Having spent a lot of time at home over the past two years, we have realized the importance of having a workspace that brings out the best in us. This is why this year could be the best time to upgrade the office and make it a space where people would love to come to. Renovations and updates are important long-term investments that can add value to your property and can keep it in the best condition.
The views and priorities of workers have shifted but offices are not cutting down on space. As we resume regular in-office hours, there is a growing importance of work-life balance, flexibility, and well-being. If you are planning to improve or upgrade the office space, you will need to keep the priorities of your employees in mind. Here are the 3 updates you might want to consider for your commercial space in 2022.
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1. Hybrid workspaces
A very important change in the past two years has been toward hybrid working. Individuals are now looking for flexibility during work hours and they do not want to commute every day. If you do not accept the new normal, you could end up losing many professionals. Empowering your staff to choose how and when they want to work is important but this does not mean that you need to cut down on the office space. Offices need to be versatile and they should have enough spaces for relaxation, concentration, and collaboration. If you want to upgrade the office space, you need to move towards creating a hybrid workspace. Include areas where the team can relax and have an informal conversation. Include spaces where they can brainstorm ideas. Get rid of the cubicles and allow space for movement. You might also want to include an indoor garden space for the employees to relax and unwind.
2. Ergonomic spaces
Now is the time to bring an end to the endless sitting and create ergonomic spaces that will help improve the health and wellbeing of your employees. There is scientific evidence that sitting for long hours can harm your health and organizations are moving towards creating ergonomic spaces. We will see many offices designed in a similar manner. You can start with commercial hardwood flooring installation and adding the right ergonomic furniture to the space. Consider sit -stand desks or ergonomic chairs. Such spaces allow ease of movement and reduce stress and strain.
Besides ergonomic spaces, you might also want to consider creating a space that helps improve the well-being of your employees. There are several elements you can consider right from the showers to a lunchtime yoga or a staff massage. Organizations are going all out to help with employee well-being and the more you invest in your employees, the higher their productivity will be. Consider perks and initiatives that go beyond the money or stock options, encourage cycling to work, or include fruit and healthy snacks in the pantry. Have a meditation room or a massage room for the employees to relax.
3. Smart building
Upgrading the office does not always have to be about changing the flooring or adding new furniture. Instead, you can invest in the latest technology and create a smart space. We already have smart homes and now is the time to work towards a smart office. Buildings have started to become embedded into the digital work and this trend is here to stay. It is not something that will go away anytime soon. The smart office market is in the growth stage and it is gaining popularity across the world. An important driver of its growth is the digital sensors that help companies make the right decisions. It helps save energy and cost on issues like safety, health, and occupancy. If you want to invest in your office building, this is one upgrade you must consider. It includes everything from a smart office design to using smart technology and devices to ensure high productivity and efficiency.
Upgrading your office should be a crucial decision this year. Since employees are not willing to return to the office and the great resignation has already started, it is time to make the right move towards building a space where employees want to come to, even if it is only for a few days in a week. Organizations across the world are moving towards hybrid working spaces, they are creating spaces that allow employees to work and relax. Such offices attract talent and it makes a huge difference in the long term. Improvements and upgrades to your office are essential and they will pay off in the long run. Set a budget and stick to it, because it could be tempting to go overboard.
