5 Office Design Trends for 2022

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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.

What Is Ergonomic Furniture and Why Should Your Workplace Have Some?

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Ergonomic furniture has become more commonplace as we study ergonomics and understand that more comfortable employees are happier, healthier, and more productive.

Ergonomics play an important part in the workplace as ergonomic office furniture puts the body into a natural position, rather than in a position that could lead to injury, while providing a more comfortable working environment. 

Are you preparing to redesign your office and update your furniture? Let’s go over the ins and outs of ergonomics so that you can be sure that you are making smarter purchases for your team.

What Is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the study of how efficient people are at the office. It makes sure that office equipment is at the right height and angle for employees to be as efficient as possible throughout their workday.

An ergonomic workplace provides many benefits to the employees. In turn, it makes them happier and more productive, which makes the boss happier as well.

Ergonomic Furniture

Ok, so ergonomics is where they study how employees can be more efficient. What does that mean for office furniture, such as office desks and chairs?

Workspaces are places where employees often spend hours on end sitting at their desks. So, the ultimate in comfort is extremely important.

The placement of chair seat height, angles, armrests, and desk height will all influence how the body sits while working. 

Thinking Ahead For Health 

Hopefully, we are upgrading our office furniture to ergonomic designs for our health. We can also do it for design aesthetics, or just to be up to date and modernized office; the biggest benefit will always be our health.

Sitting in a chair that was not designed ergonomically can create a multitude of back problems. It can also give you tight muscles, digestive issues, and a wide variety of health problems.

Saving On Healthcare

Check-in with your healthcare provider as to what discounts can be applied when you switch from traditional office furniture to ergonomic furniture. Healthcare companies love when employers promote wellness in the office and may reward employers in the form of a discount. 

Add in mindful posture reminders and group stretches throughout the day, and there might be an even bigger discount applied.

Take Comfort To A New Level

Of course, our health comes first, yet comfort is a close second.

A full workday at a desk that is too low or too high can put your body in an unnatural and uncomfortable position. This makes you feel pain and become agitated at work.

Boost morale and keep employees comfortable while they work by switching out individual desks and group work tables to ergonomic designs.

Replace old chairs with chairs that sit the body in positions that make sense for health and are adjustable to suit all body types.

Sitting Pretty

Ergonomic furniture will have the office looking spiffy and have the employees sitting pretty as they become more productive in a morale-boosting environment.

Workspace Solutions has many options to bring the solution you are looking for to your office. Be sure to check out our blog posts for more great tips!

These Tips That Will Help You Stay Motivated and Productive While Working From Home

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Many people got to experience what it was like to work remotely firsthand over the past year. Now that things are beginning to open back up, some employees would like to keep working in this manner. 

Working remotely does have its benefits. In fact, according to a new study, 80 percent of participants noted remote work helped them take better care of their mental health. With another 83 percent citing it decreases their level of stress. 

If you are working remotely, keep reading this guide and learn how you can stay motivated and productive while working from home. 

1. Establish a Work Space

Rule number one while working from home is to separate home from work. This means establishing a space or home office that’s specifically designed for you to work and that alone. The goal here is to eliminate all distractions.

Your workspace should be complete with the right equipment, such as a desk or workstation and office chair capable of being used all day. It’s important not to cheap out on this furniture as a proper chair and desk can make it easier for you to remain focused throughout the workday. 

2. Make a System

If you are having a hard time gathering the motivation to work while at home, try implementing a time management system that can increase productivity and keep you focused. 

One system that people have success with is called the Pomodoro Technique. The basics of the method are as follows:

  • Put all your focus on one task for 25 minutes straight
  • After the 25 minutes are up, take a 5-minute break
  • Repeat four times

The method is designed to help break your work down into simple, more manageable parts that you can accomplish more efficiently.

3. Use Tools & Resources

One of the best parts of working from home is the vast amount of free resources and tools available to help you stay focused on work. Here are a few of the most popular:

  • Note-taking – Evernote, Simplenote, Google Keep, Microsoft Onenote.
  • Block out distractions  – LeechBlock, Forest, Focus.
  • Time management – Trello, Todoist, RescueTime.

Using a few of these free resources can help save you time, increase efficiency, and get more work done throughout the day. 

