With the year winding down, one of the things that may be on the mind for many remote workers is how their companies may make changes to slowly bring back the norm of working at an office, especially with 2022 fast approaching.

For approximately the last two years, many people have adjusted their working environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority of office workers have had to transition from a traditional office setting to the comfort of their own homes. Of course, many have certainly taken advantage of this by creating a well-decorated home office space to create an optimized work environment that fits their lifestyle.

But as some restrictions begin to loosen, many companies are already thinking of how they will revitalize their corporate office spaces, in preparation for when they invite employees back. With many people having grown accustomed to remote working, many companies are likely looking into the services of interior design companies to help them create a functional and stylish office space.

At Stewart-Schafer, we are amongst the top interior design companies that provide our design services in New York & Connecticut. As experienced decorators in the fields of residential interior design and commercial interiors, we have designed a wide array of spaces for different purposes. When it comes to decorating a corporate office, it is important to be mindful of what furnishings to use, especially in light of employees who may be reluctant to return back to the office.

In this blog, we will explore some key considerations that should be incorporated in a decorated office. While not every employee may be thrilled to be returning back to the office, companies can take a cue from this blog by considering these design tips in order to create a work environment that will entice employees to want to work at the office.

Tips From an Interior Design Studio With Decorating a Corporate Office

The expectations of a work environment have certainly increased for many employees, especially after working remotely for almost the past two years. With employees having more options now with the companies that they want to work for, one of the main points to consider that employees are contemplating now is the flexibility of where they will work.

For companies who wish to stay competitive, it is in their best interest to create an office space that will not only be enough to satisfy employees but it should be decorated effectively by incorporating ergonomic design solutions that also make use of tasteful furniture design.

This is not to say that an office should always hire an award winning design studio to create an office for them, but if they wish to make the transition to office work easier, it would likely be a good idea.

Consider some of the points below when decorating a corporate office.

Incorporate Your Company Identity Into Your Office Design

When most people think of an office, they may most likely have a preconceived notion that it is cold and stoic. What most likely comes into mind would be cubicles that are perfectly aligned, where not a single ounce of design is added, as whoever decorated the office space may have likely just wanted it to look generic and faceless.

Many businesses pass up on the opportunity to work with interior design companies because they may be put off by the cost that may be associated with decorating it. However, it is important to consider this as an investment for your employees, because adding your corporate identity to your office space not only builds stronger branding, but it could also promote employee retention if they actually enjoy the environment that they work in. Businesses should never underestimate the power of design and interior designers who are highly skilled in commercial design can certainly incorporate a company’s branding into an office in a tasteful way.

Be Mindful of Color Usage

In one of our previous blogs, we explored the importance of color and how much of an impact it has in affecting residential and commercial interior designs. On a surface level, color is one of the most basic characteristics that we notice, so the way it is used in interior design can certainly play a big role in how we see a space. But on a deeper level, colors can have an effect on us psychologically, where they can affect our moods.

One of the easiest design solutions when it comes to decorating any space is simply choosing the right colors. In the context of decorating an office space, you need to be mindful of the fact that this space will be used as a work environment, so you will want to use colors that are not too vibrant that they are distracting, but also colors that are not too monotone that it comes off as being bland and boring. Consider using colors that contribute to creating a calm environment, as this may be effective in creating a space that will keep employees focused in the workplace.

Make Use of Space Strategically

The amount of space that your office has is the biggest factor that will determine how your corporate office can be best decorated. For spaces that are limited in space, it may be best to take a cue from our previous blog which looks at effective tips and tricks to make the best use of space.

As general advice, you will want to be careful with the furniture items that you choose to work with. Furniture design plays an important role in influencing the design direction that a room has. For example, if your office space has a lot of corners, you may want to invest in purchasing desks that are best suited for corners to make functional use of this space. Otherwise, using poor product designs can waste a lot of space, which in turn can take a toll on your office.

Use Lighting Generously

No matter what space you are decorating, lighting is a make or break factor that can improve your space significantly if used correctly. But before you do get started with lighting, it may be in your interest to understand the difference between natural and artificial lighting, as explored in one of our previous blogs. Knowing the difference between these two types of lighting can help you create a work environment that uses the right form of lighting, depending on the space you are working with.

Similar to color, lighting can affect the mood of people - in this context, employees. Because an office space is used for working, it is important for the space to be well-lit, as you do not want to have a space that is too dim as it may make it difficult for employees to focus. But another consideration to keep in mind is that the lighting should not be too bright either, as it may be uncomfortable to work in for long durations.

Working With an Interior Design Company To Design an Office

When it comes to decorating a corporate office, there are plenty of things that you need to include on your checklist to create a work space that is best optimized for the needs of your company, but most importantly, for your employees.

Although the points discussed earlier in this blog are some of the basics that you should be aware of, there are plenty of other things that should be on your mind, such as specifics like space division and organization, which skilled interior designer companies would be highly knowledgeable at.

In a time where employee satisfaction is at its most important, many companies are paying closer attention to the factors that will help retain employees. One of those factors is having an office space that not only reflects the principles of a company, but also an office space that is decorated strategically that would encourage employees to want to work at the office.

The primary benefit of working with an interior design firm is that they can assist in creating an office space that will meet your expectations. Because designing an office can be very specific, an interior designer can walk you through the necessary steps that you should be taking to make your office space look less generic, and more aligned with your company. Although it may sound easy on paper to tackle this on your own, an interior designer will be knowledgeable about the key things that you may forget with office decorating.

If you have an interior design or architectural design project in New York or Connecticut that requires some professional expertise, contact us today! We offer no obligations phone calls to answer any of your questions or concerns.

Stewart Schafer is one of the top Interior design companies based in New York and Connecticut, click here to view some of our past projects and see how we can help.