If you have noticed that your team’s happiness, creativity, or productivity have been a bit… well, not stellar lately, it may have something to do with a drab and uninspiring workspace. We all know it is often one of the biggest influences on office morale, but it can also cost a pretty penny to undertake a redesign or renovation, not to mention the time that will be spent on that when you could be doing business. 

We’re happy to tell you that it’s possible to enhance and update your workspace without a redesign and without spending a fortune, and we’d like to share some ways you can do that today:

• Fresh air. The simplest update possible is to invest in great scents for your office. A recent study actually found that people who type at work will make half their normal errors when they smell lemon, while jasmine and lavender were also effective to a lesser degree. 

• Get personal. Add some personal touches to move your office away from boring old functionality. Give it some personality - and don’t think you have to break the bank. Retro and vintage items can be found for a steal, many times, and can really liven up a space. Choose items that have a synergy with your line of business for a clever sales angle. 

• Make art. Don’t just use posters you can find at Michael’s - make your own. Use photos of happy times at company picnics or parties, and transfer them to a canvas. Or what about a photo wall with pictures of everyone’s kids and pets? Make your space your very own by using art that speaks to your team and your clients.

• Tidy up. Cleaning your spaces and organizing them is a pretty cheap way to update your office without actually re-designing it. Using shelving with doors, for example, can really tone down the overly busy vibe of your workspaces; too much going on visually actually makes people anxious and stressed out. Perhaps you allow eating at desks, and perhaps it’s time to nix that habit. Crumbs and other food particles are really terrible for keyboards, and who hasn’t spilled coffee in the wrong place and the wrong time? It will also be helpful to organize those crazy tangles of cords that everyone has behind their desks. Get all that cleaned out and organized, and you are going to be amazed at how much better you feel. 

• Go outside. Or at least bring it to you. Open up window spaces, remove heavy window coverings and invest in energy-efficient styles, and maybe start an indoor garden. An office fish tank could be fun, too, but you will probably want to employ a professional tropical fish company to come by weekly for maintenance and cleaning. After all, you’ve got work to do!

Turn your workspace into a space that works. Give us a call at Nashville Office Interiors and let’s talk about an office update.