Businesses rely on innovation now more than ever before; to survive, and thrive, companies must stay ahead of their competition in new and interesting ways. Creativity has perhaps never been so important, and yet many businesses are relying upon the same old office spaces to house such innovation. While it’s certainly true that innovation is born out of hard work, dedication, and creative minds, the spaces in which we operate also have some bearing upon the ideas that we create; those occupying drab, uninspiring offices are unlikely to be as innovative as employees nurtured and supported in a homely, or creative, environment. An innovative office design can, and will, inspire those employed by your company to dedicate more time to projects, and to use their creativity to its full capacity.
If you’re still unsure about the benefits of innovative office design, just look at the spaces we’ve detailed below and prepare to be inspired; there’s never been a better time to reorganize your office space and add a little creativity.
Five of the most innovative office designs you’re likely to encounter
While there are obviously more than five innovative office designs, the approaches listed below are among our favorites. Nothing inspires innovation quite like fun, freedom, and flexibility, as you’ll soon see…
A home from home
One of the best ways to boost productivity and inspire workers is to provide a space in which they’ll feel comfortable and relaxed. If it’s not plausible to increase the number of employees working from home, endeavor to bring their home to them. Some of the most innovative offices in recent years have done just that, introducing oversized furniture, flexible workstations, bold, bright colors, and areas in which employees are encouraged to enjoy impromptu meetings. Fun office spaces breed creativity and inspire innovation, as well as improving efficiency; wherever employees are they’ll be able to knuckle down and work, without feeling as though they’re being forced to do so.
Letting the light in
We all like to feel the sun on our faces from time to time, and offices that make the most of natural light are often the most innovative – and inspiring. Who wants to be cooped up in a gray building with small windows, after all? Consider the ways that you could emphasize the natural light streaming into your workspace; some offices choose to create skylights or atriums, expand their windows to stretch between floor and ceiling, or use folding doors that open out directly onto a patio. To control the flow of natural light in and around your office consider installing window shutters; this inexpensive fix will allow you to let light in when it’s needed, shut it out during presentations, and to control noise coming from the busy streets below. Shutters are also a great way to keep offices warm or cool, depending on what the weather’s doing out there.
The minimalist approach
Some of the most innovative offices we’ve seen are also the simplest, featuring pale color schemes, uncluttered desks, and cool, clean edges that ooze sophistication. There’s an old saying that a tidy room inspires a tidy mind, and it’s certainly true when it comes to your workspace; how many of us can truly innovate and create when our desks are piled with paperwork and surrounded by discarded ideas from long ago? Follow the lead of trendy loft offices by using brilliant white, monochrome, gray, and silver for your décor, and always endeavor to keep trailing wires to a minimum. Ergonomic chairs and desks, plenty of storage to hide personal belongings, files and folders, and electronic equipment, and wide open spaces that encourage free thinking are also a must – keep things clean and tidy and the innovations will follow.
Bringing the outdoors inside
What better way to inspire creativity amongst your employees than to introduce a little of the outdoors inside? This office design could be as simple as purchasing a few larger pot plants or decorating certain areas with earthy, natural color schemes, or as complicated as building sliding doors on ground levels so that workers can pass between the great outdoors and inside as they innovate. Some offices we’ve seen, including those of the Innocent brand in London, have grass inside, with gardens, picnic tables and outdoor games sitting alongside chairs, desks, and break rooms. Designing an office with such a concept in mind involves rich colors and textures, and you may want to add layers of wood, stone, and other materials to further inspire employees.
The community and collaborative approach
Gone are the days when cubicles and private offices were the way forward; these days we want our office spaces to be open and friendly, encouraging collaboration and a sense of community. Free flowing offices without designated chairs and desks are becoming more and more popular, while modular furniture, which can be broken apart and put together with abandon, is a funky way to inspire creativity. Modular desks, for example, can be used as single units or to create one large table that all employees sit around; a great way to share ideas before heading off to your separate projects. When your sofas become an impromptu meeting room during lunch breaks, you know you’re onto a winner.
So, there you have it; just five of the most innovative office designs that could be encouraging and inspiring your teams like never before. Of course, if you’re restricted by your budget there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t incorporate different elements of each design into your own office. Homely chairs, uncluttered desks, bright window shutters, and modular furniture could be used to create fun, innovative spaces with very little effort or money – simply consider how you’d like your new space to work for you.