11% of people are satisfied with their work environment? Most people spend 40 hours or more at the office and a dull and depressing environment can have damaging effects on their mood, productivity, and even their health.

On the other hand, a fun and exciting work environment can have the opposite effect, while benefiting you as the owner, as it can lead to an increase in productivity.

But how do you create the perfect atmosphere for yourself and your employees? What are some of the most popular office design trends in 2019? If you’re asking yourself these kinds of questions, wonder no longer, because we’re here to help!

In this article, we’ll be discussing a few of the most popular office design ideas that are out there. Read on!

Free-Range Spaces

Free-range spaces is a design trend that picked up steam over the past few years and doesn’t show any signs of losing popularity. Free-range spaces are open office layouts that encourage in-person interaction among employees. So instead of communicating via phone calls or e-mails, your team would work side-by-side to complete tasks.

This cooperative approach can increase camaraderie among your team, employee happiness levels, even overall production.

Experience-Driven Rooms

The office is no longer just a place to work on spreadsheets and have meetings. More businesses are starting to offer employees non-work related experiences via experience-driven rooms.

Obviously, you can’t set up a 50-foot rock wall, or even just a small gym, if you don’t have space for it. But a simple break room that has a couch and some games, or free drinks and snacks, could be just enough to help your employees briefly escape the daily grind.

Old Meets New

For years now offices have implemented old and rustic design elements, as well as new and sleek design elements, but never together. Recently that approach has changed. Designers are now starting to incorporate items from both worlds to create a whole new atmosphere.

For instance, maybe your office has exposed metal beams throughout. You can mix in an old, restored wooden desk into the equation and create a whole new style.

This is a great way to utilize old office furniture, which is often cheap to find and easy to restore.

Slim and Sleek

The simple, minimalist approach to office decor has been around for years now. Taking the slim and sleek approach always works and creates a fun and futuristic vibe that your employees are sure to love.

A benefit of going this route is that it opens up a lot of space, which in itself can help create a more relaxed and comforting vibe at the office.

Go Green

Incorporating a lot of plants into your office decor is a trend that is never going to go away. The health benefits to having plants in the office are plentiful, and they look nice, too, which is an added bonus.

If possible, natural light is another great design tool that can really help turn a workspace into something special. So if you have windows, don’t cover them up and don’t be afraid to open them (or even doors) on a nice day.

Office Design Ideas: What’s Next?

Now that you’re up to date on the latest office design trends of 2019, you’re all set!

The desired outcome is to create a workspace that both you and your employees enjoy being in, creating an environment in which everyone can thrive together.

Still not sure what to do with your workspace? Or maybe you have an idea, but you’re looking for some new or used furniture? Contact us today, we’ll be glad to assist you!