Office decor is not a priority for the average office manager.

You paint the walls a neutral color and put in some desks, and you’re done, right? In fact, the decor you choose can make a real difference to the way your team feels and their ability to be productive. Here’s how to decorate your office for a practical and beautiful workplace. 

1. Optimise Your Storage

Make sure you offer enough storage space. A lot of office managers want a ‘clear desk’ policy for a paper-free office, but then don’t offer any storage space for people to actually keep their desk surfaces clear. As well as communal storage space for the obvious items like the stationery cupboard, your employees also need space to put things away at their own desks. Add sets of drawers under desks, or trays or boxes to go on desks. Stationery, paperwork, and personal items can be put away, keeping desks free of clutter and distraction. 

2. Improve Safety Capacity

Remember to think about safety when you’re planning your office. The most common accidents in offices are trips and falls. Your storage space will help with this, as clutter can be put away. Secure any trailing cables with trunking so people can’t get their feet caught, and finish any stairwells with anti-slip stairs. The classic office carpet tiles can lift, causing trips, and just look ugly, so choose a good-looking, smooth floor instead, like engineered wood flooring.

3. Consider Different Lighting 

The office should be well lit. Too bright and not bright enough will both cause issues like headaches and eye strain, especially for those who look at backlit computer screens all day. Let in plenty of natural light and avoid covering windows or opting for heavy blinds. Overhead lighting shouldn’t be too bright. Instead, add task lighting on desks, so people can light their own workspace to the level they prefer, without struggling with glaring lights overhead. 

4. Provide More Comfort

Comfort should be thought about in two ways. Make sure that the workspaces have been set up ergonomically. An ergonomic set-up is more comfortable to sit at and reduces the risk of back and shoulder pain. Make a workspace ergonomic by adding adjustable chairs, and extra items like footrests, wrist supports, and stands for screens. 

Is there anywhere for employees to sit other than their desks? Add some comfortable places to sit such as sofas or groups of chairs. These areas can be used during lunch breaks, as break-out spaces for meetings, or just somewhere quiet to sit away from the desk. 

5. Bring More Personality

Offices don’t need to be stark. Most offices choose bland colors and don’t think much about adding extra items except maybe their logo on a wall. You can add some personality and make the space more interesting to be in by bringing your brand colors into your decor choices. Avoid boring corporate looking artwork, and instead display your best ad campaigns or other relevant artwork that says something about who your company is. Add plenty of plants. This looks more interesting for employees and visiting clients alike.