How an Outdated Office Design Hurts Your Business

A business’s company culture is reflected in its office design. When old furniture, clunky cubicles and lack of natural lighting define your space, you may find increased employee dissatisfaction, reduced employee engagement and lower productivity

While worker satisfaction and productivity are already compelling benefits of updating a tired office environment, there are many reasons why an outdated design could be hurting your business in the short and long term. Let’s take a look at all of the ways an outdated office space could be detrimental to your business.

Common Problems of Outdated Offices

Decreased Employee Productivity

Office design isn’t just about making the workplace look impressive to high-value clients or customers, it also should function well for employees too. Due to the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers are coming back to the office and finding it hard to concentrate or stay motivated. Giving them a space that excites their senses and makes them happy to come to work can really improve on missed productivity of poor design. 

It is important to invest in your company’s office design for many reasons, one such reason being that your employees’ productivity can increase or decrease depending on the design and layout of the office. A 2009 study showed that nine out of ten workers believe that the quality and look of their workspace positively affects their attitude and increases their productivity. 

There are many different ways to boost productivity and morale without breaking the budget on your new office design. Adding a simple splash of color to the walls and updating the flooring of a shared space can help to improve the workflow of your employees and help inspire creativity in the office. 

Lack of Natural Light

Poor lighting design not only puts off clients and customers, but it can affect how smoothly your office reruns on a daily basis. If your office suffers from lack of natural light, the workspace may be hurting your employees’ mental health more than you think. Studies show that both natural and artificial bright light, particularly in the morning, can significantly improve health outcomes such as depression, agitation, sleep, circadian rest-activity, and seasonal affective disorder. 

Making a way for natural light in your office not only improves overall design, but a recent study of over 7,000 office workers from all over the globe showed that 80% of the office workers said that having good lighting in their workspace is important to them, and two-in-five (40%) deal with inadequate or uncomfortable lighting every day. A third (32%) said better lighting would make them happier at work.

Lack of Free Office Space and Storage

No one feels comfortable working in a cramped area with a cluttered desk. While older designs may have worked well 20 years ago, technology has changed exponentially and the need for better separated spaces and improved storage capabilities are more important than ever. 

Properly designing the office with private spaces for meetings and group projects, as well as communal shared spaces for work-free zones gives the environment an air of encouragement and sophistication that employees  respond well to. 

Dissuading Potential Clients

Clients want to feel like you are at the top of your game in whatever field your business represents. If your office design makes them lose confidence in you due to a poor layout, drab lighting and old paint, sluggish workers in cramped spaces, or a drab overall feel, their business will most likely be going elsewhere. First impressions are incredibly important to establishing reputation and rapport, and wowing your clients from the first handshake is important to maintain lasting and fruitful business relationships. 

Tips to Reinvigorate an Outdated Office

  • Invest in the latest technology
  • Hire commercial interior designers with experience and knowledge 
  • Create private zones and spaces for work and breaks
  • Be bold where you can, colors can motivate and stimulate
  • Redo your flooring to match your new updated design
  • Get ergonomic furniture for better productivity and health 
  • Upgrade out of date light fixtures 

Upgrade and Enhance Your Office with Designs by T2B Interiors

At T2B Commercial Interiors, our designers listen carefully to your design needs, desires and workplace objectives which helps us get to know your brand’s personality as we learn about the unique work culture you have cultivated.

Our designers work with state-of-the art software and will provide you with CET design and renderings to help you understand the design vision and provide valuable input early in the process. Budgets big or small; new space or renovated space; office, healthcare or educational, our designers have the experience to meet all of your design needs.

Whether you are in need of adding new work spaces, modern flooring, or ergonomic furniture for your hard-working employees and guests, contact us today to learn how our designers can help upgrade your office to match your brand’s style and culture.

LET’S GET STARTED. CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION.