It’s a big decision when you decide to renovate your office space. Whether it’s by choice or because of damage or wear and tear, you want to make sure that you do it right. It’s an investment, and when the work is complete you want your staff to be comfortable, and for any customers or clients who enter to feel welcomed. There are several things that you need to remember and that you need to consider when updating or renovating your workplace. Otherwise, it could affect office productivity and employee morale. Here are some things you need to know.

Think About Sound

If you have a  lot of people in your office, then it can get chaotic and noisy. In fact, even if you only have a few people, if your offices are close together, or everyone is working in cubicles, noise and conversations can be a distraction. This is also true if you need to take client meetings in your office space. It’s a good idea to put soundproofing into the walls to create spaces where there can be silence if needed. If you have separate offices for everyone, then try to make them all insulated and soundproofed. With fewer distractions your team will be more productive. Plus, you will present a more professional image to your clients, while not having to fear that someone says something inappropriate within earshot.

Public Restrooms

You may have a great-looking office space that presents to the world a well-run business, but if there’s one way to ruin that image it’s with a worn-down restroom. Partitions, in particular, can get damaged and broken, and make your entire restroom look unkempt and unclean, and uninviting. By installing phenolic bathroom partitions, you have durable, great-looking separation to offer privacy and comfort. Along with being durable, phenolic is vandal-resistant, which will also ensure that your bathrooms look great for years to come. These screens and partitions can be customized to your space so that you can make them work in any setting.

Storage

Running out of storage can be an incredible pain for a workplace. You need a place for documents, equipment, kitchenware for the breakroom, extra furniture, and any number of things. When your storage is inadequate or inconvenient, it can affect productivity. Nobody wants to spend a lot of time rifling through junk to find what they need. Not only that, but if you don’t have enough storage, documents and clutter can end up on work desks and other surfaces. When renovating an office you can have new storage installed and make sure that the office is configured properly to allow for plenty of it.

Flooring

Updating your flooring can make a huge difference in the appearance and feel of your office. If you currently have carpeting, then over the years it has probably collected dirt and other substances that have left it looking tattered and faded. If you have a lot of traffic through your office, then you may want to go with tile or laminate. These are not that common in offices, but they offer an easy to maintain alternative to carpet. They don’t stain like carpets do, and they are durable. If you do want carpet, make sure to choose a type that is stain-resistant and durable.

Sustainability

Much of the world is shifting to be more eco-friendly. There are two benefits to this. One is that it’s better for the planet, but the other is that it is cost effective. When renovating, you can take steps to be more eco-friendly, which can save you money on energy costs. If you properly insulate your building, you can save on your energy bills. Windows should be properly sealed, and you can add blinds to keep the sun out. These steps can make a big difference when your utility bills come. You can also use natural and recycled materials. These will help keep your staff healthy and comfortable.

Movable Walls

If you are concerned about how much space you have, then making your office as flexible as possible can be a big help. That’s where movable walls come in. You can expand and contract certain spaces to fit what you are using them for. You can have offices that convert to shared workspaces, for example. These can be made of glass to provide more natural light through the office, or you can have insulated partitions. Making the best use of your space means being versatile and creative, and movable walls can help you do that.

Sanitation and Covid Safety

Who knows how long we will be dealing with Covid-19. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to make sure that you make it as easy as possible for staff and clients to stay safe. You can have sanitation stations and hand-washing sinks installed through the office. Install a high-efficiency HVAC system to properly circulate and filter the air to prevent airborne infection. Keeping your staff safe is better for their health, but it also helps to maintain productivity. You will avoid having too many people missing work because of a disease running through the office.
There is so much that you can do when renovating your office. Make sure to keep many of these tips in mind when you are making your plans. Remember, having the right workplace environment will improve office morale and increase productivity.