While working from home is lovely, offices are still essential. Customers and partners are more comfortable meeting in a professional environment. Online conversations are not enough for them, so you have to make your offices ready. But the pandemic has changed many things, so you should be prepared to do some renovations to make your office more welcoming and comfortable. Here are a few ideas.
Bring the light in
It is always a good idea to have better lighting. However, the key thing to focus on is natural light. Sunlight from outside is better than artificial lights because it gives your employees a big boost for their health. In addition, it is a natural disinfectant and boosts vitamin D production in the body. Consider getting a Crittall replacement window if you had small windows before the pandemic. Crittall windows are an excellent addition to any office for several reasons. For exterior use, the steel-framed windows are very robust against environmental damage. They also let in a lot of natural light, more than normal windows. If you request specific double glazing for the glass, then you can ensure that it is more energy-efficient.
Improve the layout
Your office might also need a complete layout change. If your office had people close together before the pandemic, it is time to give them some space. Your goal is now to give everyone enough distance to not breathe at each other every day. It sounds like a challenge, but a new work schedule can help. For example, having half your team working from home every other day can clear desks so that the office can have fewer people. As for potential layouts, aim for maximum space while also adding dividers. A more spread-out cubicle farm would be the optimal result of your changes. Another exciting layout change would be setting aside specific areas for deliveries and visitors. It allows for controlled contact with people outside the office.
Install some new technologies
Modern technologies can also be a big help in ensuring that your office is a better place to work in. For example, the addition of sensor technology is a good idea. Automatic doors mean that employees don’t have to touch door handles, while automatic faucets reduce another point of contact. It would help if you also consider installing more screens and cameras in meeting rooms. This upgrade allows your work-from-home employees to participate in meetings beyond the usual digital ones.
Upgrade your HVAC system
A significant change that you should make is upgrading your HVAC system. Unless it is entirely new, your HVAC system needs to adapt to the new realities of post-pandemic life. A helpful upgrade would be improved filtration. This change ensures that air coming in from the outside is as clean as possible. Combined with smoother ventilation, the air quality in your office will experience an improvement. You can even consider installing air purifiers as another layer of defence. The upgrade can also make your HVAC system more energy-efficient, which results in more future savings.
COVID changed the world, and your office needs to change with it. The renovations above should help make your office a better place to work in after the pandemic. While they may cost you some money, it is better to consider them an investment.
