Textiles Used in Commercial Office Design
The materials used in commercial office design have a significant effect on the style and function of each piece of furniture. If you’re thinking about redesigning the office to provide the best possible comfort and aesthetic, you may be interested in learning more about popular textiles often used for workplace furniture and decor. Here, we share more about textiles used in interior design and offer tips on how to use them in your own office:
What Are Textiles?
Although many equate textiles with fabric, they’re not exactly the same. A textile is made by weaving, knitting, felting, or tufting. They can be constructed from a broad spectrum of materials, which we’ll outline below. Textiles are often used for window coverings, floor coverings, mats, and more applications in the office environment.
Natural Fibers
Natural fibers are often used for upholstery or floor coverings such as rugs. These fibers encompass a wide range of materials, and each is derived from animals or plants. Natural fibers include but are not limited to:
- Wool: a hypoallergenic animal-based fiber with excellent water resistance
- Leather: derived from animal hide and revered for its durability and luxurious feel
- Silk: a natural fiber often chosen for its soft feel and natural luster
- Cotton: a popular textile for both home and office applications due to its versatility and breathability
- Linen: a plant-based fiber that’s stiffer than cotton and known for its lightweight and absorbent properties
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers are also commonly-used textiles in commercial modern office design. Synthetic fibers are often less expensive than natural fibers, and they’re also highly stain resistant and water resistant. Synthetic fibers are frequently used in office design and are used to create coated fabrics and performance fabrics. Some of the materials used in these fabrics include:
- Polyester: a strong yet flexible textile that’s derived from a chemical reaction with petroleum
- Nylon: a textile originally produced in 1935 and known for being highly abrasion resistant
- Rayon: a manufactured material that is often used as a less-expensive silk alternative
- Acrylics: made from colorless volatile liquids and cut into smaller pieces that resemble wool
- Modacrylics: modacrylics’ production is similar to acrylics, but this textile is extremely flame retardant and resistant to insects, making it a great choice for outdoor applications
- Vinyl: also known as PVC and often used in upholstery or exterior fabrics
- Silicone: this textile has become widely used in corporate, healthcare, and higher education settings. Made from siloxane polymers, this material is recognizable for its rubber-like feel and heat resistance.
- Crypton: Crypton fabrics are widely considered to be the gold standard in commercial textiles. This material is the only fabric to receive clearance by the EPA to be disinfected. It’s highly environmentally-friendly and resists moisture, stains, and odors.
Textiles are a vital component of modern commercial office design. There are a plethora of options available, and we’re here to help you determine the best choices for the modern office design in your workplace. When you’re ready for assistance from professional designers in creating your ideal workspace, please contact our team to arrange a consultation. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, from the initial project meeting to furniture procurement and installation.
How Virtual Presentations Help in the Modern Office Design Process
When considering an office redesign, visualizing the interior prior to purchasing furniture, fixtures, and décor is crucial. At Environments Denver, we create virtual presentations so you can conceptualize how selected products will look in real time. Here, we highlight the importance of using virtual presentations during the modern office design process.
Visualize the Space
With an array of styles, themes, and décor available, planning an office redesign can be overwhelming. Simply selecting a color scheme is daunting, much less making sure each office chair, lamp, or shelf is cohesive and fits within its allotted space. Our 2D and 3D renderings allow for a better visualization of an office’s design potential, assisting in the overall design process.
Make Adjustments
Even though you may feel confident in your décor selections, it’s not only comforting, but cost-effective to have the opportunity to envision the space before you make a purchase. You may discover that the shape of the intended conference room table doesn’t coordinate with the selected seating you chose. Prior to the actual purchase, Environments lets you swap out products to see which fit best, giving you the option to alter the space until you are satisfied with the 2D or 3D display.
Order Custom Furniture
Perhaps you envision a totally unique desk, or need to optimize shelving for peak storage space. We provide detailed shop drawings for custom furniture and work with an array of experienced partners who are adept at creating beautiful, quality pieces. We also offer a selection of finishes and fabric options, meaning your office will look exactly how you imagined. Gone are the days of standard, uninspired office furniture. Environments’ custom furniture design facilitates the creation of a space that better communicates your brand, while staying on budget.
Color Consultation
Implementing splashes of color throughout the office has the ability to enliven the space, inspire employees, and foster positive energy. If you would like to brighten up the office’s interior with color, we offer a color consultation that demonstrates how each color will present in your office.
Save on Enhancements
Improve the workplace flawlessly the first time by selecting high-quality furnishings and décor that the staff and clients will love. By partnering with our design team, we are confident you will love your new office aesthetic and won’t need to redecorate any time soon.
Environments Denver takes pride in designing workplaces whose décor showcases the ethos and focus of the company. We believe in the power of modern office design and delight in outfitting spaces that inspire all those who enter. Our virtual presentations help exemplify how interior decorating styles and furniture selections will fit in your current office space. Contact us for a free consultation today.
