Recent years have seen a move away from traditional office spaces which have been replaced by more social ways of working.

Many recent co-working spaces set up in Singapore offer the same type of set-up, with large open-plan areas and few segregated offices. As well as making the most of the space available, previous research suggested this had many other advantages too.

However, before you get ready to break down the walls and create one big co-working space for all your employees, it might be worth doing a little more research. Concepts such as hot-desking and open-plan seating have captured the imagination of Singaporean businesses but have they proven to be a success?

Recent studies have suggested that open-plan offices don’t suit everyone and could be more of a hindrance than a help. We take a closer look at whether the modern ideals of open-plan interior design really deliver the best results for business.

The Rise of The Open Office Space

The theory of open office spaces seems solid; creating a communal area where it’s easier for workers to collaborate and share ideas. One best-selling book declares, “We encourage people to stay out in the open because we believe in serendipity and people walking by and teaching each other new things.”

The idea is that interconnected areas will work in a much more fluid way with more spontaneous communication and a natural flow.

The above theory has led to many more offices redesigning their space to become open-plan. In some areas, as many as 80% are open-plan offices now. Hot-desking often goes hand-in-hand with an open-plan design, with no assigned desks and workers free to sit somewhere different every day.

It may sound like an interesting principle, but how has open plan office interior design worked out in practice?

A Contradictory Effect

Although the idea is that an open-plan office will increase socialisation, research has shown that the reverse appears to be true.

One study from a group of psychologists found that the forced levels of interaction and lack of privacy led workers to withdraw, an unconscious effort to create the personal space that was lacking physically. Another reason for the drop in communication was that many workers felt overwhelmed by an open-plan environment, becoming overstimulated by the proximity of so many people.

The quality of friendships suffered too, with a lack of intimacy compared to workers where the space was split into smaller offices. Hot-desking made matters worse, removing the opportunities to form more than just a casual acquaintance.

To put this into perspective: one group of employees reduced the amount of time they spent interacting with their colleagues every day face-to-face by 67% when they moved to an open office space. Another observed group went from interacting for 5.8 hours every day to just 1.8 hours. The statistics are startling.

But does less socialisation really matter and is there any correlation with quality of work and performance?

A Drop in Performance

As it turns out, a drop in communication and collaboration also impacts on performance. In study after study, the results revealed that performance and productivity were both poorer within an open-plan space.

The biggest study of its kind, published in the prestigious Journal of Environmental Psychology, found that enclosed offices outperformed open-plan offices in every way with the perceived benefit of easier interaction being vastly outweighed by the negatives.

The noise of everyone in one large office appears to be another factor that can’t be sidestepped; even the best acoustics can’t circumvent the sound of a lot of activity. Disturbances weren’t limited to sounds either; constant movement around the peripheral vision or colleagues coming and going was found to be profoundly distracting.

In laboratory tests, those working in open-plan offices were found to have reduced cognitive performance and with poorer mental acuity. Motivation and creativity were stifled too and the more senior the employee, the more pronounced the effect seemed to become.

Productivity in open-plan offices is also adversely affected by absenteeism; the more people in the space, the greater the level of sickness. Reports suggest that large open-plan offices increase the amount of sick leave by up to 62%.

Accommodating Diversity

Aside from performance and interpersonal relations, there are other factors to consider too. Singapore has a reputation for being a society which has positive racial and religious integration, with a diversity in the workplace which is particularly harmonious.

This focus has been recognised by the Singaporean government, with Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Health, Amy Khor saying, “Embracing racial harmony is integral to Singapore’s progress. It is imperative that businesses instil the right values to promote inclusiveness and communal harmony at workplaces.”

Many employers in Singapore have warmly embraced the idea of inclusive practice which means accommodating different secular needs throughout the working day. While not legally required, for many employers this has meant providing a private area for religious purposes. For employees who wish to conduct religious practices during the day, the ability to do so respectfully and in an appropriate area is a significant benefit.

In an open-plan office, it’s not as easy to create these types of spaces, whether they’re for religious purposes or another reason. Offices with an enclosed layout enables the inclusion of these spaces in a more discreet way, allowing access as necessary. Therefore, for interior design in Singapore, an open plan office may not be ideal.

An Acceptable Solution

Almost universally, every study and survey seems to suggest that workers simply aren’t as happy or productive in an environment where they’re forced into a goldfish bowl with everyone else. Privacy produces improved performance but for the majority of businesses, it’s simply not possible to provide everyone with their own space. Open-plan offices are significantly cheaper too and are more economical with space, so what’s the solution?

The way forward may be to take the best of both designs. A hub-and-spoke design provides smaller and more intimate areas for employees to work, leading out to communal areas which encourage collaboration and interaction. By re-designing the office space to take the needs of both employer and employee into account, the end result could be very beneficial for all concerned.

