4 tips for a summer-ready office design.

Admittedly, when the sun is shining brightly, a day at the office can sometimes feel a bit somber. You would much rather head outside than stay tucked away behind your desk. However, sunbathing all summer long is not exactly productive. After all, there is work to be done. What if you made the indoors just as attractive as the outdoors? All it takes are a few small tweaks to make your office design shine. With these four tips, summer will soon arrive at the office too!

1. A tidy space is a tidy mind

It is a common tip from mindfulness coaches and Marie Kondo gurus, but a tidy office truly ensures more peace of mind. This allows you to work more efficiently and perhaps even finish an hour earlier on a sunny day. Sound interesting? Get rid of those stacks of paper on your desk; a clean desk it is! Filing and sorting is key: closed files can simply go back into the cabinet. Dispose of items you no longer need.

Our advice: organize a collective cleanup moment. This way, the entire office will look impeccable in no time. Moreover, such an informal ‘decluttering day’ is beneficial for the team spirit.

2. Consider and rearrange

Many people are returning to the office this summer after a long period of working from home. This likely requires some reorganization. Does everyone still have a fixed spot, and is there room for new colleagues? Perhaps the new way of working has created different needs among employees, such as a demand for more ‘focus rooms’ and collaboration spaces rather than just desks. The most important question: do you stick to traditional office design or do you evolve toward the office as a ‘meeting space’?

A recurring trend in our latest projects is the increased attention to an inspiring outdoor space. Due to the pandemic, we (re)discovered the importance of a functional outdoor area. A deserted terrace or courtyard can serve perfectly during the summer months as a pleasant outdoor zone where employees can work, meet, or have lunch. Curious about how you can transform your outdoor space into an inviting and productive place? We would be happy to provide you with some no-obligation ideas.

3. Give your office design a refresh

A change is as good as a rest, and the same applies to the office. Occasionally changing your office decor is both inspiring and productive. A new coat of paint or colorful wallpaper on the wall immediately gives the room a different look and feel. Trendy and playful seating elements brighten up a dull meeting room, and you are sure to impress with original wall decorations. Fill your new space with a few cheerful green plants and you will notice it immediately: the work seems to happen by itself.

Important tip: do not lose sight of ergonomics and well-being during your summer makeover. A workplace should not only be beautiful and fun, but above all functional and comfortable.

4. Keep the heat out

You are only truly ready for summer when you also prepare your office design for the upcoming heat. While a relaxing sauna every now and then might be healthy, you would rather keep a cool head at work. There are many options for providing cooling: from sunshades and fans to air conditioning and sustainable climate control systems.

You can read about which system is most suitable for which space in our next blog. Can’t wait? Fill the freezer with delicious ice creams to get through the first weeks of the summer months unscathed, or contact us for no-obligation advice.