The Impact of Interior Design in a Restaurant
A restaurant’s interior carries just as much importance as its cuisine. The design of an eatery, fine dining establishment, or fast-casual joint has a definite psychological impact on guests. A positive design may entice patrons to stay longer, order more, and even render your spot their go-to date night locale. Each decorating decision – from the restaurant furniture design to the wall art – speaks volumes. Here are some of the ways interior design may help a restaurant’s overall success and longevity.Read more
2020 Office Design Trends
As we move away from 2019 and fully embrace the start of a new decade, businesses may consider a redesign of their interior space. Over the past decade, we’ve seen workplaces shift from a focus on individuality and privacy to promotion of company culture and communal work environments. Many of this year’s design trends facilitate a positive work-life balance and a healthy well-being by incorporating sustainable office furniture, comfortable domestic finishes, and natural elements. Here are some more exciting office design trends we look forward to seeing in 2020.
Dynamic Elements
As businesses become increasingly innovative and progressive, so too do our workspaces. The communal office aesthetic is here to stay, but companies are also set on providing their staff with private break-away zones to work individually. Keeping this ever-changing office concept in mind, designers have improved traditional pieces and made them malleable, mobile, and lightweight. This year we’ll see movable partitions, collapsible tables, and mobile furniture make their way to our workspaces. Each versatile piece helps offices create the space they need for the project at hand.
Natural Materials
As we continue to become a more health-conscious population, we crave a workplace that benefits both our mental and physical well-being. The desire for white-washed, windowless office spaces is waning and the need for sunlight, engaging design, and natural touches is growing. Materials reflective of our earth’s environment are making appearances in office spaces around the country. Wood fixtures, stone features, and live plants help bring the outside in and boost moods and productivity.
Community Engagement
Businesses are realizing the value in fostering a positive company culture that encourages coworkers to collaborate, share, and engage throughout the day. Creating an open workplace is the most straightforward way to facilitate collaboration and inspiration. Large tables, movable desks, and break-out zones bring staff together while still providing a necessary and functional workspace.
Domestic Touches
Taking the sense of community one step further, 2020 trends show the incorporation of domestic touches throughout the office. Comfy couches laden with throw pillows, plush lounge chairs with footstools, and large, colorful area rugs adorn communal office spaces. Not only does this trend lend itself to a pleasing overall aesthetic, but it also entices employees to stay longer or come in earlier. Creating an office space that looks and feels like home will also encourage any remote staff to drop in more frequently. Foster a loyal, caring company culture by providing comfort and convenience for staff members.
Sustainability
As concern for our environment grows, businesses are called to minimize their footprints wherever they can. Utilizing sustainable office supplies and designing with furniture made from recycled materials is becoming increasingly important and easy to do. As 2020 unfolds, we will see offices move even closer toward green practices. Now more than ever, there are myriad sustainable office design options available that are affordable and visually pleasing.
At Environments Denver, we make it our top priority to outfit your office with the most updated and innovative designs. Contact us today to learn more!
Our Favorite Sustainable Office Furniture Pieces
Businesses play a crucial role in contributing to a greener world. By implementing green practices, including the utilization of sustainable office furniture, companies can give back to their communities and play a positive part in economic development.Read more
Office Design Throughout the Decades: the 1970s
Since the 1970s, office design, furniture, and technology have changed substantially to reflect ever-shifting economic and cultural changes. Our modern office spaces are a far cry from the workplace that a typical 1970s employee would have experienced. Here are a few of the most significant office furniture trends and interior design hallmarks during this historic decade.
Interior Flow
The 1960s office bridged the gap between the 1950s open office plan and the hierarchical layout assumed by traditional office spaces by including cubicles in most workplace designs. The 1970s kept this floorplan and assigned supervisors, managers, and executives the corner desks or offices. This arrangement also reflected the tangible tiered system employees needed to work through in order to receive promotions and raises.
Office Furniture
The 1970s saw huge advancements in office furniture. Designers created the first ergonomic office chair that was constructed with the user’s physical health in mind. During the last 50 years, the ergonomic chair has become a standard piece of furniture amongst American workplaces and has undergone countless redesigns. The introduction of ergonomic office furniture made the office more comfortable, promoted better posture, and fostered health and wellness.
The 1970s boasted many fixtures we no longer see in modern work spaces. Certain stalwarts, like ashtrays, desk blotters, and single-pen holders, no longer grace office desks.
Technology
The rise of the computer is one of the most notable aspects of 1970s office design. While computers have been in use since the 1930s, our modern-day desktops and laptops most closely resemble the units released during the beginning of this decade.