When working on office interior design, the interior design professional has to overcome a number of challenges. Some of these stem from the different personalities and the needs of the people employed by the respective organisation.

Interior design in Singapore in recent years has been geared towards collaboration and agility like open spaces and solutions that encourage easy, free and constant communication. These will appeal to extroverts most as they would probably like spending time in the company of their co-workers. Experienced interior design professionals, however, know that the best solutions create balance and take the needs of introverts in consideration, as well.

Is it possible to build an office that will make both introverts and extroverts feel comfortable? The short answer is “yes.” Flexibility and multi-purpose design can be used to accomplish the goal.

Customised Spaces That Enhance Productivity

Universal office interior design solutions that address the needs of all businesses don’t exist. Rather, interior design companies have to acquaint themselves with the nature of the work and the types of professionals employed.

A person that carries out thorough technical analysis will need peacefulness and seclusion in order to do a good job. Marketing professionals, on the other hand, will be pursuing collaboration opportunities with the other departments.

The best office interior will feature custom-created spaces that encourage the execution of different kinds of tasks.

There’s no need to have fixed spaces for every single department or team member, that can get expensive. Rather, good design will envision customised spaces that can be utilised to perform specific tasks, focus, collaborate, relax or do effective brainstorming.

By featuring both seclusion and collaboration areas, the office will also address the needs of both introverts and extroverts working there.

Acoustics and Sound-Related Interior Design

The layout of the venue and the materials used to craft the interior will be determining for the acoustics and the propagation of the sound. Sound considerations are incredibly important for the creation of the right corporate environment.

Too much noise can be a problem. Acoustic panels, carpets, cork dashboards and other accessories that “absorb” sound are a great choice for absorbing the noise. These are especially needed in the case of open floor plans.

Even extroverted workers will be distracted by too much noise. Thus, design will ensure that communication is going to take place without distracting people from the work that they’re doing.

The old cubicle is far from the best choice when it comes to sound blocking. While introverts like the silence and the seclusion, the cubicle design is going to make them feel isolated from the team. Movable partitions, plant walls and even strategic curtain placement can be used to create little isles of silence. At the same time, the worker will not feel as isolated as in the case of being physically separated from others via walls.

Carry Out Surveys and Observe the Work Dynamics

The best way to determine what your employees want is observation. You can also carry out a survey to get a better idea about the specific needs of different workers.

The iconic Google Zurich headquarters resulted precisely from such type of feedback collected from the employees. The resulting interior design is flexible enough to accommodate everybody’s needs.

As a result of the survey, the Google managers found out that their workers need a diverse environment that also makes work fun. The importance of personal space was high but people were even more interested in getting quality communal areas.

The survey produced an office with common spaces that are easy to reach and an array of work stations/desks. Thus, collaboration is prioritised without underestimating the preferences of introverts and the manner in which they work.

Do a lot of observation before getting started on a renovation project or on designing your new office. It may also be a good idea to invite the interior design team to the venue. By getting acquainted with office dynamics, interior designers can make suggestions that are based on the actual strengths and the challenges that the team faces on a daily basis.

Pods and Innovative Personal Spaces

The open floor plan can be maintained without reducing opportunities for seclusion. Luckily, contemporary furniture and accessories can be used to make the office space much more flexible than ever before.

The installation of personal seclusion pods in the office is just one example of how introverts could be given a chance to be on their own.

Little nooks and crannies could also be utilised for the purpose of giving introverts a chance to focus without being disturbed by others. Such office spaces need to be labelled and designated clearly so that everyone is aware of their function.

Pre-fabricated rooms are also a good choice. These can easily be “dropped” inside a Singapore office that features an open floor plan. These separate spaces are ideal for those who seek solitude. The market features an array of such possibilities that come in soothing colours and that also feature autonomous lights.

Thus, even if you already have finished work on your office interior design, there are possibilities for additional small modifications in the future. There’s no need to start from scratch and you can base the decisions on the current dynamics you’re observing.

The best offices feature balanced environment and a number of choices for the employees. Don’t be afraid to seek feedback from the employees, especially if you plan to do a major commercial renovation. Nobody knows the process better than the people employed by the company. They may make suggestions that managers would have never thought of.

Choosing the right interior design team for the execution of the project will also be determining for staff happiness. Singapore interior design companies like Home Guide have extensive experience in the field of office projects. We know what it takes to create ideal spaces for different industries and for an array of businesses. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us together and we’ll be more than happy to help you conceptualise the perfect flexible space for your organisation.

A cool, beautiful and modern office will help you establish the right image for your business. This image is important when interacting with clients, hiring new professionals and attempting to motivate the current team. Unfortunately, beautiful office interior design is perceived by many as too costly. Small companies and start-ups give up on the dream of having the ideal working space because of the perceived expenditure.

Cool office interior design does not have to be expensive in order to look great. A functional, modern working space can be achieved in a cost-efficient way if you’re willing to put some creativity in the process.

