If you’re in charge of your office space, it’s important to have an office that is both functional and comfortable. However, when it comes to making these adjustments, you may not know where to start. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be complicated, and with these nine cheap office renovation ideas, you can start to make your office as functional and as comfortable as possible.
1. Energy Efficiency and Eco-Friendly
First off, your office should be updated to be as energy-efficient and as eco-friendly as possible. This is one of the best cheap office renovation ideas because though it may not be cheap at first, in the long run, you can save a lot of money. If possible, make the most of natural light during the daytime, so that you can cut down on using artificial lighting, which can increase energy consumption. If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your office space, you could consider re-painting it with lighter colors and using mirrors to help reflect more light and illuminate the space.
If you opt for painting your space, try to use VOC-free paints. Low to zero-VOC paints have little or not volatile compounds that can be harmful to both you and the environment.
Controlling your energy usage can also be tied to the insulation in your office and your roofing. A lot of energy can be lost through your roof if it is worn down or poorly insulated. Commercial roofers can inspect your roof and tell you if it is in need of repair or replacement. If you do need a new roof, consider materials that have better insulation, like concrete tiles, metal, terra, cotta, or ceramic. Many of these materials are also eco-friendly, and metal, for instance, can easily be recycled after use.
Additionally, when looking to improve your energy efficiency, you may consider investing in a laptop, rather than a desktop, as they often use less power. However, if this isn’t possible, you should take steps to remember to always shut down everything after each workday to prevent excess power from being consumed. Installing smart outlets in your office and making this process a little easier, as you can shut things off right from your phone.
2. Pest Control
When it comes to cheap office renovation ideas, you should also consider if there is any way pests to make their way inside your office. Pests can not only bring in germs, but some can chew electrical cords and ruin your whole setup.
It’s worth having a pest control professional come in and inspect your office for places that pests could make their way in, such as cracks around windows and doors, or holes in your roof. A pest control professional can help remove any pests that have made their way inside your office, as well as tell you how you can prevent others from getting in. Attics are one of the most common places to find unwelcome guests, and often possum, raccoon, bat, and squirrel removal may be necessary. If there is a hole in your roof, a commercial roofer will be able to shore up these entry points, and insulation professionals can help increase the security in your attic so that you can be sure that nothing unwanted gets in.
3. Create a Comfortable Space for Breaks
When it comes to cheap office renovation ideas, you should consider looking outside of your office as well. While it is important to have a comfortable office space, it’s also important to have some breaks from the desk throughout the day. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling can be just as important as you will undoubtedly be using them every day. Kitchen remodeling services can help create the perfect kitchen for a pre-work breakfast and mid-day lunch. With an updated kitchen, you’ll actually want to spend time in it, and it will make you more likely to take the breaks that you need. It can also help motivate you to spend more time cooking healthy meals that you can enjoy throughout the workweek.
As for bathrooms, since you spend time getting ready in them in the morning and want to relax in them after work. Simple changes like improving the lighting, repainting the walls to be brighter, and installing a tub to unwind in, can help transform your bathroom into a space that you’ll enjoy both before and after work. A commercial plumbing company can easily install a new tub, sink, or shower so that you can get the most out of your bathroom space.
If you have the space, you should also consider cheap office renovation ideas that have to do with improving the exterior of your office, so that you can get some fresh air during your breaks. Being cooped up in your office all day can cause unnecessary stress, and it can make the day feel like it’s dragging on. However, by creating a space where you can relax outdoors for a bit, you can help make the day go faster and reduce your stress levels.
To create an outdoor space, you can either create a small patio area or renovate the patio you currently have. An asphalt contractor can help create the space by re-finishing the patio that you have or creating a small space in your yard. This space doesn’t have to be large or extravagant, even a simple space with a table and chairs that you can enjoy lunch at can make a huge difference when it comes to improving your mood during the day.
4. Improve Your Electrical System
Depending on what you need in your office, updating your office’s electrical system may be necessary. For instance, if you are lacking electrical outlets and instead of relying on overloading power strips to provide electricity for everything that you need, you may want to have additional outlets added. This can not only make everything run easier, but it can make your office much much safer. If high-current devices are plugged into a power strip, they can cause breakers to trip or even electrical fires if the strip overheats. The last thing you want is for something like this to happen during your workday, or worse, at night when you are sleeping.
