Category: Home Storage (page 1 of 2)

What are the most important things to have in an office

As an expert, I can provide insights into the most important things to have in an office to create a productive and functional workspace. Here are some essential elements:

  1. Comfortable and Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in high-quality, ergonomic office furniture that promotes comfort and supports proper posture. Ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and supportive equipment can help prevent discomfort and long-term health issues associated with prolonged sitting.
  2. Sufficient Lighting: Good lighting is crucial for a productive office environment. Incorporate a combination of natural light, task lighting, and ambient lighting to minimise eye strain, enhance visibility, and create a pleasant atmosphere. Ensure that workstations are well-lit and that lighting levels can be adjusted to individual preferences.
  3. Efficient Storage Solutions: Effective storage solutions are essential to maintain a clutter-free workspace. Provide ample storage options such as filing cabinets, shelves, and drawers to keep documents, supplies, and personal items organised. Digital storage solutions can also help minimise physical clutter by facilitating efficient information management.
  4. Reliable Technology and Connectivity: A well-equipped office requires reliable technology and seamless connectivity. Provide employees with up-to-date computers, fast internet connections, and necessary software tools to perform their tasks efficiently. Additionally, consider investing in collaborative technology such as video conferencing systems, project management software, and cloud storage for streamlined communication and productivity.
  5. Adequate Workspace and Privacy: Employees need sufficient workspace to carry out their tasks comfortably. Ensure that workstations provide enough desk space, legroom, and storage options. Consider the balance between open spaces for collaboration and designated areas or private offices where employees can focus and have privacy when needed.
  6. Proper Ventilation and Temperature Control: Maintaining a comfortable and healthy environment is crucial. Adequate ventilation and temperature control systems are essential to regulate air quality and temperature. Good air circulation can help prevent fatigue, improve concentration, and contribute to overall well-being.
  7. Communication and Collaboration Tools: Encourage effective communication and collaboration among team members by providing tools such as whiteboards, bulletin boards, project management software, and video conferencing facilities. These tools foster idea sharing, brainstorming, and seamless collaboration on projects.
  8. Well-Stocked Office Supplies: Having a readily available supply of essential office items is essential for smooth operations. Stock up on stationery, printer paper, ink cartridges, and other necessary supplies. Consider providing communal areas with shared resources like printers, copiers, and scanners for easy accessibility.
  9. Comfortable Break and Relaxation Areas: Designate spaces for employees to take breaks, relax, and recharge. Furnish these areas with comfortable seating, recreational items like games or books, and amenities such as coffee machines or a kitchenette. Encouraging regular breaks promotes well-being, creativity, and team bonding.
  10. Safety Measures: Ensure that the office environment adheres to safety standards. Provide fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, first aid kits, and clear emergency exit routes. Regularly inspect and maintain electrical equipment, and establish protocols for workplace safety and security.

By incorporating these essential elements into an office space, you can create a conducive environment that supports productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. Tailor these elements to the specific needs of your organization, considering the nature of work, industry, and the preferences of your employees.

The Benefits of Having Plants in an Office

Having plants in an office can bring numerous benefits to the environment and the people who work there. In this article, we will discuss some of the most significant benefits of having plants in an office.

  1. Air purification: Plants have the unique ability to absorb toxins and pollutants from the air, which can significantly improve air quality. Indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoor air, and plants can help reduce the concentration of harmful chemicals and pollutants in the air.
  2. Stress reduction: Plants have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels in the workplace. Studies have found that just looking at plants can help reduce stress levels, and having plants in the office can create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, which can help improve productivity.
  3. Increased productivity: Having plants in the office can increase productivity levels by improving air quality, reducing stress, and creating a more visually appealing environment. A study by the University of Exeter found that productivity levels increased by 15% when plants were introduced to the workplace.
  4. Noise reduction: Plants can also help reduce noise levels in the office. Plants absorb sound, which can help reduce the amount of noise that is transmitted through walls and floors. This can create a more peaceful and comfortable environment, which can help improve focus and productivity.
  5. Improved health: Plants can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. Studies have found that having plants in the office can help reduce symptoms of illnesses such as coughs and sore throats, as well as improve overall wellbeing and happiness.
  6. Improved creativity: Plants can also help improve creativity levels. Studies have found that being surrounded by plants can help stimulate creativity and improve problem-solving skills, which can be beneficial in a work environment.
  7. Aesthetics: Finally, plants can help create a more visually appealing environment. A well-placed plant can help add color and life to an otherwise dull or sterile office space, which can improve employee morale and satisfaction.