4. Get Outside

Not only can getting outside and enjoying some fresh air improve your mood, but it can also increase your productivity.

A study from Harvard Business Review divided participants into two groups. The groups were asked to work on a repetitive assignment for five minutes and were then given a 40-second break. One group was asked to stare at a concrete roof. The other group also saw a roof but was covered in nature or green meadows.

When the participants were asked to continue working, the group that saw the concrete roof lost concentration by an average of 8 percent. The group that experienced nature saw their concentration levels rise by 6 percent.

The Best Way to Stay Motivated

When you’re working from home, it can be challenging to stay motivated with so many distractions and other things going on. Luckily, there are certain things you can do to increase your productivity and block out all those distractions that are holding you back from producing your best work. 

The best way to stay motivated is by setting yourself up for success with the right tools and equipment. If you are looking to boost your productivity, contact us today, and we can help design the correct setup for your home office.

Your Official Guide to Choose an Office Furniture

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Are you in the market for new office furniture? Whether you have a single office to furnish or need to furnish an entire corporate office, buying office furniture can be a bit intimidating with thousands of options.

If you’ve been put in charge of purchasing furniture for your space, keep reading to make the process way less stressful. 

What to Look For In Office Furniture

Before you start hunting for office furniture, take note of the space you’re working with. Which pieces of furniture do you need to both fit the practical and comfortable dynamics they will be used for? Take measurements so you know what furniture will fit in your space.

Ergonomics should play a factor when buying office furniture. Ergonomics takes into consideration which factors influence employees’ success and productivity. To maintain an efficient, comfortable workspace, choose furniture with quality design and support. 

This could include having footrests, chairs with lower back support, or height-adjustable desks in the office.  

Similarly, furniture that is well-designed and can be comfortable for a person of any shape and size is appreciated in the workspace. Many desks and chairs have adjustable features so that the width and height can be moved to fit the comfort of the individual.

Aesthetics are important too. Don’t neglect the impact ambiance from office furniture has on the office. Employees spend so much time in the office that it should have a great atmosphere, which furniture aesthetic influences. 

Tips for Buying Office Furniture

When working with a limited budget, furnishing your office with used office furniture or a mix of used and new furniture can help save money. Searching ‘used office furniture near me’ online to find some good deals close by can help you find great deals on furniture. 

Pick a reputable, trustworthy company to buy from. They should ideally be well-established, having a good consumer base already. Read online reviews and look into what materials they use to build their furniture so you can be sure you’re buying quality pieces. The last thing you want to do is to have to replace the furniture again in a few months or years when it falls apart.

Opt for the warranty on larger, more expensive pieces in case something goes wrong. You never know what kind of accident could happen, so having a warranty covers your bases without having to worry. 

Consider Your Budget

Whether you’re buying home office furniture or ordering in bulk for a large corporation, keep your budget in mind. You may need to make this budget yourself or go off of a budget your boss has given you.

Identify which pieces of furniture are the most important. Office desk furniture, including chairs, will likely be number one on that list. Lobby furniture, conference furniture, and storage solutions may come next.

Don’t overspend on simplistic things. Remember how important ambiance is and how easily you can create that with some good lighting and a nice rug.

Get to Work

After considering your budget, how much space you have, and researching furniture options, you’re ready to make some smart furniture decisions. Have a general aesthetic in mind and watch how everything flows together during the shopping and buying process.

Check out Workspace Solutions’ office furniture store to find a wide variety of furniture in many styles, functions, and fashions that will perfectly fit your office space. 

Office Decor 101: How Do You Decorate a Boring Office?

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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. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Office Ergonomics

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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. 

 

 

 

 

Buying the Best Commercial Furniture on a Budget: How to Not Break the Bank

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Outfitting a new office or upgrading your old furniture can be a big financial commitment. If you’ve ever browsed a big-box office supply store, you know how costly a single desk or chair can be. Consider the cost of outfitting offices or cubicles for a handful of employees or even an entire office building. 

Sticking to a budget while still getting high-quality, functional commercial furniture can feel impossible. Luckily, there are a few ways to save cash without sacrificing quality.

Keep reading to learn three tips to help you furnish your office while not breaking the bank.