Reconsider the Standard Office Setup

Experienced office interior design experts will always focus on personalisation. There’s a simple reason why an individual approach will be required – no two clients are the same.

When doing office design, you will probably stick to a standard layout. Do you really need to? Eliminating certain parts of the standard workspace can reduce the cost of execution and help you focus on the areas that matter the most.

Does your business need a reception area?

If you are welcoming clients or business partners to your office, a reception area will be a necessity. For many businesses, however, client meetings and other encounters will be taken out of the office environment. In such instances, there is no need to have a reception area.

The same applies to the standard cubicle or individual office design. Moving to an open space can give you that modern vibe and also reduce the cost of design execution. There will still be opportunities for the creation of secluded spaces. Movable partitions and even curtains can be used to divide a large space into smaller areas. The outcome will look neat and there’s an added bonus – flexibility.

Rely on Colour to Set the Mood

A coat of paint is one of the simplest options when it comes to completely transforming a space.

If you want to change the appearance of your office quickly and frugally, change the colour of the walls. A bright splash of a vibrant tone will make the space appear much more welcoming and youthful. When in doubt, talk to an experienced interior design company in Singapore like Home Guide, we will give you some ideas about the manner in which colours could impact the work process.

The selection of the right colour will also depend on the industry you operate in and the types of services you offer.

A company that offers creative solutions to its clients can certainly go brighter and bolder. Colours like purple, yellow and orange will serve as a source of inspiration and they’ll also increase the fun factor linked to spending time in the office.

Blues and greens are linked to a sense of dependability and trust. These colours are best for businesses that offer professional services like finance, accounting and consultancy. Obviously, a colour combo of several tones will look much more intriguing than a single block of colour. Patterns and geometric shapes can contribute to visual appeal while also reducing the need for the purchase of accessories and decorative elements.

Be Flexible and Multi-Functional

Flexible two-in-one solutions make a lot of sense for companies that want a good outcome and that are also looking to minimise the cost of interior design.

Multi-purpose furniture is a great choice. A desk that doubles as a storage unit will eliminate the need for the acquisition of two individual pieces. If you do a bit of research, you will come across dozens of smart and creative office solutions.

You should always be thinking about change when working on office interior design. Companies do not remain static through the years. An eventual expansion can be quite costly. Having to move to a different office will also be expensive if you don’t have multi-purpose pieces that will fit any kind of room or space.

Apart from furniture, consider flexible technological solutions and partitions. Fixed solutions are the costliest ones out there. The business world today is quite dynamic and change can be expected in months rather than years. If you commit to fixed interior design choices, you will have to spend on remodelling from scratch upon a future change.

Always Choose Green Solutions

Sometimes, you may have to spend a bit more on interior design in advance for the purpose of decreasing future expenditure.

Going green is an example of the above statement.

Energy-efficient and environment-friendly solutions tend to be costlier than their traditional counterparts. Such products, however, will pay themselves off rather quickly in the form of utility bill reduction.

Something as simple as going for energy-efficient lightbulbs can save you a lot of money over the course of one year. In addition, you will be establishing an innovative, sustainable and conscious brand. Green choices will build your reputation and help you grow your company.

Air conditioning, water conservation fixtures and green kitchen equipment can make a massive difference. If you can spend a bit more on the office interior design or a renovation, you should opt for such products.

Space is often wasted or under-utilised, which can be detrimental for a business. An office remodelling or renovation project is a great choice, regardless of the size of your company or the amount you can afford to spend on the execution. Eventually, you will benefit from this choice, especially if you opt for professional execution.

Companies like Home Guide can help you carry out a cost-efficient and 100 per cent personalised office renovation project.

We have worked with representatives of multiple industries through the years and we’ve changed the way in which their office looks. Don’t hesitate to explore our portfolio to get a better idea about the work that we do. Alternatively, get in touch with Home Guide to ask us questions and schedule a consultation.

Working at an office for at least eight hours per day promotes a sedentary lifestyle. The lack of exercise is bad for one’s health and it could also contribute to subpar professional performance.

If you’re planning for a new office interior design and carry out a remodelling project, you should consider ways to encourage activity. Choosing the right furniture and a few other clever considerations will enable employees to become more active, happier and more productive.

Posture Improvement Stools Are an Essential

Singapore interior designers who have sufficient experience with modern office projects will suggest furniture that is especially designed for the purpose of maintaining activity levels. The replacement of traditional office chairs with exercise balls is one such choice. A pilates ball works the core and the back. It promotes good posture while a person is working on a computer.

The same applies to posture improvement stools. These are a great choice for the kitchen, a chill-out area or a meeting room.

Posture improvement stools work in a manner similar to the pilates ball. It is a piece of furniture designed for passive workout. The core will be activated and the stool can also contribute to better posture. The only downsides of such stools are that they’re not suitable for day-long use and they’re also not ideal for working on a desk (whether traditional or standing).

