By Donna Chaney, Senior Consultant/Furniture Concept Illustrations by Susan L. Ruby
Office renovation projects are a great opportunity to transform a traditional office into a modern, updated office that provides new ways to work and collaborate. But what if you don’t have the time or money for a significant space transition project? Or what if you’re not sure the commitment and effort suit your organization? Then, this is the blog for you! Easy office makeover projects don’t require a big budget or a significant effort.
Small Changes with Big Impacts
In touring offices for facility planning projects that I work on, I see unused space in nearly every office. Sometimes, this is an empty office; other times, it’s a space that’s too small to be used as an office or inconveniently located (perhaps tucked away in a remote corner). These spaces often sit empty for months or years, accumulating the usual office litter – outdated computer accessories, storage boxes, and even old files that should have been shredded years ago. If you have a room like this, one of the easiest things you can do is to repurpose it as a space that multiple people can use in your office. Here are several easy and inexpensive options for office makeovers.
Could you create a getaway booth?
If it’s a small room, consider creating a getaway booth for teleworkers or visitors who need a private space to work for an hour or even a whole day. A getaway booth requires a desk and chair. If you have the budget, other accessories – such as a monitor and laptop docking station – could be provided.
Getaway Booth in an Unused Office
Could you create a collaboration room?
If the space is more significant, you have more options. Consider creating a collaboration room – a small meeting space where two or more people can meet. This type of space only requires a table and chairs. But again, if you have the resources, you could provide a whiteboard, an easel, a flip chart, and perhaps a telephone for group conference calls.
Could you create a technology hub?
Another option for a larger space is a technology hub where employees can hold videoconferences or share files from their laptops during in-person meetings. This type of space would need technology – a large monitor, a conference phone, and a laptop docking station or connections for laptop computers.
Minor Construction with Major Returns
The previous options required little or no expense. If you have a small budget, there are even more possibilities for small projects with the potential for a significant impact. Here are some low-budget office makeover possibilities.
Knock down a wall between rooms to create a collaboration area.Create touchdown areas in unused spaces.
Touchdown desks are small workstations, typically 36 square feet or smaller, where remote workers or visitors can sit and work quietly for a short period, usually a day or less. The small footprint of these spaces allows them to be placed in many locations and any quantity, from one to a cluster. All needed is a small surface area for a laptop and work papers.
I’ve seen some inventive concepts up close and personal and even more creative ideas online. In one case, a countertop and three stools were installed in a wide corridor, instantly creating space for three workstations. A large whiteboard was added to the space above the countertop, extending to the ceiling, giving workers another place to jot notes and ideas. As a bonus, the space has also been used as a small collaboration area for a handful of employees.
Touchdown Desk Counter in a Wide Hallway
In another instance, an upholstered bench was placed along an unused wall, and several small rolling carts were made available as mobile desks (think tray tables on wheels). In yet another facility, the organization had a larger dead space in a corner next to a bank of windows. They installed a four-person table and purchased a tabletop divider system, immediately creating four semi-private cubicle workstations – perfect for visitors' temporary workspace. The dividers are high enough to provide visual privacy but low enough to allow window views from any of the four workspaces.
Touchdown Desks at a Table with a Low Partition Separator
Create a relaxing work nook with a unique piece of furniture.
I recently visited a facility where the organization had undergone a significant space transformation project. The entire office was a spectacular example of innovative concepts, but one area caught my eye in particular. In a small corner nook that would typically sit vacant or house a filing cabinet or bookcase sat an upholstered chair with a side-arm desk large enough to accommodate a laptop. There was even a matching footstool, and the chair faced a window with a relaxing view. This area was designed as a unique focus space that differs from the typical desk/chair combination. I tried the chair, so I can vouch for its comfort!) For the relatively low cost of the furniture, this unused nook was transformed into an innovative work area for employees who may want to relax while they need to concentrate.
Work Nook (and the author enjoying an actual and relaxing work nook in a newly updated office)
Update your employee break room to create an employee café/work lounge.
An area that many people often overlook when considering space projects is the employee break room. While many organizations have lunch or break rooms, these spaces usually have white walls, perhaps a microwave, sink, coffee maker, and some utilitarian tables and chairs. It's not exactly a pleasant space to spend one’s lunch hour. Updating this space to create a relaxing area would be an easy and relatively low-cost effort. Updates could potentially include:
- Painting the space in warm colors
- Purchasing comfortable and inviting tables and chairs (perhaps combining some that are regular height with some pub-style tables and bar stools)
- Installing pendant lights above the tables and countertops
- Installing an island that can be used as a countertop or, with the addition of bar stools, as an eating area
- Purchasing updated appliances (if you’re still using a filter-style coffee maker, consider purchasing a Keurig for your employees!)
- Adding artwork, books or magazines (perhaps a free lending library), or even games (a chess set, puzzles, etc.) – no law says office spaces can’t provide warmth and entertainment!
For a higher cost, and depending on where your break room is located, you can remove one or two walls to create a more open lounge-style area. The office I mentioned above is in its break room next to its main conference room. They installed large sliding doors in the conference room to open the space and create a larger area for office gatherings. You may not have the resources or space for this type of layout, but even on a budget, there are many options for upgrading an employee break room and creating a warm and welcoming café-style environment.
Updated Break Room
There are tons of reality shows on TV these days that show all kinds of home makeovers. The possibilities are endless, from minor redecorating projects on a budget to major construction involving an entire house. So why not take this same approach to your office? After all, as reality television has shown us, you don’t need a huge budget to make a big difference in your space!
