Eleven Off-the-Wall Ways to Make Your Office Happier September 29, 2016My BusinessOff

Whether you’re working for a long-established multi-national or you’ve just bootstrapped your way into your very first office space in EC3, you need to make your workplace a happy one. The look and feel of an office is vital to the mood of the team and ultimately its productivity, so once you’ve cleaned the windows and installed a few pot plants, what else can you do?

Quite a lot, actually; so here are some of the more unusual ways to get a great vibe going.

Add a feature wall. No more wall-to-wall magnolia these days! Having just one wall that’s a different, bright color instantly adds depth and character to a room, especially if it’s a small space. Choose carefully, though, as fluorescent green can get a bit wearing.

Use off-site storage. If you don’t have much space and there’s equipment that you use only once a week or so, then think about storing it elsewhere. You could even get a courier company to transport it to-and-fro if you’re also short on time.

Tidy up regularly. Especially important in smaller spaces, tidying up helps to keep your minds clear as well as your desks! Invest in lots of storage solutions, as they’ll pay dividends in terms of productivity.

Think seasonal. Bust out the baubles for Christmas, carve a few pumpkins for Halloween and welcome in the spring with some cheery chocolate eggs. Having a change of scene is as good as a rest – just remember to tidy away the tinsel before it looks tired.

Make a hangout area. Just having a small corner with mini sofa and a window to retreat to really helps when you’re struggling with a knotty problem. If you can squeeze in a quick chat as well, everyone’s a winner.

Refuel! Make sure there are healthy snacks available – nuts, protein bars, fruit, yogurt, as well as fresh water. It’s easy to fall into the trap of eating chocolate and sweets to boost energy and then suffering from bad blood sugar.

Step outside. If it’s sunny, or even if it’s chilly, a walk outside can break the day up and invigorate the mind. Hold a meeting in a nearby park; get some fresh air – and ideas!

Introduce flexible working hours. Many companies talk the talk but don’t walk the walk here, coming up with reasons as to why someone’s 10-6 schedule will lead to the fall of western civilization. Try it out – you could be helping a working mum, or someone who always arrives ten minutes late thanks to awful traffic anyway. As long as the work gets done, what’s a slight schedule shift?

Build an ideas board. A physical board, that is. Anyone can jot down an idea and everyone can see it; whether it’s a new way of working or simply suggesting “Facepack Friday,” it’ll bring people together.

Use a shared calendar. Either online, on paper or both, a shared calendar tells you when everyone’s on holiday, when their birthdays are and when that all-important deadline is. It’s great for team cohesion.

Have regular celebrations. Your six-month office anniversary, winning a new contract, Luke finally moving into his new house – whatever the occasion, share and celebrate it as a team. This helps with bonding and gives you all things to aim for – together.

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