Placing Ellipticals Under the Desks

When working with your Singapore interior design company, you should also consider the acquisition of basic gym equipment that will work well in office settings.

Weights are a great choice for every office. They come in a range of colours and weights, they don’t occupy a lot of space and they can be used to do a range of basic exercises while sitting at a desk or moving around in the office.

Minimalist elliptical machines are another great choice. These are designed for placement under the desk, enabling activity throughout the day. Ellipticals are very silent and they will not interfere with the professional process. While such equipment is somewhat costly, the acquisition can pay off in the form of higher employee morale and reduced turnover rates.

If you don’t have the budget to get such fitness equipment for every desk in the office, create a special activity corner for those who would like to exercise while working. Employees can use the part of the office for an hour or two, allowing somebody else to try out the equipment afterwards.

Flexible Desks

One of the best furniture acquisitions for an innovative flexible office! A flexible desk is a great choice, regardless of the office interior design theme you’re opting for. Even if you’re not interested in a modernist/minimalist office renovation, a flexible desk will still be a good choice that will fit the traditional corporate environment.

A flexible desk can easily transform into a standing work station.

A standing work station enables workers to stretch their legs and complete tasks in a standing position. Standing up while working can relieve back stress, strengthen the bones, reduce the risk of stiffness and even contribute to better circulation.

Most flexible desks can be adjusted to several heights, making them a good choice for most employees. If you are about to acquire new furniture, this is the possibility you should be looking forward to. While a bit more expensive than a standard desk, a flexible desk can impact employee happiness and it will also impact the brand identity you’re trying to create for your business.

Get Balance Disks if You Don’t Want to Purchase New Chairs

Even if the office interior design project does not envision the acquisition of new furniture, you can get simple accessories that will transform older pieces into activity stations.

Do you have good office chairs that you don’t want to replace at the time being? If this is the case, you should definitely get balance disks. These cost very little and they’re ideal for a bit of passive exercise.

A balance disk is a seat topper that prevents you from sitting flat on the surface. Because of the shape, you will have to balance while sitting. Attempting to balance on the disk will activate the core, thigh, back and even buttock muscles.

These disks come with several settings that can be adjusted depending on the difficulty level you want to achieve. The firmness of the disk is the one that changes to make the balancing act much more challenging for those who would like to take their office exercise routine to the extreme.

All of these suggestions are aimed at being budget friendly, while enabling you to create a modern and functional office. If you have a larger amount to spend on the transformation of your workspace, there will be dozens of other possibilities to explore. The market features products like treadmill desks that are specifically designed for office workers and that enable gentle exercise while people are engaging in their everyday duties.

Talk to your interior designer about the goal you have and the ways in which you think it can be accomplished. Experienced Singapore interior designers have excellent knowledge of the market and the solutions that can be used to enhance activity levels.

Do not hesitate to contact professionals like the Home Guide team. We have worked on dozens of office interior design projects – from simple renovations to complete overhauls. We know what the modern worker is looking for and how the goal can be accomplished.

Encouraging activity at the office doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. If you’ve never explored active furniture or gym equipment designed for the needs of professionals, we will guide you through the possibilities. Together, we will pinpoint the options that match the office design and that also fall within your budget.

The number of co-working spaces has been increasing steadily in Singapore over the past few years. The increase in the size of co-working space has been 70 per cent since 2014 (as of the end of 2017), which shows a growing demand for such flexible workspace arrangements.

Joining a co-working space is easy – most of the time, no contract or complex arrangements will be required. In addition, more people are opting for freelancing, telecommuting and self-employment options. Launching a co-working office is a great idea but for the project to be successful, it will have to feature the right interior design.

Some of the office interior design elements do apply to co-working spaces but the nature of the arrangement is different. As a result, interior designers working on such projects will need to have a good idea about the manner in which co-working spaces are utilised and the essentials that professionals will be looking for.

If you’re just getting started with the establishment and the maintenance of a co-working office, you’ll need to keep the following interior design essentials in mind.

Flexibility Is the Number One Essential

Companies tend to maintain a more or less stable number of employees, which is why furniture choices and spatial utilisation will be pretty much a constant.

In the case of co-working spaces, the number of tenants will change all the time. This is the main reason why flexibility is going to be the biggest office interior design essential. Occasionally, the space will operate below its full capacity. In other situations, you will have to find a way to fit yet another person in.

A flexible space is defined by a layout that is easy to change. If you have to, you will get to remove desks quickly for the purpose of hosting a lecture. If you have to, you will rearrange the desks to accommodate a bigger team.

These goals can be accomplished through the use of retractable walls, smart furniture, stackable chairs and even tables on wheels. You should definitely work closely with your professional Singapore interior design firm about the selection of the right furniture and fixtures. Once you acquire the essentials and you organise them within the available space, you will get to easily modify the appearance of the office upon necessity.

