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Category: Office Fitout (page 4 of 8)

5 signs it’s time for an office refurbishment

A tired or outdated office could be having more of an impact on your business’ success than you realise.

Your office’s appearance can have a big effect on employee mood and wellbeing, directly impacting productivity, retention rates and even your business’ profit margin.

Look out for these 5 signs that your business could benefit from and office refurbishment.

The interior is tired, dark or drab

Does your office’s interior communicate the right message to employees and visitors? Faded curtains, stained carpets, and outdated decor can give the impression of a business that isn’t doing very well or doesn’t have high standards. Revitalising your office to create a space you are proud of and enjoy spending time in can also help to inspire and motivate employees and win the trust of clients.

Your business has re-branded

If your business has rebranded or your company culture has evolved, then refurbishing your office can help to reflect these changes and ensure continuity in your branding.

It’s feeling cramped or cluttered

A cluttered, cramped or untidy workspace can be distracting and demotivating for employees. If you’ve run out of room, or your office is beginning to feel claustrophobic, a refurbishment can help you to gain more space.

Employee morale is very low

Employees working in uninspiring or neglected spaces can feel undervalued and demotivated by their work environment. If morale is low, then productivity often suffers too, ultimately having a negative effect on your business’ reputation and bottom line.

Health and safety are being compromised

As well as creating an unpleasant work environment, an old and tired office can also pose a significant health and safety risk. Trailing wires, faulty electrical items, overloaded plug sockets, broken chairs and tables, and blocked fire exits are just some of the common health and safety issues that can easily be rectified with an office refurb.

Need some advice and help with refurbishing your office? Get in touch with our team here at Millennium Storage and Interiors to discuss your requirements and find out more about our office refurb services.

How to choose the right racking for your warehouse

November 6, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

The right racking system can have a significant impact on how efficiently your warehouse operates.

Your warehouse’s storage system is at the heart of its operation. Choosing a storage system that is ideal for your space, the items you are storing, and your picking process, will help your operation to run more efficiently and your team to be more productive.

Factors to consider when choosing warehouse racking

When deciding which type of racking is most suitable for your warehouse you should ask yourself the following questions:

What type of items do I need to store?
How much space do I have? (vertical as well as ground space)
What is the maximum load weight the racking will be required to support?
Is forklift access required?
What are my warehouse layout and product flow requirements?

Popular types of warehouse racking

There are plenty of different racking and shelving options available to choose from, some of the commonest types include:

Drive in/through racking – Maximises storage space in your warehouse by reducing the size of the forklift aisles. Choose from drive in racking with one point of access to each aisle, or drive through racking which has both an entrance and an exit, meaning the first load in is the first one out.
Cantilever racking – Ideal for storing large and bulky items of varying shapes and sizes, particularly very long loads like beams and tubes. Cantilever racking is very strong and can be adapted to your requirements.
Adjustable pallet racking – Pallet racking can be used to store a wide range of products of varying sizes and weights and are the ideal solution for picking. Pallets are lifted onto the racking by forklifts.

At Millennium Storage and Interiors, we stock a wide range of racking and shelving solutions for warehouses. If you require help choosing an option suitable for your requirements, get in touch with our team by calling 0942 603 344.

Common warehouse hazards and how to avoid them

October 15, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Safety tips for overcoming common warehouse hazards.

The average warehouse can be littered with potential hazards, including heavy loads, dangerous equipment and machinery.

Use the tips in this blog to help you to identify and minimise hazards to create a safer work environment.

Falls, slips and trips

Failure to keep a warehouse organised, tidy and clean can lead to dangerous slips, trips and falls.

Proper storage and organisation of products, machinery and equipment should always be adhered to.
Debris should be cleared up immediately and never left on the ground.
Any spills should be cleaned up immediately.
Aisles and passageways should always be kept unobstructed.

Falling objects

Objects falling from racking or machinery can cause significant damage and injury.

Items should be stacked carefully and evenly with maximum loads always being adhered to.
Heavier loads should be stacked lower down, with lighter loads stacked on higher shelves.
Racking and shelves should be inspected regularly to ensure they are in good condition.

