While a corporate office that is decorated like a traditional corporate office allows workers keep their home and work life separate and can more quickly get them into a working frame of mind, there are limits to everything. An office filled with cubicles can be uninspiring and leave employees dreading coming into the office every day.
The solution to that can be found in creating an environment in which employees can thrive. Here are five ways to make a corporate office feel cozy.
A Cozy Office Begins With the Way the Office is Managed
No amount of art, plants, or sunshine will compensate for the stress caused by a strict and unreasonable boss. Likewise, if a corporate office feels like a corporate office, then employees will likely stay in work mode and will not necessarily be comfortable. Therefore, creating a cozy office starts with the way that the office is managed.
While completing work-related tasks in a timely fashion and according to company standards is essential, employees need to feel comfortable while they’re working if they’re going be productive or feel even remotely cozy. In other words, they need to enjoy coming to work.
Create a Themed Office Setting
One way to make an office feel more comfortable for employees is by switching out the corporate theme for something more appealing. For example, Uneebo is an office interior design firm that can give your office a total overhaul. Some of the design options the company provides include Bohemian, Industrial, Chic, Contemporary, and Mid-Century. The theme you choose for your office can completely change the way employees feel and act while at work as non-corporate chairs, furniture, and desks can immediately make the office feel cozier.
Choose Different Office Furniture
Many office settings are flooded with desks, cubicles, and separated offices. While that’s all well and good, moving away from typical office furniture and organization can be far more comfortable and help to set a stronger tone for collaboration. For example, couches and non-traditional chairs give your employees more options, especially for the people who can’t sit at the same chair and desk all day. On top of providing couches and other types of furniture, a manager needs to be able to encourage workers not to sit at their desks all day, which is actually unhealthy.
Be Flexible with Office Hours
The nine-to-five workday is waning in popularity as more companies are encouraging employees to work when they’re personally most productive. This isn’t always an easy task or strategy to incorporate, as you want your employees to do their best work but you also don’t want them to take advantage and slack off. This takes a mindset shift, trust, and time to adjust for everyone involved. After all, some employees might feel jealous and resentful toward a fellow employee who doesn’t appear to work eight hours a day.
The thing is, everyone works differently and some people finish tasks faster than others. Nonetheless, flexible office hours can make a working environment far more comfortable for employees and managers alike.
Keep the Kitchen Stocked
One of the most important rooms in any office is the kitchen. Keeping it well stocked and clean will go a long way (having hot chocolate available on a cold day has cozy written all over it). Many office kitchens also act as break rooms, which are important because they give employees a place to go when they need to recharge.
To go all out and give your employees everything they need, you can even purchase high-quality European kitchenware for the office kitchen so your employees can cook at work during lunch or simply have the correct utensils for any meal (outletsale.com provides beautiful European kitchenware at a fraction of the price). Good kitchen supplies and a well-stocked kitchen can go a long way in making a corporate office feel cozier.
