Successful businesses are often unique. Whether it’s the way they relate to their clients, their strategy, or their company culture. There’s always something that makes them stand out, but more than anything, it’s their company culture that truly sets them apart. But what exactly influences the culture? Is it constantly changing? Is the culture supported by more than just the employees? Many factors go into shaping and establishing company culture. Some factors you might not expect.
Our surroundings have a bigger impact on us individually and as a whole, than we realize. The environment that we live in says a lot about who we are, how we work, and even how we communicate. Given this, should our office just be a place where we work? Should it be a place where we thrive? Or, should it say something about who we are? StrongProject sees the value in creating and supporting a custom culture with custom furniture.
Custom Furniture as a Reflection of Company Culture
There are many companies that work in a space that directly reflects them. Some laid-back offices might have expansive lounge areas. Others might have rec rooms. More health-conscious and wellness-centered companies might have a gym or even spa services available. Ultimately, it depends on what your employees need and what you want them to have.
All of the fun stuff can be important but the essentials are what’s most important. In some cases, companies design their office around their culture. In others, culture is an afterthought as the company grows. Company culture isn’t just about how employees are treated or how they act toward each other and clients.
Culture also involves how they work and how they feel. The tools they need to succeed. Even how you give them those tools, with countless approaches to office design, whether it be the psychology behind color selection, the layout, or the different zones you create, the office you design sets a precedent. It sets a precedent for collaboration, private and focused work, and connection.
5 Furniture Customizations for Company Culture
Customized furniture is such a unique way for you to put your mark on the office and the company culture. Generic cookie-cutter furniture might be the easiest way to design an office, but it might result in a sterile, plain environment not indicative of who or what the company is. Here are 5 ways to customize your office design to customize your furniture.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics has been a hot topic for quite some time. As companies have shifted their focus toward more healthy initiatives, an emphasis has been put on long-term employee health. Introducing ergonomic furniture into the office can ensure employee health, and comfort, and greatly reduce the long-lasting health implications of sitting or working in an unsupported – literally and figuratively – working environment.
Personalization
When we have our own space, it’s human nature to want to customize it. This might mean putting mementos on your desk or hanging pictures on the wall of a cubicle. However, personalization can go beyond small changes. Personalization can extend into finishes and materials.
A recent article from The Business Standard talks about the impact of colors and the psychology of colors. The study discusses how single colors can be used to guide employees. For example, maybe you want to encourage connection or want workers to feel relaxed. In the article from The Business Standard, they published an illustration with a breakdown of specific colors and the way each one affects us individually and as a company.
Multi-Functionality
As time has become more and more important and space has become more expensive, companies are having to get creative in order to ensure employees have a space where they can succeed. Functionality limits wasted space and excess spending on furniture. However, it also conveys a culture of adaptability and innovation.
Customizing your office with highly functional furniture allows your staff to shift gears easily and take a more flex approach to work. Space might be limited in the office, but that doesn’t mean potential should be also. Customize your office design with what employees need to excel. Foster a culture of support and adaptability.
Identity
The look of an office can convey elegance, innovation, or one of many other motifs. The aesthetic you choose for your office is completely customizable. However, it doesn’t have to fit in one box or one style of design. It can be a blend of a modern feel with a classy touch or can be a bright and fun vibe to convey creativity.
The way you chose to customize your office design and blend designs, says everything about the culture to others that they need to know.
Technology
Tech is an aspect of office design that can’t be avoided any longer. With complete storage solutions migrating to cloud tech or fewer and smaller devices needed day to day, there needs to be a way to support the use of tech. Customizing office furniture with carefully placed charging ports using software for employee monitoring, or even automated tasks makes it easier and hassle-free to work.
StrongProject Company Culture Project Showcase
Blue Yield
Find ways to implement functionality into the company culture
Blue Yield is an innovative auto finance firm that connects consumers with a network of lenders. They offer competitive rates and large credit spectrum coverage. Blue Yeaild’s office needed to show the simple, transparent, company culture with which both clients and partners can engage with Blue Yield. While they capture the energy of their dynamic corporate culture.
Rather than seeing the 13,000 square feet of open office space as a challenge, we saw it as an opportunity. One to build a vibrant, connected office for workers and executives alike.
Taking inspiration from the orange accent in Blue Yield’s primary blue logo, we found a color scheme that was bright and inviting, bringing energy to the space. For example, the office has crisp white desks, orange ergonomic chairs, and modular white and orange workstations with modern opaque privacy dividers. To avoid the monotony of traditional cubicles, we used two distinct station designs for different department needs, adding variety and functionality.
A key challenge was creating private working and meeting spaces within an open, environment. We addressed this by carefully designing a screened modular co-working space. For example, rounded seating and a shared work table, provide a balance of privacy and collaboration.
Two conference areas were designed to reflect different atmospheres. However, the smaller conference room mirrors the same color palette and minimalist style as the open office, maintaining the energy and vibrancy of the workspace. The larger conference room, located off the main area, transitions smoothly with neutral tones, statement art, and transparent light installations. Its larger meeting table and refined design create a professional space for staff meetings, anchoring the company’s sense of purpose and morale.
WorkLogic HR
WorkLogic HR is a leading provider of comprehensive HR services, serving businesses of all sizes. Known for their great HR solutions, they offer a wide range of services. This includes HR consulting, outsourcing, payroll, benefits, and workers’ compensation.
For their 21,000 sq ft office, StrongProject took a natural approach to design, focusing on ergonomics, comfort, and productivity. The goal was to create a space that not only supported focused work but also offered areas for relaxation and private concentration.
The reception area was reimagined with a sleek, curved green desk and minimal yet inviting seating, striking a balance between open and professional.
At the heart of the open office, we integrated state-of-the-art ergonomic chairs, acoustic furniture for private one-on-ones, and versatile tables for brainstorming and casual relaxation. This central hub encourages collaboration, fosters employee connection, and sparks creativity.
Rather than traditional large conference rooms, StrongProject and WorkLogic chose to incorporate multiple smaller collaborative spaces to promote agility within their company culture and enhance teamwork on group projects. Various seating arrangements were designed to maintain the company’s streamlined brand while offering flexibility. One brainstorming area featured rounded green chairs with mini-tables and a portable charging station, while another offered a four-person work table surrounded by comfortable seating. Long couches were strategically placed throughout the office, allowing employees to step away from their desks and engage in informal work or take a break.
Private offices were designed with adjustable-height desks and sleek, low-profile white filing systems to maintain a clean, modern aesthetic that complemented the bold green and orange branding.
Customize Your Company Culture
All StrongProject clients are unique. Their mission. Their vision. The key is their culture. We know that your company has unique needs and requires unique solutions. We don’t just sell you office furniture. Our team helps you through the whole process, works with your budget, and helps customize your culture. Contact StrongProject today to learn how we can help you build your office and drive your culture.
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