Due to many factors affecting the global business economy, the interest in office refurbishment has grown and is continuing to grow significantly. With the Pandemic increasing the need for hybrid working, many companies are re-evaluating the layout of their offices to create more collaborative working spaces.
A recent report by Microsoft showed that about 70% of staff wanted and needed flexible working arrangements to continue post lockdown and some companies are responding to this trend. We believe that for the rest of 2022, and beyond, companies will need to focus on both attracting and retaining staff, by being more collaborative and interactive in developing hybrid office designs, and reviewing amongst other things, the costs involved in development.
So what are the most important things to ensure your office refurbishment or fit out is as successful as possible?
Define your reasons for an office refurbishment
Consider the issues you may have with your current office space and what would a newly refurbished office do for your company. Is your office dated and doesn’t truly reflect your brand or corporate identity?
Your workplace should be a reflection of your brand and has a major role to play when it comes to attracting and retaining the very best staff in a competitive marketplace. Providing staff with a workplace that is flexible, light, modern and where they enjoy working is hugely important.
Other factors such as workplace wellbeing and embracing a new, more efficient way of working may also contribute to the decision to consider refurbishing your office. Wellbeing can be achieved by incorporating more natural light in the office space and providing staff with a choice of work areas making it easier for them to concentrate, collaborate, catch up or simply relax.
And what about growth? You may simply need to make better use of your space to accommodate more staff. Effective space planning through an office refurbishment and clearly defining what you want from your new workplace can help to improve capacity.
In addition, you may feel that your existing office spaces are not used effectively enough and that a refurbishment would create a better, more efficient place to work. For example, your company may have numerous meeting rooms or other spaces that aren’t used on a day to day basis and where individuals or small groups use these rooms for calls or informal meetings they could easily take place in breakout areas or smaller, private spaces.
Focus on that list of reasons throughout the project to achieve success
It is important that your reasons for an office refurbishment are defined early on in the process as all companies have unique office requirements. And focusing on that list of reasons throughout the project is a priority to its overall success.
So to summarize the reasons why you may be considering a refurbishment of your existing office space:
- Post-pandemic, with staff returning to the office there is a requirement for refurbishment to meet health and safety guidelines
- The offices look tired and dated
- Staff surveys show a strong need for collaborative, hybrid workspaces
- The company is growing and needs to use the current office space more effectively
- Due to the company’s growth, the current office space needs to be redesigned
- The lease is expiring and the landlord has offered to update the office space
- We need to create a more inspiring and motivational place to work
- Our office doesn’t reflect who we are as a company
At Emerald Interiors our knowledge, professionalism and project management expertise mean that we can guide you through your office or shop refurbishment or fit out project quickly, cost-effectively and smoothly.
If you are looking to create a new inspiring interior office space we would be delighted to help. For quality interior design, office fit out and refurbishments in Essex, Hertfordshire or London call us now for your free consultation on 01277 560440 or email info@emeraldinteriors.co.uk