Strain injuries

Warehouse employees are at risk of suffering injury if they are frequently lifting and carrying heavy or bulky items or performing repetitive actions.

Employees should all receive adequate training in how to correctly lift and carry heavy items to avoid injury.
Employees should be provided with machinery and equipment to relieve the strain of repetitive or strenuous tasks.

Forklift injuries

Employees tasked with operating or working with forklifts are at risk of being pinned by a forklift or hit by falling items if they do not adhere to proper health and safety procedures.

Warning signs should be clearly displayed to warn people of potential danger zones.
Only employees that have completed the relevant training should access and operate forklifts.
Forklift equipment should be regularly inspected for signs of damage.

Hazardous materials

If your warehouse uses or stores hazardous chemicals, strict health and safety procedures should be adhered to to reduce employee exposure and prevent accidents occurring.

Only employees who have complete appropriate chemical handling training should work with hazardous materials.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should always be worn when handling hazardous substances.

Arrange a warehouse safety inspection from our team of qualified personnel by giving us a call on 01942 603 344.

6 tips for designing a tranquil and stress-free office environment

September 15, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

A tranquil and stress-free office design helps to foster happy, healthy and productive employees.

Stressed employees may find it difficult to concentrate and become demotivated or at risk of burning out.

When your employees feel relaxed and happy, they will find it easier to focus on their work, increasing productivity and improving the atmosphere in your workplace.

Here are 6 office design tips for reducing employee stress levels to improve both wellbeing and productivity.

Partitioning– Office partitioning offers employees privacy and provides them with their own space to focus on their work. It is also an effective solution for reducing noise and minimising distraction in the workplace, creating a calm and stress-free environment that encourages productivity.

Clear the clutter– Mess and clutter can have a negative psychological effect on our minds, making us feel disorganised, overwhelmed and stressed. Furnishing your office with ample storage and organisation solutions will allow you to clear away unnecessary clutter to create a clean, clear and calm work environment.

Calming colours– Paint your office in a cool and calming colour to soothe the mind and create a tranquil atmosphere. Muted tones of earthy and neutral colours work well, and blue, green, pink and grey are all known to be calming and restful colours.

Artwork– Select artwork for your office carefully. Simple line drawings, serene landscapes and seascapes, or relaxing abstract art can all help to reduce stress and create a zen atmosphere.

Natural light– Lighting that is too bright or harsh can increase stress levels in the workplace. Maximise natural light wherever possible as getting enough natural light is very important to mental wellbeing and regulating your sleep/wake cycle.

Bring plants inside– As well as looking attractive, indoor plants can help to improve air quality and reduce stress and anxiety.

For help and advice with designing your office, get in touch with our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by giving us a call on 01942 603 344.

Is the colour of your office affecting employee productivity?

August 20, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Colours can affect our emotions and influence our actions, so you should select the colour scheme for your office carefully.

Have you considered that the colour of your workplace could be influencing the mood, wellbeing, and subsequently, your employees’ performance?

Your office’s colour palette sets the tone for the mood within your office. A bright and colourful environment can stimulate and energise the mind, inspiring creativity. Whilst cool and muted colours can create a calm and peaceful environment.

Research into the psychology of colours has shown that different colours can elicit particular emotions and behaviours within us.

Consult our guide to the psychology of colours below to discover how your office is making employees feel and which colour you should paint the walls next.

Blue– When used in moderation within a professional environment, blue is said to be a stable and calming colour that encourages productivity.

Red– If you want to motivate and energise employees then red is an excellent colour to add to your interior’s palette. Red is said to create a dynamic atmosphere and can help employees to work more efficiently.

Green– Green is a calming colour that we associate with nature.

Yellow– Yellow is an uplifting and positive colour that can encourage creativity.

Purple– If you want to create a calm and thoughtful zone, then purple and violet can be excellent colours for encouraging spirituality and creativity.

Rather than going overboard with any of these colours, its best to introduce them to the office in muted tones or splashes of colour.

Why not use colours that reflect the different actions and behaviours you want employees to show in different zones within your workplace.