In conclusion, having plants in an office can bring numerous benefits to both the environment and the people who work there. Plants can help purify the air, reduce stress levels, increase productivity, reduce noise, improve health, stimulate creativity, and create a more visually appealing environment. With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder that many businesses are choosing to incorporate plants into their office spaces.

How To Upcycle Your Furniture With Paint

Upcycling is a great way to breathe new life into old furniture – and it’s amazing how just one coat of paint can completely transform an otherwise plain-looking chair or chest. Follow this helpful ‘upcycle your furniture guide with paint’ for some easy styling that’ll have you second hand pieces looking as good as fresh!

Buying used furniture

  • Have a good idea of what type of furniture you need before heading to car boot sales and markets – and when you see something, picture where it would go in your home. This way, you’ll be less likely to buy pieces that aren’t particularly useful.
  • Remember there’s a huge used furniture market online. Many people sell pieces at bargain prices, or even give them away for free on community threads and websites.
  • It’s important to be flexible if you’re looking for a really unique piece. Some creative thinking can turn old doors into smaller cupboards, or crates into shelving. For inspiration, take a look at DIY and upcycling blogs online.
  • If a piece looks shabby because of a bad or fading paint job, or it has surface scratches, you can easily transform it with a little sanding or painting.
  • Make sure you check furniture is structurally sound for the way you’ll use it. If there are holes in older wooden furniture, it’s probably had woodworm.

How to revamp your furniture

  1. Gently sand the surfaces removing any rough edges.
  2. Remove excess dust using a dust brush.
  3. Prepare the surface thoroughly, so it’s as even as possible before you prime.
  4. Once the primer is dry, sand the surface again and remove excess dust.
  5. Before you begin painting, section off your first coloured stripes with masking tape, starting from the top and working towards your feet.
  6. Paint the first colour and wait until it’s dry before you put more masking tape on for the second colour.
  7. Remember to wait until your first coats are completely dry before painting second coats of each colour.

Home office wall decor ideas to create an inspirational display

With so many of us working from home on a regular basis, the space we spend so much time in deserves some extra love. Home office wall decor ideas will refresh your space and help you keep motivated throughout the day.

Let’s face it, staring at the same bland four walls everyday hardly make for the most motivational working environment. Luckily, it’s easy enough to switch your mindset from ‘out of office’ to optimistic by treating the walls of your home office ideas as a blank canvas.

Home office wall decor ideas

Getting creative with your working space is proven to boost positivity and productivity, making you much happier day to day. Whether you opt for positive paint shades, styled-up shelving, decorative artwork, or all of them, your home office wall decor ideas are sure to make the work days fly by.

Build a beautiful backdrop

While it’s important to consider the view from your desk, consider the backdrop from your computer camera, too. You’ll need to think carefully about the wall behind you and the impression it will create on video calls, as it is likely to now be one of the most seen parts of your home.

Work in tandem with your home office lighting ideas to ensure both your face and backdrop are perfectly lit, while avoiding irritating screen glare.

Stay serene with green

Bringing greenery into an office environment helps evoke a sense of calm and stimulates creativity, making it just as perfect for craft room ideas.

Try painting walls a soothing shade of green, or for a quick fix, fill a shelf with plants.

If you’re short on desk or floor space, or you’re not very green fingered, hanging botanical wall art can help destress and set you in the right mood for a productive day.

Pick a positive colour scheme

One of the main benefits of a home office is the opportunity to create a colourful environment that works for you – not your colleagues. Think about how you react to colours and tones and pick accordingly: some people feel stressed by bright shades while others find them stimulating.

If you’re wary about home office design mistakes and unsure on colours, there are some that might be worth considering, given the proven effects they have on mood and productivity.

Stay organised

If it’s small home office ideas you’re after, think about making your walls work a little harder. With a few practical accessories, they can easily accommodate all your organisational needs – the key is to make it look stylish.

Whether it’s a blackboard, corkboard or DIY pinboard, position it in the middle then work out with a couple of wall-mounted pockets and small shelves to keep all your bits and bobs close to hand.

The beauty of working from home

The beauty of working from home is you don’t have to bring the office’s cold, clinical feeling desks, wheeled chairs and bulky filing cabinets back into your space with you. You can create a workstation that inspires creativity without having to sacrifice on your current interior style by blending office furniture beautifully into your home.