Coworking Is All about Collaboration

While collaboration is very important in standard office interior design, it happens to play an even bigger role in the world of co-working.

These work spaces are popular because they encourage communication and collaboration between similar-minded individuals. Even when the teams specialise in different areas, they can learn from each other, foster professional relationships and identify new growth opportunities.

Interior design plays a key role in encouraging collaboration.

Open spaces and the lack of dividers or cubicles are defining for co-working interior design. The same applies to chill-out and relaxation areas. A comfy sofa or bean chairs and a coffee machine can do miracles when it comes to breaking the ice.

If the space is large enough, it should also feature secluded areas for brainstorming and creative exchange. It may even be a good idea to have a gaming room that allows for effortless conversations in a casual setting.

While such areas are essential, interior designers should make sure they are far away from the general work area. After all, most professionals have to focus and loud chatter or laughter will make it difficult to handle complex tasks or assignments.

Quality Lights for Every Area

This is far from a co-working interior design specific. Proper light is one of the most important elements for successful interior design, whether commercial interior design, retail or residential.

Just like all other aspects of the office design, lights should be flexible. Whenever the floor plan has to be rearranged, lights will also have to be designed in a way that matches the respective use of the space.

Adding a personal light to each of the office desks is one of the simplest ways to accomplish the goal. This way, tenants will have the power to decide whether they need brighter light or they’re comfortable with the dimmer office lights.

Having motion sensor-activated lights and lights with dimming or brightening abilities will also give you a lot of control over the ambiance as well as being environmentally friendly. Luckily, contemporary technologies make the implementation of such light systems a pretty simple task.

A Little Bit of the Home Appeal

Co-working spaces are a lot less stiff and formal than other offices. Thus, bringing a bit of the home to the workspace is going to work quite well.

Pictures, live plants, throw pillows, rugs and cushions in the relaxation areas will make the tenants feel at home. The office area should focus on functionality and clutter-free appeal. Relaxation spaces can be designed much more like the typical Singaporean living room.

If you don’t feel like home design is compatible with your concept, find inspiration in café design. Many freelancers and telecommuting professionals are used to working in coffee shops. Thus, borrowing a few elements from these spaces will bring some warmth to the overall concept.

Good co-working office interior design is all about finding the balance between work and play. Maintaining flexibility and starting with a good concept will make it much easier for you to make the most of the space, to choose the right furniture and accessories.

Choosing the right Singapore interior design company for the job will be the next essential.

As you’ve seen already, co-working spaces have their specific. These modern and flexible offices appeal to a younger crowd and they emphasise aspects that aren’t necessarily prominent in a corporate environment. This is why you should take your time to identify the right interior design team for the job.

Home Guide has a lot of experience, knowledge and we’re also proud of our creative vision. Our team works hard to understand what clients are looking for and to offer a tailored solution. Are you attempting to execute a co-working space project? Contact us today and we’ll be more than happy to partner up with you on bringing the vision to reality.

The quality of workspaces is dependent on numerous things. Office interior design matters a lot. The aesthetics and functionalities of the interior, as well as the tailoring done to accommodate the respective team can accomplish a lot in terms of stimulating workers. People should feel happy and excited to go to the office in the morning and the specifics of the environment can contribute to that.

Colour selection is one of the essentials that an interior design service provider focus on when conceptualising the ideal office. Interior designers will typically come up with a comprehensive colour scheme that’s based on several tones. Each one of them will be dominant in a part of the workspace, enhancing the function and creating the right ambiance.

The General Office Space: How to Choose the Right Colour Scheme

The general office space is the one where employees spend the most time. Colour selection there should be made to boost productivity and create a friendly, refreshing environment.

Blue and green, especially pastels, are ideal for the creation of a calm office space. These tones also help rest the eyes. The tones are far from aggressive, which is an excellent characteristic for a room or a premise where people would be spending numerous hours every single day.

These colours, however, aren’t the only ones that are suitable for a general office space.

Office interior design rarely features monochromatic solutions. While the wall colour could be a pastel green, a few splashes of brighter tones here and there will be ideal to liven things up. Red and orange are great colours that add a bit of warmth. These highlights can come in the form of accessories or art that will contrast the cooler wall colour nicely.

One thing to keep in mind is that white is far from the best choice for general office space walls. While it does look crisp and clean, studies show that white isn’t really conductive of productivity.

Researchers carrying out one particular experiment found out that professionals made the biggest number of mistakes when they were working in a white room. The people who participated in the study were also asked about the colours they preferred for a workspace. The vast majority opted for green and blue tones.

Meeting Spaces and Conference Rooms

Most offices have at least one room that’s set apart for conferences, brainstorming sessions and meetings with clients. The specific nature of this room makes it very different from the rest of the workspace, which is why interior designers should consider the right colour selection that would improve communication` without being overly distractive.

