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Erika Remmington
Erika Remmington has written 3 articles for SB Informer.
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Improving your Business Image: 5 Steps to Making Your Office Space More Professional

Erika Remmington

April 16, 2014


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Although few will admit it, supervisors and customers alike judge a business by its appearance. Cluttered, messy, or just plain dirty offices suggest that someone is unprofessional. If you want to maintain a reputation for professional, high quality work, a professional office space is a must. Read on for 5 tips to create a professional office space.

Choose the Right Furniture

When selecting furniture, keep your industry and clients in mind. Professionals in technical or creative roles might prefer contemporary glass and steel furniture. Wood desks can be a good choice for professionals in more traditional roles. Look for details like wood inlays, carvings, and elegant cabinet knobs, which are often associated with executive office furniture.

Use Area Rugs or Tiles to Define Office Spaces

Open office floor plans break down traditional barriers like individual offices, walls, and doors. Use rugs or tiles as boundaries between different work areas. Select contrasting colors to highlight personal work spaces or meeting areas. Remember to consider the quality, color, and use of a carpet. Cut pile carpets tend to be softer and more luxurious than simple loop carpets. Padding helps to cut down on noise. These details signal that you and your business are professionals.

Invest in the Right Lighting

Many offices have little natural light or overhead florescent lights. A well-lit office space looks larger and more professional than a dim one. Place your desk to one side of a window to allow daylight into the office and keep glare off of your computer screen. Task lighting like desktop lamps or adjustable standing lamps are also excellent options for lighting up an office. Consider the style as well as functionality, and choose lamps with classic finishes like brushed nickel or bronze.

Minimize Office Clutter

Many professionals make the mistake of allowing paperwork to pile up on their desk. These untidy offices make people look disorganized and can make people less productive. One way to tackle clutter is to divide your office into zones according to common uses. Common workplace zones include a filling cabinet for old projects and a storage area for office supplies. Use desktops only for current projects.

Go wireless

Tangled printer cords and disorderly computer cables can detract from an office's professional appearance. To combat this problem, go wireless or invest in a cable management solution. Many peripherals like printers and scanners can connect to your computer via WiFi. Computer mice and keyboards also have wireless options that can help to cut down on cluttered cords. If your office has lots of cables, you may want to consider zip ties, Velcro cable ties or another cable management solution.

A professional office can still include personal items. When decorating, remember that less is more. To maintain a professional look, select just a few photographs, memorabilia, or accent pieces.

Informational credit to  Manasota Flooring Inc. Brandenton, Florida


                   



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