Skip the Office Box Stores

If you need to buy a desk or bookcase for your home, you’d likely go to an office supply chain store or furniture shop. But when it comes to shopping for a commercial space, this isn’t the best choice.

If you want the best office furniture for your money, head to a local office furniture store instead. Here you’ll find solutions designed for your office space, at a price that avoids the markup found at chains and big box stores.

Of course, many of us are now working remotely at home. If you want to outfit your home office for less, a commercial furniture store might be the solution.

Consider Buying Used

Most of us realize that buying new comes at a premium. But while you might think to head to a used car lot to save money on a new ride, most of us don’t think about buying used commercial furniture.

Depending on the item and where you shop, that new commercial furniture could be marked up as much as 400 percent versus what it cost to build. If you need business furniture that’s still functional and high-quality, consider shopping used.

With many offices now selling their furniture to work remotely, you can get a great deal on used office furniture!

Invest in Quality Where it Matters

There are a few types of furniture that you should never skimp on. Take your desk chairs, for instance. Employees spend nearly 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 48 weeks a year sitting in their desk chairs. That’s an average of over 1,900 hours a year in that chair. If that chair is old, worn out, or uncomfortable, it can have a big effect on employee morale and health.

It’s also important to make sure that your furniture choices don’t pose a safety hazard. If you need to store heavy manuals and other office supplies, a cheap bookcase could wind up buckling under the weight and injure anyone standing nearby.

Shopping for Commercial Furniture Without Breaking the Bank

Shopping for new, quality commercial furniture for your office doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank.

By skipping the box stores, considering buying used, and investing in quality where it matters the most, you can stick to your budget and still build a functional office space.

To start browsing high-quality, affordable business furniture, browse our selection today!

How to Design Safe Workplaces After the Pandemic

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safe workplaces

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way many companies do business.  In May 2020, 48.7 million Americans, about 35% of the workforce, began working from home due to the pandemic.

By December 2020, about 30% of them had gone back to the office. Over the next year, many more will follow as business shifts back to the office. But almost half say they’re nervous about returning.

AS a business, it’s our job to make sure that our employees have safe workplaces when they return. That might mean adopting new cleaning plans and new safety protocols. It might also mean taking a look at safe workspace design. 

Making Sure Your Workplace Is Clean

Businesses must develop return-to-office plans for employees who’ve been working remotely. In doing so, cleanliness becomes a chief consideration.

Many workers have had complete control over the cleanliness of their daily workspace. Giving up that control may make some uncomfortable.

You can do a lot to reassure your employees that you have their health and safety in mind. You may need to create a plan for more frequent cleaning. New safety protocols like disinfecting frequently touched surfaces may be in order. You should also consider adopting a fresh, easy-to-clean workspace design.

Today’s post-COVID workplace should be designed with cleanliness in mind. An effective solution combines smart design with innovative furniture from top manufacturers.

To create a safe and healthful workplace, keep communication with employees open. Keep them informed and ask for their feedback on any new protocols. 

Safe Workplace Design

American workers have become accustomed to social distancing. For those who’ve been working from home, returning to a crowded office space may be especially difficult. Ensuring your post-COVID workplace offers social distancing while allowing for productive collaboration is your challenge.

The CDC advises that creating a safe workspace should include appropriate social distancing. They suggest using dividers and panels as barriers along with signage and visual cues to promote social distancing. 

Social distancing at work doesn’t necessarily mean giving up an open floor plan. Open floorplans allow for better air circulation. They also eliminate a lot of the most frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs and cubical entrances. 

Rethinking furniture layout, updating seating plans, and traffic flow in your offices can go a long way to creating a safe workplace. It also reassures employees that you are focused on their health and wellbeing.

Creating Safe Workplaces that Works

For the post-COVID worker, personal safety, health, and well-being have become immutable priorities. But business must carry on. So, your workspace needs to work for your employees and your business. It must be clean, safe, and within budget.

Workspace Solutions specializes in creating innovative and safe workplaces.  We’re focused on creating the right space for your company and we provide safe workplace design solutions, including options for new and used office furniture, project specification and management, and installation.  

Contact us today to learn how to create a safe workplace for your company and its employees.