In the world of colour psychology, turquoise is perceived as the tone of creativity and communication. Lighter shades are ideal for a conference room.

Yellow is another great choice, especially for an accent colour that will work well with a more subdued main tone. It’s the colour of optimism and forward thinking. Yellow can create areas of focus in the room and there’s also some evidence that it enhances the retention of new information.

Colour Use in the Reception Area

While a reception area and a waiting room will typically be the smallest parts of the office, they will play a critical role. This is the first part of the office that visitors see. It can help them form a certain perception about the company. First impressions are incredibly important and it’s nearly impossible to change a bad one.

Your office should be inviting while also retaining a bit of corporate seriousness. A skilled interior designer company can accomplish these goals through the use of colour.

It’s imperative to use your brand colours in the reception area to put emphasis on the brand identity. These are usually the colours featured in the company logo and the marketing materials you have (as well as your corporate website).

Depending on the specifics of the corporate colours, these could be used as an accent. The main colour may be chosen to make clients and business partners feel welcome when they enter the premises. Lighter colours are a much more inviting pick than the typical darker corporate colours like navy blue, grey and black.

A pastel peach is warm and inviting. At the same time, it’s a bit more interesting than white and other neutrals. Beige is certainly become a cliché and a boring option. Such colours can be pulled off solely if you plan to feature brighter accents that will stand out from such a muted background.

Soft corals and greens are also good choices for waiting rooms and reception areas. Greens and blues are particularly suitable for businesses whose visitors may feel a bit anxious – medical clinics, dental offices, naturopathy centres, etc.

Yellow is not a good choice for a waiting room. While it is the colour of optimism, studies suggest that longer exposure to the colour could contribute to anxiety.

These are obviously general rules and guidelines that can be broken. If you have a specific idea and you already visualise the appearance of the office, you can experiment with bolder tones and hues that are less common in the corporate world.

A good partner with a huge experience in Singapore interior design to help you through the process will be important if you want quick, beautiful and long-lasting results. The Home Guide interior design team has sufficient experience in the field of office interior design creation. We will do our best to understand who you are and what you’re trying to accomplish. Based on the information you share with us, we can recommend the colour scheme that will make your office unique and uplifting.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today and acquaint our designers with your Singapore business. We are also ready to answer any questions you may have about the selection of the best colours to represent your company and make both employees and visitors feel welcomed.

When designing an office, most focus on the functional aspects — the floor plan, the furniture, the storage area and the kitchen. Office interior design, however, is also about the selection of the right décor and even art.

Are you going through an office renovation in Singapore? If so, you may want to dedicate some time to the selection of a few beautiful and colourful pieces of artwork. Office art can increase happiness of employees with its brightness. Studies suggest that featuring art increases office productivity. Art also increases the level of comfort for both customers and workers. It breaks the sterile corporate environment and adds a touch of casual appeal to the workspace.

To experience these benefits, you will need to dedicate some time to the selection of the right artwork. While there are no strict rules and criteria guiding the choice, you will definitely need to keep a few essentials in mind.

Where Will It Be Placed?

An experienced interior design company in Singapore will first consider the location where artwork will be displayed. The size of the room or the wall potentially limits the choices.

In an office, art should be displayed in the areas that are most frequented by employees and visitors. These may include conference rooms, waiting areas, and chillout zones. Greeting people with a painting as they enter the office may also be a great idea.

Adding some art to the work area itself is also a good idea, as long as the particular piece doesn’t serve as a distraction. When going through this process, it’s a good idea to get employees involved. After all, they will be the people looking at the respective piece all day long. If they don’t feel comfortable or happy with the choice, you may want to start exploring alternatives.

First Impressions Do Matter

The most prominent art is to be displayed in the common areas and the parts of the office where visitors come.

Art, especially quality art, can be used to communicate something about the brand. It is elegant, exquisite and beautiful to look at. These positive associations easily transfer to the company on the basis of the office’s appeal.

Remember that art doesn’t have to be expensive in order to impress. What matters is a stylish selection that’s in line with the overall office interior design concept. Interior design service providers can help you with the choice if you don’t feel confident enough in your aesthetic sense to make the pick.

Colour Considerations

This is another area of art selection that an interior designer can help with.

When a design for your office is being chosen, an interior designer will come up with a colour scheme. Colour schemes typically feature two or three tones. These could either be complementary or they may come in contrast with each other.

Placing art in a colourful and brighter part of the office isn’t always a good idea. Artwork that fights for attention with the background will cause the specific part of the workspace to lose focus.

Interior designers will usually opt for a more subdued background and bright pops of colour that create points of visual interest. This is why you may want to entrust the entire task to professionals.

The style of the room and the colour scheme of furnishings and accessories should be considered when you’re buying art. Colour has a major impact on emotions and productivity. You don’t want art that looks grim. Pastels promote a sense of calm. Colours like yellow and orange are linked to positivity. These are the tones you want to have featured prominently in both the design and the artwork that you pick.

