Style isn’t always something that gets priority in the design of business premises like offices and factories. While newly built property may have architectural flair, many older buildings are essentially devoid of much in the way of design merit. If your business premises are unappealing and dull, is there anything you can do to give them a touch of style – and does it matter anyway?
First things first. Yes, it does matter what your premises look like for two reasons:
- It makes a difference to the way prospective clients respond to your business. Tatty or utilitarian premises that have no design flair don’t make a good first impression. It might not matter to clients who already know how good your business is, but it can make it more difficult to secure new clients. Arriving at a workplace that looks smart and inviting, and has at least a few design features that show it’s a well-cared for and valued property, is going to make it much easier to attract paying customers.
- It makes a difference to you and your employees. Arriving for work and seeing a pleasing frontage, with a well-laid-out interior that fulfills the needs of your staff in terms of comfort, usability, and aesthetics makes for a far happier and more relaxed workforce. That matters a great deal, because staff are the backbone of your business, and attracting, retaining, and motivating good staff is key to a successful business.
When you’re looking at ways to add style to your premises, start with areas like floors and walls. If your carpet is old-fashioned or getting worn, or you have a bare concrete floor that looks dull and unfinished, you could use concrete epoxy coating to create a bright, smart, and safe flooring that lasts a lifetime. Add your own design flair by using a novel color for your flooring, or selecting a range of colors and finishes.
New floors brighten and lift the whole space, andyou can complete the basic transformation processvby decorating the walls and ceilings. Go bold with striking colors and patterns, or keep it cool and classy with a range of pastels if it suits your environment and your business better. New blinds on the windows will complete the basic palette and add a touch of design flair.
You can also add features like statuary, artwork, and even plants to add interest, disguise uglier parts of the building, and demonstrate your artistic side. You don’t have to invest in buying these items, there are a growing number of outlets that hire out all kinds of furniture and decorative pieces, making it easier and more cost-effective to dress up your premises – and ring the changes now and again.
It’s not always possible to turn an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan, so the extent to which you can improve the appearance of your business premises may be limited in some ways. After all, you can’t do a lot about the fundamental architecture and design of the building. However,by considering this guide, you can make a tremendous difference with some carefully chosen additions and alterations.
Images from Funtasty Offices by Studio Perspektiv – See the full story here