Make a room with a view

By positioning your desk so you have access to natural light, it will give off an amazing feeling. Not only are there benefits for the quality of work but also how much more productive people can be with some fresh air interacting positively within them! Science has found that it may improve alertness, health and wellness. This can lead to increased productivity overall.

Go green

The air in your room will be cleaner and healthier with plants around. Not only do they add a healthy dose of green to any space, but data shows that plants can remove up toxins from the atmosphere through photosynthesis!

The connection between nature and improved mental health has been well-established for decades. Getting out in the great outdoors can help you feel refreshed, calm down from stressful situations more quickly.

If your work area faces north and doesn’t get much direct sun, consider a snake or ZZ plant—low-maintenance varieties that thrive in minimal indirect light.

Seek higher ground

Keep in mind, your workspace isn’t just the confines of your desk. By utilising the wall above, you can maximise surface area and storage potential.

You can create a functional workstation by installing an office desk in any nook or corner of your home. To save space, use floating shelves to mount the legsless Walldesk and utilise sconces for lamps so you won’t crowd things with light sources!

Frame your space

The best way to organise your office is by using bookcases or shelving units that you can easily move around the room. This will make it easy for people who are working in different areas of their job, as well as visitors coming by without knowing exactly where they should go!

Doing so helps delineate the space and creates room for more decor. This way, the surface of your desk will simply look like it’s part of a cohesive, built-in unit. A few decorative baskets on shelves can hide paperwork in plain sight in between collectibles and curio.

Office Gadgets

Working from home or at the office is great, but it’s difficult without certain gadgets. A light for your workspace and charging points will make you more comfortable while working on these late nights! A chair that supports back are also essential so please don’t forget them when buying new furniture in order to get rid of chronic pain caused by improper posture all day long.

Here we have a list of cool office gadgets in 2022 that will make your office work more comfortable and effective:

Wireless Charging Mouse Pad

Now, this is a well-thought-out device- a wireless charging mouse pad. The designers have worked hard to create a product that meets all of the end-users needs. The charging area is increased because of the three coil method. The dual charging port has been included so that users can charge their devices in the most convenient locations. This device eliminates the frustrations associated with a shortage of workspace and comes in various appealing colours.

Charging Docks

One of the handiest tools you may have on your desk is an all-in-one charging station. Keeping all of our electronics charged is undoubtedly one of the most time-consuming activities we have. As a result, having a charging port that can simultaneously charge all of your precious devices is a godsend.

Monitor Lights

When it comes to creating the ideal workstation layout, we consider a few factors. An excellent monitor paired with a wireless mouse and keyboard, a charging dock to keep our expensive electronics charged, and perhaps an ergonomic chair is thrown in for good measure! But how frequently do we consider the importance of good lighting? Our working environments aren’t as well-illuminated as we may believe. We often take lighting solutions for granted when we really shouldn’t. Inadequate illumination puts a burden on our eyes and can be rather irritating to work in.

The importance of getting your Home Office right

Getting your home office storage spot on is key to creating a space that’s functional, inspiring and that will help support your productivity when working from home.

Whether you’ve a whole room, a corner in the living room or nook in the hallway, ensuring you have the best storage solutions to keep this space tidy and well organised is crucial.

INVEST IN A DUAL-PURPOSE COFFEE TABLE

Remote working has unearthed ways to work in different rooms in the home. While the bedroom offers a quiet space, the temptation to slide under the covers may be too risky for some.

Instead lounge areas probably provide the closest thing to a ‘normal’ working environment. And, while not great for your posture, coffee tables are commonly used for laptop perching and coffee nestling.

KEEP YOUR DESK TIDY BY USING WALL SPACE

Working with a tiny workspace under the stairs or using an alcove? Keep clutter at bay by making use of wall decor. Think wire boards, fairy lights to hang things off, and of course, some floating shelves.

REPURPOSE AN OLD DRESSING OR HALLWAY CONSOLE TABLE

Getting full use out of dressing and console tables by letting yours double up as a home office storage space is a wise move. And, there are lots of fine design tweaks that can make these tables easier on the eye. Consider painting yours the same color as your office interiors, or place inserts inside so that your stationery doesn’t roll about inside.

This is one of many cost-effective budget home office ideas to save you forking out on expensive furniture. Now all you need is a good office chair to accompany it.

