From the perspective of your clients, an outdated environment means outdated practices and capabilities. But, it’s not all about appearances – having an outdated workplace can also drag down your team’s potential and efficiency.
One of the first ways customers will interpret your company’s pride and enthusiasm is through how up-to-date your facilities are. If you want employees and clients to know you care about keeping your business cutting-edge, then give them a space that demonstrates it.
Here’s our list of simple, yet impactful ways you can add modern touches to an outdated workspace:
Freshen Up Your Walls and Floor
The walls and floors account for the most space in a room, so unsurprisingly, they play a big role in influencing appearance. If your walls and floors are an old, out-dated colour, or carry a lot of scuffs and wear from years passed, then giving these two things an update will carry a big impact.
A fresh coat of paint, accent walls, new carpet, or a chic area rug are some ways you can perk up your walls and floor. If your budget allows, look into more trendy surface materials such as bamboo, recycled glass, or marble tiles.
Update Your Equipment and Technology
Upgrading the tools you use is a great way of energizing your team and making workplace procedures more agile. Using outdated technology not only makes a place look dated, but it can also hinder the effectiveness of your employees.
Priority should always be given to the equipment you use to work in your space. This includes presentation tools, software, computers, and what you use to send and receive information. These upgrades will keep workflow profitable and show clients you’re leaders in your industry.
Try New Lighting Fixtures
Lighting has come a long way from the fluorescent tube ceiling lights that were once common in every office setting. With all the options available today, there’s no excuse to have outdated lights.
You can easily give your office space a modern look while improving light quality by updating to contemporary light fixtures. Pendant lights or stylish ceiling fans can also serve as statement pieces and double as pieces of art. Recessed light fixtures are also popular choices in modern interiors and will give your office a clean, linear appearance.
Add Some Colour
It’s much more common to see companies going bolder with colour and straying away from the typical, conservative business colours of greys, brown, or navy blue. If your colour scheme is stuck in the past and making your space feel drab, there are numerous ways you can work in new colours to liven up your space.
You can add colour with accent chairs or throw pillows in the lobby, pieces of art that features bold shades, light fixtures, or making different rooms brighter paint colours. Incorporating the colours used in your logo is another way of strengthening brand identity.
Get Rid of Clutter
Modern interiors are defined by their sleek and spacious designs, and their focus on function and organization, which means that clutter is counterintuitive to creating a modern looking work space.
By removing out-of-date materials and finding a solution to your clutter, you’ll create the simple look found in modern spaces, and eliminate the feeling of “chaos” that employees find difficult to work in.
Include Pieces of Art
Bare walls can feel uninviting, but just adding some artwork can really give life and energy to your office or lobby. Even if your goal is to create a minimalistic environment, hanging a piece of modern art can give it a personal touch that it needs to feel more inviting and less bare.
An important part of choosing art is considering the subject matter and mood it evokes. Avoid dreary landscapes, drab colours, or anything that looks somber. You want art that either looks serene, or bright and stimulating depending on what kind of business you run.
A cutting-edge interior goes beyond first impressions – it improves the daily processes of your workplace and builds the faith of your customers. Implementing just a few of these changes into your workplace could be exactly what you need to inspire confidence in clients and make your staff feel more energized and productive
