Creating a high-end, modern office space does not necessarily follow the “go big or go home” mantra. We know that places like Google and Facebook are notorious for these type of office design featuring slides from one floor to another and actually gardens growing in between their desks, but hey, if your business has the money, why not build that indoor aquarium or golf course you’ve wanted? But the reality is that most of us are trying to make the most of our investment in our office design, while achieving the functionality and productivity that we want from our company. Not everyone tastes a $200 bottle of wine or sees a $50,000 painting the same way. To put it more bluntly, the more expensive something is doesn’t always mean it’s what people like best. There are ways to get a high-end office environment that your employees love without suffering big hits to your budget. We can help.
Pre-owned office furniture can be one of the best ways to save your company significantly when designing your office. It can also provide a lot of headaches if not from a trusted and reliable source. If you’re looking into pre-owned as an option to save money, you want to make sure that the supplier can offer you the high-end quality that will endure a demanding office environment and meet your work needs. For example, since this is a great opportunity to plug our own products, Ethosource supplies only the top brands and names in office furniture where durability and ergonomics are a guarantee from the original manufacturer. In addition, you can rest further assured since everything available for resell has been thoroughly inspected and “refreshed” to meet the needs of the customer. The big plus to this route is that you can also customize workstations or chairs to fit your look with brand new fabrics and finishes of your choosing. The result is a top-notch office design for a low cost.
Businesses are tending to explore various ways to interpret the “open-office” that fits their specific needs. One of the reasons for this is the cost-savings associated with shared workspaces. This is an another way to save on your workplace design if you’re looking for a more connected workflow. Benching-style workstations and low-height dividers can help manage employee privacy while enabling the use of shared lighting, worksurfaces and storage units. With this type of workspace, you can utilize collaborative or huddle rooms for more focused or private group meetings or enable people a quiet place to make phone calls or “get away” from their desk. These areas can be designed in a number of creative ways, whether they are private rooms or actually built from Ethospace tiles and glass. The balance between shared work areas and little privacy hubs could be a cost effective way to enable employees to have everything they need.
To help minimize noise is spaces like this, acoustic tiles are a great way to discreetly incorporate this feature in your normal office layout. They can be utilized in different ways within a more open-cubicle layout, so that you can accomplish the benefits of a distraction-free workspace without high-walls or pricier private offices.
Mobility has also emerged as a significant theme in the world of office furniture. More and more products feature wheels, easy storage and light-weight materials that make them a more flexible option for businesses. They serve multiple uses and can readily be transported to different parts of the office when needed. Mobile storage units provide employees with a place for personal belongings and information to be stored under surfaces or moved if you have common workspaces that host multiple users throughout the day. Training tables can be reconfigured into larger meeting tables or stacked and put away if you have one room that serves a variety of purposes. By having more versatile office furniture, you can better maximize your investment.
Finally, lighting shouldn’t be overlooked as a good way to save money. LED lights emit low-intensity lighting for less energy consumption and longer lifespans. Dimmers can also minimize the energy your office uses through increased control of the intensity, while motion-sensored lighting eliminates any unnecessary energy used throughout the day. For softer and less direct light, reflectors and LED panels are ideal for open areas where the use of the right paint and wall decorations can make a big (inexpensive) difference. These color choices can set a real tone for your design. Lastly, don’t forget about natural light; the cheapest light source of all. Incorporate windows and glass tiles throughout the space to maximize this light source and enjoy the added benefit of a boost in employee moods.
For help with your office furniture design, talk to one of our sales or design professionals for how you can maximize your office investment and create the environment that captivates your company’s culture and style. Contact us to learn more!
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info@ethosource.com