May 27, 2015
Learn how to make the best use of the space available by following these tips by the experts at Kansai Nerolac
With changing times in 2015, the rules for success are being rewritten almost every week. You could make a handsome living lounging in your pajamas while running a blog orbaking cupcakesor simply be a tech geek who works at the comfort of his home. The entrepreneurial mindset amongst the youth today is slowly gaining prominencewhich has led to the mushrooming of startups every day.Since your startup is fresh and new to business,you have a very dedicated team that doesn’t fret about cubicles or cabins. While your team focuses on making your ideas kick and help the organization grow, your workspace design and colours could have a great impact on keeping them motivated and give a fresh impetus to their thinking.
Identifying this growing need, here are certain insights that will guide you as a budding entrepreneur with your interior space, helping you create your own personalized work atmosphere in the space available to you. These insights will help you understand the aesthetics of the right use of colour combinations at your workspace, to create a cozy nook that reflects what your organization represents.
1] Use bright colours: Bright colors, funky posters, catchy one liners and a casual, informal work atmosphere enhances thesensory stimulation, thought process and creativity of your employees.
2] Graphics on your walls : Graphic wall designs with vivid colour contrasts of warm and cool colours like bright pinkwith soothing yellow or sunshine yellowwith a cool light blue are bound to make your work place come alive while maintaining a warmer neutral balance with colours like light lavender and light earthy beige or earthy baby pink.Another way in which you can make the interiors interesting is by adding graphic designs and textures that depict certain positive emotions like humor or surprise. These distinctive icons are bound to lighten up the atmosphere which will make your office a fun place to work at.
3] Personalize your space: As there is a constraint of space, the need for clear demarcations arises for better functionality and multiuse of space. For this, diverse surfaces should be highlighted in different colours or material. Colours like bright orange and sky blueover backgrounds like off-white or light grey will help in attaining this effect.
4] Modular office furniture and space usage: If the people in your startup have that indomitable team spirit, you should make sure that you motivate them by providing a fun surrounding to work in. You could add bean bags, laptop desks and easily adjustable furniture instead of formal tables & chairs in your premise. Besides promoting movement throughout the day, this would also benefit during office celebrations, as the same space can be used as a dance floor or office party dinner area.
5] Give your company-spirit an impetus: Apart from incorporating funky art, humorous wall hangings and multi-purpose installationsto help people connect their personal values to the brand values; make sure you incorporate your ‘company colours’ on your walls, be it the colour of your logo, product or a colours that represent your stakeholders/end user. By featuring the ‘company colours’ on the walls, it will keep the company spirit alive and keep the employees connected with their work.
6] Play with light wisely: While making sure that there is sufficient light from natural resources by opting for long French windows with drapes, opt for wall colours that reflect light well instead of making the area look dull. This would also help you cut down on the electricity bill by not consuming unnecessary power. A colour expert from the painting company could suggest the most appropriate option for your place.
7] Encourage employees via your décor : Encourage and empower your employees by dedicating one feature wall or a part of a wall to showcase team and individual achievements, reinforce progress and boost exceptional experimentation.
8] Reiterate transparency : If you feel that there is a pressing need to build an enclosed cabin for selective senior management, opt for glass walls instead of concrete so people can see and be seen, which builds trust. This would also help in keepingthe spaciousness of a smaller area intact.
9] Avoid distraction : Offer places that are calmingand welcoming through materials, textures, colors, lighting and views.Create areas where people can connect with others without distractions or interference. Don’t opt for rough textured walls just to create a fancy look, rather opt for smoother surfaces.
The traditional system of cubicles and cabins is becoming passé anyway. Paints and vibrant colours play a key role as they depict clear demarcation of areas designated to different activities. For instance, a small, one room setup, creatively uses bright reds, yellows and oranges to distinguish client meeting sections from the luncharea. Highlighting the borders, corners and edges of the room also draws specific attention to the wall and evokes motivating, creative thoughts as compared to dull plain, factory interiors.
With a fresh impetus and mindset, make your startup make maximum use of available area in the most fun, creative and innovative manner.
– Authored by Yatnesh Pandey, Chief Manager, Marketing at Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd.