Need help designing an office interior that will motivate employees? Speak to our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by giving us a call on 01942 603 344.

Open plan or office partitioning: which is better?

June 20, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Your office design and layout can have a big effect on employee wellbeing, productivity and efficiency.

Office design plays a large part in your business’ culture and success, so it’s worth taking the time to weigh up the pros and cons of the design options available before you decide which is best suited to your team and space.

Open plan offices

Open plan offices tend to be light and airy as there are no walls or cubicles between workspaces, which many people find motivating and energising.

Open plan offices encourage communication, which is great for collaborative work and getting to know each other.

On the downside, employee productivity can decrease in open plan environments for a couple of reasons. Some employees may find open plan environments distracting and stressful, and a lot of time may be wasted on conversations that are not work-related.

Partitioned offices

Partitioned offices give everyone their own individual workspace away from distraction. Office partitioningpromotes a quiet and relaxing environment that is good for concentration and increases employee productivity.

Whilst some employees thrive in partitioned offices, other individuals may find the lack of social interaction demotivating.

Many businesses find that glass office partitioning is an excellent compromise, as it allows employees to have their own private workspace whilst still letting plenty of light flow freely through the office. Glass partitioning can also feel less claustrophobic, particularly in a small office space.

The type of office design that is suitable for your business will depend on the work being carried out, the amount of collaborative work required, and the personalities that you employ.

Some businesses find that the best way forward is to employ a mixture of both partitioned areas and more open plan break out areas to give employees the best of both worlds.

For help and advice choosing the right office designfor your business, get in touch with our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by giving us a call on 01942 603 344.

Benefits of glass office partitioning

June 6, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Choose glass office partitions to enjoy the visual appeal of a bright and spacious open plan design, whilst simultaneously sectioning off and dividing your space for maximum productivity.

More and more businesses are now choosing to update their office design with functional and attractive glass partitioning. Here are just five of the key benefits of glass office partitions.

Aesthetically pleasing

Switching from traditional partitioning to glass partitioning can completely makeover an office to give it a swish, new, contemporary feel. Glass partitioning looks modern and attractive, creating a great first impression and boosting employee wellbeing and productivity.

Free-flowing light

One major benefit of glass partitioning is that it allows natural light to flow freely through the office. Natural light is extremely important to our health and wellbeing, and healthy employees are happy and motivated employees. Letting in lots of natural light also reduces the need for artificial lights, reducing your business’ electricity bill.

Divided but not alone

Glass partitioning is used to create clearly defined areas and workspaces in your office without isolating people. Employees can benefit from their own individual workspaces whilst also enjoying a clear view of the office, preventing them from feeling segregated.

Reduce noise

Whilst employees can still see each other, glass partitions make it more difficult to partake in idle chitchat, helping to improve concentration and productivity. They also offer effective sound insulation, providing employees with a peaceful and relaxing work environment.

The illusion of more space

Solid partitions can sometimes feel claustrophobic, particularly in an office that is already very small. Using glass partitions allows you to create clear sections and spaces within your office without making it feel enclosed or cramped.

For more information about glass office partitioning, get in touch with our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by giving us a call on 01942 603344.

Office design features that increase productivity

May 20, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Could your office design be holding your employees back from reaching their full potential?

The design of your office workspace could be having more of an impact on employee performance than you realise. Creating an inspiring work environment that assists productivity and looks after employee health and wellbeing is key to boosting productivity.

Does your office incorporate these five design features that are key to productivity?

Natural light – Not getting enough natural light can take its toll on the health and wellbeing of your employees. Working in an environment with poor levels of natural light can disrupt sleep, increase the risk of mental health problems, and cause health problems related to vitamin D deficiency. Fill your office with natural light and sunshine to keep employees feeling bright-eyed and healthy as well as boosting moods and productivity.

Ergonomics – No one can perform to the best of their ability if they’re not comfortable at work. Taking the time to ensure that the ergonomics of your employee’s desk spaces are correct is essential to the health, wellbeing, and productivity of your workforce.

Partitions – Office partitioninggives individuals their own private workspace, minimising distractions and aiding concentration. Partitions encourage a quieter and more relaxing work environment, reducing stress and encouraging productivity.

