Summer is finally in full force and after an unbearable winter, the temps are higher than ever! You may be spending most of your days inside the office, but there’s no reason to feel like you’re totally missing out on the most fun season of the year. We’re here to help with a couple of ways to get the most out of summer time!
Collaborate
We tend to be more social when the weather is nice and we aren’t waking up before the sun is shining. You should take advantage of this by having more meetings with coworkers. Collaborate with others more often to feed off of each other’s ideas and energy. Interacting with one another in brainstorms or social aspects boosts morale between employees while still helping accomplish what needs to be done. There’s a lot of opportunity to make the gatherings fit the summer theme. I suggest a Rita’s bucket of Italian Ice to really get employees hyped or simply having your meeting outside. Maybe one day you can plan a fun Happy Hour that everyone can look forward to during the week. In a recent article, 4 Reasons to Grab a Drink with your Employees, Inc. shares the benefits of post-work gatherings, for employees and employers. Summer is the best time to be social!
Take Breaks
It’s not uncommon to get into productivity slumps during the summer, especially when you’re counting down the days until vacation or trying to regain focus once they’re over and you’re back at work. We recommend getting up and moving during your work breaks. Don’t spend those 15 minutes checking social media, but get up out of your chair and give your legs and back the good stretch it needs. It’ll also inevitably get the creative juices following and your work ethic back on track. Take a walk outside for a few minutes or say hello to a coworker. The more you stay secluded in your space, the harder it’ll be to keep trudging along day after day. For more ideas on how to maximize your work breaks, check out Huffington Post’s You’ve Been Taking Breaks All Wrong. Here’s How To Do It Right.
COLORS!
The more colors you can splash into your office, the more like summer it’ll feel! Swap out your old chair for a new one with a bright fabric or patterns that will set the tone for the office. Try some colorful little desk accents such as picture frames, staplers, pencil holders, or whatever else will do the trick. Get organized with a colorful new filing system or storage unit. To make Summer last all year long, look into lighter toned work surfaces, and get creative with the fabric coverings on your next cubicle systems. Bright, fun accent tiles will enhance any office space, as well as the moods of hardworking employees!
Don’t Block the Light
The best part about summer is the absence of the dark, dingy feeling that lingers from a cold winter. Even if you’re inside, you can still enjoy the long, bright days of summer through open window and glass tiles that allow natural light to sneak into your station and brighten your space. Don’t block windows with full-privacy cubicles, but instead let us design your stations to include open panels that frame windows or keep an open layout to allow lots of light. Lower-height or benching style workstations could also situate nicely under windows to keep your office bright. 
Get Out!
This one can really work hand in hand with any of aforementioned, but make sure you leave the office from time to time! Whether it’s during work breaks, at lunch or for a meeting, just try to get out and reap the benefits of a beautiful day. A little fresh air can go a long way in helping rejuvenate you when it’s time to get back to work. Winter is the only time you should really be stuck inside, so use some of these tips to help your office feel more summery, but make sure you get out there to enjoy the weather too!