Paintings Aren’t the Only Form of Art

Many people think about paintings when it comes to artwork they can place in a home or an office. As beautiful as they are, however, paintings aren’t the only option to pursue.

Beautiful artistic photographs will make a greater impact than a mediocre painting. The same applies to graphics and sketches. Don’t underestimate black and white art. While it won’t brighten or liven a space, it can still have a massive emotional impact through the subject or the scene being portrayed.

Small sculptures add a bit of dynamic appeal to the office design. You can also choose mosaics, patchwork, quilts or native/folk art.

Once again, you must have an overall branding and design concept. These two have to work alongside each other to tell a cohesive story about the company and the people that work in the respective office. Picking artwork for the sake of artwork is far from the best choice because such purchases will be void of meaning.

A final thing you should consider and communicate with your interior designer is the budget for art purchases. Both contemporary art and classic pieces come in a wide range of prices. When you give your designer some more information about the sum you feel comfortable spending on the acquisition of art, you’ll be provided with a list of relevant choices.

When you have fun putting together the perfect office, your employees will certainly feel good about coming to work in the morning. Don’t be impulsive, but take time to consider the emotional impact of the décor. If you’re not one hundred per cent certain what you’re trying to accomplish, talk to an experienced Singapore interior design team.

The power of interior design is immense. Just about every goal you come up with can be accomplished by an experienced designer. Many companies today are looking for a more informal ambiance at the office. Getting an office to resemble a home is far from an extremely challenging task but is it a good idea?

Is it a Good Idea for an Office to Resemble Home Settings?

Casual workspace environments can be highly beneficial to employees.

An office that looks and feels like home isn’t just a place that people will enjoy going to in the morning.  The goal here is to create a community based on mutual trust and effortless interactions between professionals and departments.

Offices that feel like home have the right interior that allows workers to spend more time together, eat meals in a common room or take a quick break in the office lounge while having a lively discussion.

Homey office environments are an extension of a family-style culture that a company has adopted. Such a culture can increase worker loyalty and bring down employee turnover rates. Most businesses today are struggling when it comes to keeping their workers engaged. An office that promotes frequent interactions, the effortless exchange of ideas and a focus on one’s passion could be one of the tools needed to form a strong team and to keep it together.

A Singapore interior design company like Home Guide specialise in contemporary office design. A cosy and homelike atmosphere can be created through a couple of simple approaches. If you want the best outcome, you should definitely consider hiring a professional and following these suggestions in terms of execution.

Eliminate the Cold and Sterile Office Environment

What does a standard office look like? It features metal surfaces, clean desks, whites and neutrals. The corporate feel is evident in every single element of the design – from colour, flooring choices to the selection of the best furniture.

Homey office interior design aims to counteract the coldness and the sterility of the traditional office.

The goal can be accomplished in a couple of simple way.

Warm colours and pastel tones are a great choice over corporate hues like navy, grey and black. The same applies to wooden elements, mosaics and interior design accessories made of natural materials.

Textiles, carpets, curtains, cushions, pillows and rugs are also great choices. These can be scattered here and there or concentrated in the lounges that employees use to take a break from the hectic day. Textiles rank among the unorthodox choices for corporate environments and they’re much more common in residential design. As a result, you will easily deliver the message and carry the “home sweet home” feeling throughout the office.

Getting Employees Involved in the Project

The problem with such office design is that everybody’s interpretation of the term home is unique.

If you want to make everyone feel welcomed at the office, you may want to get the employees involved in the design process.

One of the simplest ways to benefit from everybody’s input is to ask workers to bring a favourite accessory or a piece of art to their workspace. While such a design is certainly going to be eclectic, everyone is going to have their own spot that will make them feel welcomed.

It’s still a good idea to provide at least some guideline about the parameters of the project and the style or theme you’d be opting for. This way, employee contributions aren’t going to be excessively out of line.

Original Furniture for Every Part of the Office

Furniture purchases are often the culprit of offices looking identical. Desks, chairs and storage units look like each other, regardless of the office that you’re visiting. What’s even more problematic is the fact that companies will often carry out bulk purchases. As a result, every single room, department and relaxation area will look identical to the other parts of the workspace.

Much more thought will have to be put in furniture selection for the purpose of creating a cosy, welcoming environment.

Original pieces, curated furniture collections and different choices for the different rooms will be required. The HR department, for example, cannot have the same furniture and accessories as the office’s chillout area.

Not buying furniture in bulk and looking for more intriguing pieces will cost you more than the standard office desk and chair. Still, you will be investing in the wellbeing of employees and their loyalty. Such an investment will pay off because the acquisition of top talent and a high turnover rate can be incredibly costly for a business.