Social spaces – Whilst partitioned workspaces are excellent for staying focussed on individual tasks, it can be beneficial to also include social spaces in your office design. Social break out spaces are useful for employees working on collaborative tasks. Employees are more productive when they can take short mental breaks away from their desks between tasks to recharge. Social spaces provide a change of scenery and the opportunity to gain a new perspective.

Add plants – Spending time in nature is said to be good for our wellbeing, making us feel more connected and relaxed. Most of us spend our working hours shut away in offices, so it makes sense that if we can’t be outside, we should bring a little of the great outdoors indoors instead. Bringing houseplants into the office will help to clean and oxygenate the air to improve employee wellbeing and boost productivity. In fact, a study has found that employees are 15% more productivewhen plants are added to the office.

Ready to find out more about our market-leading office partitioning solutions? Give our team of experts a call on 01942 603 344 to discuss your requirements.

Affordable ideas for modernising an outdated office

May 7, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

If your office has become drab and you can’t afford a full refurb, use the ideas in this blog to transform it back into a motivating space.

Your office should be a pleasant and relaxing space that inspires creativity and motivates employees. A rundown or drab office could be having more of a negative impact on morale and staff performance than you realise.

If you’re not ready to invest in a full refurb, implementing just a few of these ideas can help to bring your office back to life.

Add art and plants– Ditch the tired, old, cheesy corporate posters and invest in some bold artwork for your walls. Choose art that is personal to your business or that reflects the atmosphere you’re trying to create. Art doesn’t have to be expensive; you can pick up some great prints at affordable prices on Etsy. If you’ve got a creative team of employees, you could even make your own art as a team building exercise!

Office partitioning– Office partitioningcomes in all different shapes and sizes and is an excellent solution for revamping your office’s layout and design affordably and with minimal disruption. Glass office partitioning is particularly popular as it doesn’t block any light and has an attractive, contemporary appearance.

Add a pop of colour– Adding a few splashes of colour to a characterless office can make the world of difference to its appearance. Add a colourful rug, paint a feature wall, update the blinds on your windows, or invest in some new colourful office furniture to create a more exciting, vibrant and motivating work space.

Be creative with storage– A tidy and organised office can help employees to work more efficiently, feel more relaxed, and be more productive. Invest in some modern storage units and clear the clutter to make your office cleaner, tidier and more attractive.

Light– Natural light keeps us feeling happy, healthy and motivated. Try rearranging the furniture in your office to let more light in. If you are using solid partitioning walls, updating to glass partitions can make a dramatic difference to the light and atmosphere in your office.

Mezzanine design safety requirements

April 10, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

The two most important considerations when designing a mezzanine floor are that the structure is fit for purpose and safe.

Mezzanine floors are an ideal solution for conveniently and affordably increasing the size of your business premises.

No matter how big or how small your new mezzanine floor is going to be, it will need to be designed by an expert who can ensure that it complies with all relevant building and safety regulations.

A few of the key safety requirements of a mezzanine floor are:

Guard rail– To comply with building regulations, all mezzanines must have toe boards and hand rails to provide users with protection from falling. Guard rails protect people from slipping, tripping or falling over the edge of a mezzanine floor. You will also need to ensure that the rail is installed at the right height and can withstand a certain amount of force, our team of designers will help you to ensure that your guard rail meets all relevant safety requirements.

Safety gate– Areas with stairs or access for pallets should always be guarded by a safety gate to reduce the risk of anyone falling from the mezzanine floor. Safety regulations should ensure that gates are always in operation when employees are loading or unloading pallets from a forklift or other machinery.

Stability and maximum load limit– Your mezzanine floor will need to be designed according to building regulations to ensure that it can safely hold the weight it is intended to. Your mezzanine must be a safe and stable structure that will stand steadfast even in the event of ground movement or severe weather.

Access and fire safety– Your new mezzanine will need to be carefully designed with fire safety regulations in mind. These specifications will vary depending on the size of your building, number of employees, and size of the mezzanine.

Contact our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by calling us on 01942 603 344 to discuss a mezzanine design for your business premises.