CHOOSE MODULAR HOME OFFICE STORAGE

A great home office storage idea is to build an adaptable storage wall with floor-to-ceiling supports and brackets. Open storage systems like this Elfa storage system really do offer total control over the storage space. Not only can you get shelves of every depth, but handy pegboard-style panels, or drawers can be added too for stationery.

TURN YOUR HOME OFFICE STORAGE INTO A FEATURE

Make the necessity of home office storage into something beautiful with an accent wall of shelving or pinned pictures. This is the perfect solution for those integrating a home office in to a living room or communal space. Remember to leave plenty of space to display treasured items keeping it as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.

Workplaces will not return to normal

A report has suggested that:

The 9-5 is dead but the office is NOT: Workplaces will not ‘return to normal’ after the coronavirus pandemic but most companies will not let employees work from home permanently.

The publication warns workplaces ‘will not return to normal’ after the pandemic is brought under control – with employees having adapted to the ‘new normal’ of working from home during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The study has advised that there has been increased stress levels among employees due to working from home since the lockdown was enforced in May 2020. It suggests workers splitting time between the office and working from home may be the way forward for many companies, even after the pandemic is over.

London-based outsourcing giant Capita have not renewed leases on 25 of their offices, while Lloyds Banking Group was reviewing its office space requirements after deciding most of its 65,000 employees have performed well working from home.

But the report says others, including social media giant Facebook, had turned against working from home models, while American mutlinational IBM had also pulled back from its staff working from home.

However the report concludes that the likely way forward for businesses will be a mixed model, with employees working from home some of the time, and in the office others.

Millennium Storage Office Refurbishments

Millennium offers you a full service to provide you with the best possible environment with minimum disruption. We believe in practical solutions and creative office space planning. As a company experienced in office fit out, we offer office partitioning, flooring, decoration, furniture (standard and bespoke). As a result you have one point of contact and dedicated project management to ensure a seamless transformation.

The Benefits of Refurbishing Your Office or Workplace

The average worker spends vast portions of their lives in their office or workplace, so it is important for the surroundings to look and feel welcoming. If your workplace needs a bit of a spruce up, you may want to consider the benefits of an office refurbishment.

Improved efficiency

Refurbishing your workplace can allow you to alter the layout of your establishment, and you may find that by moving certain aspects of your office, you can increase the efficiency of your workplace. You can even take this opportunity to invest in new, high-quality equipment for your office that can increase the speed of functions.

Increased productivity

A new, attractive, updated workplace can boost the morale of your workers, which in turn can increase their productivity.

Attracts new clients or customers

Your office is, in effect, the face of your company, and the quality of your workplace can speak volumes about how your company is run, and even how successful your business is. A high-quality establishment indicates that your company is turning a good profit, which can make other customers or clientele have faith in the success of your company and be more inclined to do business with you.

More room for more staff

When you refurbish, you can alter the size of certain aspects of your establishment – storage, hallways, etc. to create more space, which can fit your expanding workforce more comfortably. You may even find that simply rejigging the furniture into a more organised state can create the extra space you need.

Increased health and safety

If you’ve been using your office for a while, general wear and tear might have caused some damage to the fixtures, which can be a huge health and safety risk to your workers. An entire new office will be completely safe and secure, greatly reducing the risk of workplace accidents.

Millennium Storage and Interiors offer both office and commercial refurbishments, so no matter your workplace, we can provide you with the new look you want. We only use high-quality materials and fully qualified and skilled workers, to ensure that the work we produce is of the utmost quality. No job is too big or too small for our dedicated team, and we’ll be on hand at all times to manage the project, completely eradicating the stress from the procedure.

Creative ideas on how to turn your home office into a stylish haven

Get a desk with built-in storage

When you have a small home office, storage tends to be an issue. Where on Earth will you store your stacks of sticky notes and cool pens? Before you know it, you’re elbow-deep in loose papers, wires. Invest in a desk that not only serves as a desk but can also be used to store all of those essentials that you don’t want lying around or in reach of your little ones!

Add a rug or cushions

This will give you a cosier feel to your work space, it can also make your workspace feel bigger.

Light it up

As well as ensuring you get as much natural light as possible we recommend turning off the harsh overhead lighting (that you don’t miss from your work office!) and instead using a mix of floor and table lamps or even candles to give off a smoother light that still does it’s job without making you squint!

Just add plants

Given that you’ll be spending a good chunk of your day at your desk, you may as well dress it up so that it’s visually stimulating and gives you a burst of energy when you start losing steam. One way to do this is with small plants. Use easy-to-care plants near your desk.

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