Due to the shift in the work culture brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, workers are now used to working from the comfort of their homes. This new work culture continues to rise in popularity and will likely stay for the near future. In a bid to keep up with these developments, companies are now looking for new ways to accommodate this new shift, and one is to make the office the second home by implementing a home-like office interior design. But the question lingers, is it a good idea to go with this strategy? 

Do We Really Want an Office-Home?

Before we get into the how-to’s, let us first discuss the issue of whether implementing this measure is a good choice after all. 

The short answer to this is, for us, a resounding yes. To a great extent, an office interior design with elements of a home will benefit your workforce and your business by raising employee satisfaction from the increased sense of comfort and reduction in stress and anxiety associated with a traditional office environment. These benefits helps better employee mental health which we believe strongly increases productivity levels. 

It is crucial, however, that we have to be careful not to go to the extreme of making it exactly like a home, which can create distractions and hinder work performance. For example, by having furniture that is too comfortable – home furniture that are used by homeowners to wind-down will not be appropriate for the office if what your objective is for a quick recharge. Therefore, the key is balance. You want to pick some aspects of the home that can help boost creativity, reduce anxiety and improve your mental health and avoid those that can create distractions. 

Also we need to be mindful that office furniture is made to withstand very frequent usage by many people so selection must be based on high resistance to wear and tear and for high usage. 

How To Create a Homey Office Design?

Pinpointing the right features to add to your overall office interior design should be a priority in your office space planning. Here are some of the most significant ones you shouldn’t miss.  

Layout and Rooms

Before focusing on the details of office interior design, let’s zoom out and take a look at your office’s layout and rooms to see what you can add or change. For those who have the benefit of choosing a new office space, great. You have the freedom to look for a space that suits your needs. However, for those who don’t have that option, you can still make some adjustments to your spaces by carefully redesigning it. 

A home-like office environment is one that is cosy, a little informal, and has non-standard spaces in the office. You want your employees to be excited about going to the office, and that’s what a homey working environment is all about! Therefore, you need to ignite this excitement by adding non-standard rooms such as a break room that transports them to the full multimedia entertainment room you might see at home, a pantry that is a full kitchen that mimics the one at home or cosy meeting/brainstorming rooms with comfortable couches and bean bags to introduce a sense of informality so that ideas are articulated easily without barriers.

This may seem like a big project to do. However, there are some simple but yet effective ways you can achieve that without making major changes in the office. The key is to maximise the space you have in your break room. For example, using unused corners to have a smart storage system to organise your snacks and utensils. You can also put the empty walls to use. Add some floating shelves as storage as well as for putting decoration. And lastly, choose the right colour palette and add some texture (we’ll talk about this in our next point). 

Learn more about creating the optimal breakroom by reading our article here. 

Colours and Textures

The goal of your homey office interior design is to move away from the standard look of a conventional corporate office and limit the culture shock when employees move from working from home back to the office. This is because the traditional office interior design can feel sterile and uninviting, and more people are not drawn to this anymore. 

One effective way to accomplish the feel of home is by choosing the right colour palettes. So instead of just white and neutral colours, pick warm colours and add more intimate elements such as wood as opposed to metals. Choosing the right colours can significantly put  your workers’ minds at ease, improve their mood, and enhance focus. 

Next, adding some textures to your workplace is another step to make it less dull. In interior design, texture is much more than just the feel, but also about visual texture. When you add different textural elements in a room, that specific area will instantly look more alive and vibrant, as well as feel warmer and more comfortable. 

Add textures by changing your office flooring to mimic that at home, such as carpets and rugs. Keep in mind to opt for a functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing office flooring system. 

When choosing the floor, the choices are abundant. So, here’s an article about flooring to help you decide. 

Furniture

You’re probably familiar with office furniture, and that is, almost all rooms and departments have identical office chairs and desks. 

To create a home-like environment in your workplace, you want to do the opposite. Of course, you’ll still want to have ergonomical office furniture in place because they’re effective in enhancing work performance and good for posture and overall health. However, you also need to spice things up and add more furniture that feels more like home. 

Think about what kind of vibe you want to create and use the right colours to enhance the feel. For example, if fun and comfortable is what you’re after, some bright blue and green bean bags can help you achieve that goal. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, textures also help in realizing the environment you desire. Opt for materials like wood and stone that’ll give the room more depth and warmth. 

An interesting-looking office, apart from location, can help attract top talent and at the same time, prevent a high turnover rate. 

Decor 

Last but not least, add small but impactful items such as decorations. These decorations can include things such as art pieces, plants, and also lighting features. Artwork is a brilliant idea to add because they’re useful in many ways: elevating the workplace environment, improving health and performance, and conveying your brand’s value.  Furthermore, adding some greens, for example, can help improve the air and is relaxing as well.

Lighting is equally an essential feature of any office. A lot of it has to do with improving visuals and, in effect, creating a healthier working environment. Furthermore, don’t rule out natural light! Open up the windows and let that sunshine in. With proper lighting, you can promote all-around wellness in your workplace.  

Read more about lighting effectiveness in the office here. 

Consult With Your Employees

Did you know that getting your employees involved in some of the decision-making process can give them a sense of control and responsibility of their work enironment, improve their morale, and as a result, perform better?

Now, we know for a fact that everyone’s taste is different, and this is no different with office interior design styles. So what’s homey to others might not be the case for us. Nevertheless, we can still achieve a homey environment by incorporating items and designs that are more general. So, in other words, those elements that can be found in most homes, and that can work well for everyone. On top of that, go directly to the source for some feedback on the design. Since your workforce is the one who will be using the office, ask for their opinions and get a consensus. Agree on things that can work for everyone. Their input will be very helpful in your home-like office interior design. 

As you can guess, creating a home-like environment in the workplace requires a competent and trustable team. If you’re still looking for one, you’re in the right place. SORDC is an experienced and skilled office renovation company that has what it takes to create the best workplace for your business. Let us know what your plans are, and we’ll make sure to give you the result you’ve always desired!