How to Give Your Office a More Modern Look
When you have an office space, you want it to be an area that inspires your staff to work rather than makes them feel drab or like they have a permanent case of the Mondays. In the last few years, the traditional look of an office has changed drastically, meaning that if you are new to designing an office area from scratch, it can be a bit challenging to know where to start. Or what to add. After all, the grey boxes are so 1990!Don’t worry. This article has your back, as here, you will be walked through some of the best tips to give your office a more modern look or update. So, read on and enjoy!
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Incorporating an open concept or open plan look in the office by using glass or Perspex walls, glass doors, and open meeting areas can create a more modern and collaborative environment.
- Maximizing natural lighting by incorporating large windows and using glass walls and doors can brighten up the space and improve productivity.
- Using bold colors, complementary to gray if desired, in the decor, flooring, and artwork can enhance the visual appeal and create a vibrant atmosphere.
- Implementing smart storage solutions like lockers with fob or card access can reduce clutter and improve organization.
- Adding plants and greenery to the office space can bring life and freshness, contributing to a more modern and inviting ambiance.
An Open Concept Look
The last thing you want in an office is lots of, well, cubes that your staff work in. That look is out and is frankly depressing and not motivating for anyone.
In 2023, most office designers will advise managers to choose a more open concept or open plan look. This means the installation of glass or Perspex walls, glass office doors, and more open areas for meetings and discussions.
Try to, where possible, avoid private offices or meeting rooms. Why? The closed-off look can cause a real separation between the staff, which can up the nervous energy and make working an intimidating prospect. If your staff needs to have separations in the workspace, opt for room dividers. These are appealing to look at, are affordable, and, best of all, they can be moved or folded away when not needed.
Natural Lighting
Time after time, it has been found that people work better when they are sat next to a window, even if it is a dull, grey day.
The reason is simple. The UV light prompts receptors in the brain, which help keep someone awake and focused for longer. So, when it comes to incorporating light into your office space, you need to get as much natural light as possible to give your office a more modern look.
The open-concept look that was mentioned earlier can certainly help here. The glass office walls and doors can help light travel through the space, brightening up the area. Try to make sure that any curtains or blinds are only used at night and that any windows are large and, if possible, cover at least two walls of the office.
In the evening or the colder, darker months, it is worth investing in some UV lights for your office. These are more affordable than you may think, and, best of all, they come in the form of LED lights, so they don’t need to be replaced regularly and can be easily recycled.
Bold Colors
Have you ever seen the movie Office Space? The office itself is a character: small, grey cubicles, surrounded by grey walls, grey carpet and, well, grey everything!
This is not a look that you want in 2023, so it is advisable to research bolder color schemes to help enhance the space. Of course, if you are a fan of grey, you don’t need to get rid of it.
Just balance it with brighter to give your office a more modern look, complementary colors like yellow, orange, or even pink!
This can also be the case for the flooring and the artwork. Try to incorporate as much bright color as you can into the space, as this will help your staff to feel more alert, as well as make sure that any clients who come to visit your office will be impressed with the color combinations and the vibe. Even adding a bright accent wall can do the trick!
What Is Important When Choosing Colors for an Office?
When choosing colors for an office, it’s important to consider the psychological impact of different hues. Opt for colors that promote productivity and focus, such as shades of blue or green. Incorporate brighter accent colors to add energy and creativity. Balance colors to create a harmonious and visually appealing environment.
Smart Storage
It is an image from the 90s, but when it comes to office spaces, you don’t want clutter.
In the best-case scenario, it is an eyesore, and in the worst-case scenario, it is a potential health hazard that may cause your staff to fall over and injure themselves.
This is where smart storage comes in. You can ensure that all of your staff have a locker for their clothes and accessories without the need for locks and keys. Smart storage options allow for a fob system to be utilized. So each member of staff can access their own locker with a single swipe. Or you can choose an option that allows each person to have a personalized card. And it can give them access to their locker and other communal storage units without the need for clutter. Great!
As these are smart systems, you will need to ensure that they are set up by a qualified individual, as well as make sure all of the staff are up to speed on how to use the lockers and other bits of tech.
Plants and Greenery to Give Your Office a More Modern Look
You can never overlook plants and a bit of greenery when it comes to creating a more modern-looking office space.
Some offices can look a bit grey and drab, but if you add some luscious plants, the room becomes brighter. You could opt for fake plants. But for a real impact (and cleaner air), it is well worth buying some real plants. There are some simple care plant options that don’t need a tonne of light to thrive. You could opt to grow an indoor ivy, a Rapunzel plant, a Japanese peace lily, ferns, and cheese plants. When it comes to the indoor ivy, you will need to put up a kind of indoor trellis and try to stop the plant from attaching to the wall. The Rapunzel plant is one that grows downwards, so for this, you put it somewhere high up and near a window for the full green waterfall effect.
The best part is you can co-ordinate the plant pots with the rest of the office. If you have a natural feel to this space, you can make sure the plant pots have a natural material. Or, if you have a more minimalist look to the space. Why not opt for Pyrex or clear plastic pots and add some sand or colored soil?
How do you modernize office space?
To modernize an office space, consider incorporating an open concept layout, maximizing natural lighting, using sleek and ergonomic furniture, implementing smart storage solutions, adding technological advancements, incorporating vibrant colors and artwork, integrating greenery, and creating collaborative and flexible work areas.
What makes a modern office look modern?
A modern office typically features an open and flexible layout, ample natural lighting, minimalist and sleek furniture, advanced technology, vibrant colors, creative use of space, incorporation of greenery, collaborative work areas, and a focus on employee well-being and productivity.
11+ years strategic communications, marketing, and project management experience. I am a trainer at StarWood Training Institute, focusing on online courses for project management professionals.