Think about Unorthodox Rooms

A final option you may want to explore with your Singapore interior design professional is the creation of non-standard spaces in the office.

You can easily add a small gym to the workspace – there is exercise equipment that doesn’t cost a fortune and that’s compact enough to fit in a single room.

A place of religious worship or a nursery for the workers who have kids will also result in a high level of appreciation. There are many opportunities – just think about the most pressing needs of the team and discuss those with your interior designer. Together, you will determine which ideas will be most beneficial and easy to execute in the context of the office space that you have.

Offices that look and feel like home come with many benefits and you should definitely consider such a theme for a redesign or the setup of a new office. As you can see, the changes that have to be made from the standard layout aren’t that massive or cumbersome.

Once you come up with the general parameters of the idea, you should begin looking for the right interior design team. Home Guide has extensive experience in the field of office design. We’re not afraid of experimenting and we’re looking forward to bringing your idea to reality. Contact us today to get the process started.

As an interior design company in Singapore with years of experience designing office, we have created various workspaces for different needs. The space you work in depends on your job function, the company culture and how people collaborate . It’s pretty important for each space to be designed for comfort, productivity, creativity and morale. So what are the most common types of workspaces you might find in a modern office? Let us take a look at the top 5.

The Collaboration Space

Collaborative work mostly takes place in either meeting rooms, auditoriums, conference halls or small huddle rooms. It all depends on the size of the team and their place on the office hierarchy. These spaces are a totally essential part of any typical office interior design project, but since their functions are more-or-less the same, their alternating sizes need to be carefully checked in order to tell the difference.

Small Rooms For The Individual

There are some people who find it extremely hard to work in crowded, noisy spaces, which is why every office should have some individual rooms where these people can work in peace. They don’t have to be completely closed off from the rest of the office area – a simple glass wall partition can definitely do the trick – but to create a solitary environment is necessary in such situations.

The Loner Desk

We all know that one person who simply likes to immerse themselves in their work without a heed to their surroundings. Their workspace is their sanctuary, and therefore, the furniture must be ergonomic and comfortable enough to make their experience top-notch. These desks can be individual workstations with their own nook within the whole layout.

Specialized Workstations

Specialized workstations include the customized or typical workstation layout that makes up a major part of the office interior design aesthetic. There are so many different variations of their designs, and so many aspects you can personally alter in order to make them more comfortable for the employees. System furniture is very in-demand these days, which is a good alternative for typical workstations.

Executive Spaces

For someone who’s decidedly higher on the food chain, the office interior design has to be sufficiently accommodating. You cannot pile them in with the rest of the employees and call it a day. These people have their own roles to play – board members and investors to entertain – therefore, the executive spaces have to be designed in a rather upscale way. The ambiance has to be elegant, high-end yet understated with privacy at the same time.

At Home Guide, we’re masters of creating the best working environment. Our experience of more than two decades has inspired use to be one of the trend-setters in Singapore’s office design industry. Come talk to us to get you started!

Sometimes, even the most upscale offices can overlook the comfort of their employees in lieu of cheaper furniture, fast construction and disproportionate anthropometry. As a result, many office workers feel the strain on their bodies in the form of deteriorating eye-sight, carpel tunnel in their wrists and several aches in their backs. This results in minimal efficiency and increasing workloads. Proper ergonomic office interior designs can benefit to not only the health of the employees, but also their work ethics. Here are a few ergonomic essentials that every office needs.

Adjustable Task Chair/Desk

Proper furniture is always the hallmark of a good office interior design. It has to be just the right amount of comfortable and functional in order to maintain that fully efficient outlook. An adjustable chair and flexible desk can radically improve the working environment of your employee, thus increasing work productivity through proper ergonomics. This will also reduce the risk of back strain and carpal tunnel.

Storage Add-Ons

You cannot expect to run a fully functional office without proper storage add-on’s. Every employee needs a firm set of flexible storage units on hand. These can be a part of the desk or can be separately attached to the workstation to keep everything important on hand. This improves the productivity and keeps all the relative work materials within easy reach of the staff.

Work-Friendly Lighting

Ever had those extreme Monday Feels when the light just above your workstation is painfully bright and it feels like your eyes are straining at the task of concentrating on the work. This is why proper illumination is such an important part of any office interior design – especially when you’re considering ergonomics. You can also use task lighting in order to customize the settings specifically according to the user.

Monitor Arms

The monitor screen is the front runner in the major reasons for eye-strain, eyesight deterioration and even back problems. Employees find it hard to adjust to the standard monitor settings. This is why every office needs monitor arms in order to accommodate their staff. It decreases the risk of eyesight deterioration and back strain while making the office interior design infinitely more ergonomic and user-friendly.

At Home Guide, we’re well aware of how a good, ergonomic office interior design can benefit both the employees and the company as a whole. We can definitely consult you to deliver only the best, most user-friendly designs for your commercial spaces.