Sharing a small office space does not mean you need to spend your days in a robotic, "suck the life out of you" cubicle. As Greg Hoffmeister of T3 Advisors commented on one of our previous blog posts, Your Office Space Is An Extension Of Your Brand -You only really get one chance to make that "first" impression. What startups need to remember is that inexpensive space doesn't need to look "cheap". Splashes of color on certain walls, lighting and cool/slick Ikea furniture can really make a difference without breaking the bank.
Below are 10 affordable ways to breathe life into a small/shared office space:
1) Add a fresh coat of paint- Dig up some of the old clothes you were about to donate to the Salvation Army and pick up a gallon or two of paint. Adding some color to the walls, even better, adding colors that reinforce your brand, can help to breathe a little life into your space and your company.
For an example of a powerful use of color in an office, check out this photo profile of Yahoo's Toronto Office by Chris Fyvie.
2) Cover bare walls with inexpensive artwork or photography - Whether online or at a local street fair, inexpensive artwork/photography can be found quite easily. Remember, your office is an extension of your brand so make sure the artwork/photography you choose accurately reflects this.
3) Go green by adding a few plants - Most local groceries or even bulk outlet stores like Walmart, Costco, BJ's etc. have inexpensive plants for sale. Adding plants to your office space can help to improve the air quality, reduce stress and improve morale. Plants can also help your company be more successful. (well maybe that parts not exactly true)
4) Improve the lighting by adding lamps- Not every spaced is blessed with great natural lighting. Stores like Ikea offer a nice selection of inexpensive decorative lamps that will not only help add light to your space but style as well.
5) Make use of colorful storage units/filing cabinets- Who says that filing cabinets/storage units have to be boring? Home Depot, Kmart and Target all offer affordable storage units that are available in a variety of colors. If you can't paint your walls, colorful storage units can be a great way of adding an accent of color to your space.
6) Visit thrift stores or garage sales to find unique furniture pieces - One man's junk is another man's treasure. A unique coat rack, bean bag chair, umbrella stand or bookcase can help give your office space a character of its own.
7) Organize your loose computer wires with colorful tubing- In my last shared office space the entire decor was focused around orange crush soda bottles. To maintain this theme, the space holder provided us with inexpensive orange tubing to hide our loose computer wires.
8) Make use of knick-knacks - Inexpensive wall/desk clocks, colorful vases, artifacts and statues can help add a finishing touch to your office space and tie your whole theme together. These items can be found at most discount and department stores.
9) Magazine/Book Shelves- Inexpensive magazine rack/book shelves offering strategically selected periodicals can help manage the initial impression you make on your visitors.
10) Bring your pets to work - While this option might not work for every office, bringing a well behaved pet to work can go along way to improve the morale in your office. (my favorite option)
If you have additional suggestions that can help a small business/entrepreneur spruce up their shared office space on a shoestring budget, Open Office Space would love to hear from you.
Marmot & Ely's "Understanding Offices" is a great (if somewhat dated) summary of what we know about office spaces and their effects on health, productivity, and enjoyment:
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Offices-Manager-Buildings-business/dp/0140169121
Posted by: Greg Wilson | 03/14/2010 at 11:21 AM
These are such great ideas. I like how you suggested adding color and artwork. Another great addition is window treatments!
Posted by: Emily | 03/16/2010 at 04:34 PM
It also depends on the actual size of the office. Before one can put items such as decorations, shelves, storage, etc., the space should be considered. Healthcare developers (Chicago) are now planning more efficient designs and layouts in medical industry.
Efficiency in office layout will result to:
1. It affects how much satisfaction employees derive from their jobs.
2. It affects the impression individuals get of the organization's work areas.
3. It provides effective allocation and use of the building's floor space.
4. It provides employees with efficient, productive work areas.
5. It facilitates the expansion and/or rearrangement of work areas when the need arises.
6. It facilitates employee supervision.
as stated in http://www.enotes.com/business-finance-encyclopedia/office-layout
Anyway, these are really helpful tips, too.
- Daniel Todman
Posted by: Healthcare developers (Chicago) | 02/02/2011 at 12:41 AM
It also depends on the actual size of the office. Before one can put items such as decorations, shelves, storage, etc., the space should be considered. Healthcare developers (Chicago) are now planning more efficient designs and layouts in medical industry.
Efficiency in office layout will result to:
1. It affects how much satisfaction employees derive from their jobs.
2. It affects the impression individuals get of the organization's work areas.
3. It provides effective allocation and use of the building's floor space.
4. It provides employees with efficient, productive work areas.
5. It facilitates the expansion and/or rearrangement of work areas when the need arises.
6. It facilitates employee supervision.
as stated in http://www.enotes.com/business-finance-encyclopedia/office-layout
Anyway, these are really helpful tips, too.
- Daniel Todman
Posted by: Healthcare developers (Chicago) | 02/02/2011 at 12:42 AM
Emphasis on the thrift stores. Great thing about those places is that you'll almost always find the unexpected. A little something that would erase the boredom in your office. Last time I went to one, I got a colorful hen candy bowl, and a vintage picture frame. The happy aura in the room makes you want to work more hours.
Posted by: Minneapolis Janitorial Services | 03/03/2011 at 06:11 PM
Great blog! I personally like to customize my office space. Framed pictures of loved ones, my trophies, mementos, and souvenirs on my shelves. But I want to keep my desk clean. Only a laptop, a notepad and a pen is supposed to be on the desk. They say a clean desk makes a good impression.
Posted by: Blake Mitchell | 05/23/2011 at 11:11 AM
We love this list! We'll have to pass thing along to our clients. We're Office Warehouse Space with small warehouse space for lease throughout the country. Happy to connect!
Posted by: Kat | 06/22/2011 at 02:47 PM
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Posted by: Toll Free | 09/14/2011 at 07:30 AM
I like little old clothes that were about to make a donation to senior Army and pick up a gallon or two of paint.
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Posted by: Toll Free | 04/27/2012 at 12:01 AM
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