If your current office isn’t meeting your electrical needs, consider contacting an electric repair company to see what kinds of upgrades can be made.
5. Make It Comfortable
When it comes to cheap office revocation ideas, comfort is important. Just as you want a kitchen and bathroom that is comfortable, your office should be as well. If your office chair isn’t providing the support that you need, you may consider replacing it with one that can provide the amount of comfort that you need to sit for long periods without your back hurting. However, if you currently have a chair that meets your needs but it is getting old, you may consider contacting some commercial upholstery services near you to have it refurbished. This can save you from having to invest in a new chair, and you can extend the life of your current one, which helps reduce waste.
6. Invest In Greenery
Just as getting some fresh air during the day can help boost your mood, so to can adding some greenery to your office. This is one of the best cheap office renovation ideas because simple, easy-to-maintain plants can help add color and vibrancy to your office, making it a livelier place to be. Research has also shown that adding greenery can boost productivity and make you feel happier while in your office. This doesn’t mean that you have to go all out with plant life, but a few can really improve the entire feeling of your space.
7. Smart Technology
Improving your office with smart technology can also be a good idea and it can help make you more productive. For example, you can install smart LED lightbulbs that you can set to run on a schedule so that they automatically come on when you want them to. This can also be customized to make them turn on depending on the weather or even outdoor temperature. Additionally, these lights can be dimmed from your smartphone even if you don’t have a dimmer switch, allowing you to control the amount of lighting throughout the day.
Smart speakers can also be beneficial when you’re brainstorming cheap office renovation ideas, as you can use them to play music, answer questions, or read news stories when you are working. Some of these smart speakers can even be integrated with your lighting so that all you need to do is tell them to turn the lights on or off.
Adding a smart thermostat to your office can also be helpful, especially if you’ve just had your roofing and insulation updated. A smart thermostat can be set to regulate the temperature in your office and your whole office. For instance, you can create a schedule for your system to run it low during the night and turn it on in the morning so that your office space is as comfortable as possible when it’s time to get to work.
8. Consider Your Flooring
When thinking about cheap office renovation ideas, you should also keep your flooring in mind, as some are better for workspaces than others. For example, a carpeted floor can be harder to clean and it can make office chairs harder to move. Replacing the carpet with linoleum wood can help create a more professional feeling, without breaking the bank. This type of flooring is also highly durable, so you won’t have to worry about your chair ruining it if you are constantly rolling over it. However, you can also install a vinyl floor mat under your desk if you really want to protect it.
If you don’t want hard floors throughout your office, you can always utilize rugs to make the space feel cozier and inviting. While it may not be a big change, it can have a big impact on how your office functions.
9. Creative Organization
Lastly, when it comes to cheap office renovation ideas, it’s worth considering organization. Disorganized offices can be both frustrating and uncomfortable. They can also make it easier to lose important documents that may be needed for your work. Updating your organization system can be one of the most important updates that you can consider, and it can help make your workday run much much smoother.
Built-in shelving is one option to consider, although stand-alone shelves are also very beneficial. Cube organizers can also be used, and they can provide a modern look to any office space.
You should also take time to label everything that you need, especially bins, binders, and boxes, that may contain items and things that you need throughout the day. If you use a cube organizer, you can place labels on the outside of each bin to make it easier to know at a glance what is in each one. When labeling everything, take care to ensure that everything is where it should be, and that nothing gets mixed together. Mismatching things like this can make it more difficult to find them if they get left in a bin that they shouldn’t be in.
Additionally, you may also consider placing a file holder on your desk with labeled manila folders to help make your most important documents easy to access. This will ensure that they don’t get lost or mixed up with other things that they shouldn’t. If you keep a binder of important phone numbers and email addresses in this holder, you can also ensure that you always have your important contacts close at hand.
Making The Most Out Of Your Office
When it comes to cheap office renovation ideas, you have a lot of options. However, what you decide on will depend on what you need from your office, as well as what you need to make your workdays easier. Although some of these nine ideas will cost more than others, they are worth keeping in mind and you should always prioritize your renovations by what you need most.