Microcomputers, also called PCs, were gaining notoriety and became increasingly available to small businesses as the decade progressed. While many offices still used typewriters, the shift from manual word processers to PCs was beginning to take place. The introduction of microcomputers diminished the need for huge filing systems, duplicate copies, and off-site file storage.
The telephone also looked very different than today’s office phone systems. The mobile and portable phone didn’t hit the commercial workplace until the 1980s. Instead, offices and desks were outfitted with rotary phones, new (at the time) push button phones, or manual telephone switchboards – the last of which wasn’t retired until 1983.
Design
Key elements that we now associate with the 1970s were also showcased in office design trends. Geometric patterns and shapes were utilized in furniture, wallpaper, and furnishings. Nature stepped in to color the walls and textiles with greens, yellows, and browns, while shag carpet graced the floors of lobbies and break rooms throughout the workplace.
The 1970s gave birth to some of America’s most memorable cultural icons: Disco, Star Wars, 8-track players, and plenty of plaid. Office furniture trends and interior design were also remarkable in their own right, taking on trappings of this unique decade while acting as a bridge between the free loving 60s and the wild 80s. Environments Denver stays on top of current trends and loves to collaborate with commercial business owners to help execute design vision. Contact us today to learn more about how we may be able to help.
Tips for Selecting Commercial Flooring
When tackling an office redesign, it’s important to consider the many flooring options available. Your workplace flooring plays an essential role in determining the look, feel, and style of the entire commercial office design. When selecting your office flooring, give careful thought to the following key factors.
Consider Health and Safety
Colorado’s weather can turn on a dime. Summer thunderstorms can roll in and winter blizzards have been known to hit with little forewarning. Select flooring that can stand up to mud and snow. Durable, nonslip flooring can help protect your employees from slips and falls. Certain patterns and materials may better mask tracked-in grime and can be easily cleaned in little time.
Additionally, you may want to select floors that emit little-to-no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to ensure your staff stays safe and healthy while at work. For occupations that require a fair amount of standing and walking, having softer, cushioned flooring can prove tremendously helpful in decreasing joint and muscle pain.
Weigh Affordable Options
When considering reflooring your commercial office space, you’ll need to examine the cost of both the material and installation. Certain surfaces like concrete, carpet, and vinyl are considerably less expensive than hardwood or rubber. Employing hardwood floors in key areas like the lobby or conference room may elevate the office’s aesthetic.
Calculate Lifetime Maintenance
Hardwood needs resurfacing to retain its shiny and smooth finish, whereas concrete may require staining or sealing throughout its lifetime. Be sure to build this into the cost of the flooring so you can make an informed purchase that fits well within your redesign budget.
Sound Reduction is Key
Depending on your industry, sound masking may be of top priority. Salons, doctors’ offices, and even large, open-floor plan office spaces can benefit from a cushioned floor. Quieter materials like vinyl and carpet are more absorbent than harder surfaces like tile, wood and concrete. To encourage a quiet environment, select a floor that is less likely to magnify sound.
Harmonize with Current Décor
Your commercial office design is of the utmost importance when communicating your company’s image, style, and brand. A space’s flooring can tie an entire office aesthetic together and provide a polished look. However, be mindful that your flooring doesn’t dominate the interior design. The color, pattern, and finish should harmonize with existing décor.
Environments provides superior office solutions for all of your commercial office design needs in Denver. We pride ourselves in partnering with the finest designers, engineers, and manufacturers to supply only the best in office design solutions. Contact us today to learn more.
The Science Behind Your Ergonomic Office Furniture
Some workplace trends may ebb and flow, however, ergonomic office furniture is one facet of commercial office design that continues to gain popularity. The scientifically designed furniture and technology has been proven to benefit the health and well-being of office staff. Today, ergonomic office pieces blend state-of-the-art technology with an attractive aesthetic to help create a space that provides health benefits to users. Here’s what you need to know about ergonomic designs in your commercial space.
What Is Ergonomics?
Simply put, ergonomics is about creating a workplace in accordance with its users’ needs. Ergonomics focuses on designing everyday office tools to fit the handler’s form, thereby increasing efficiency and decreasing discomfort. This scientific approach to workplace design considers angles, placement, support, and most importantly, examines how each relates to our individual human forms.
Consider the height of your office chair in relation to the computer monitor. Ergonomic placement of each can dramatically improve posture, mobility, and comfort while reducing strain on muscles, joints, and eyes. Through understanding the human body and its movement, ergonomics seeks to improve all aspects of the office environment with conscious and thoughtful design.
What is Ergonomic Furniture?
The ergonomic office chair has been around for decades and continues to be a key piece in any modern commercial office space. Each year, we see new inventions in ergonomic design that seek to improve users’ experience by fostering their physical health. We spend about eight hours a day in the office and a significant amount of time in our desk chairs. The modern ergonomic office chair may now include tilters, adjustable lumbar support, memory foam seats, and moveable arm rests. The science behind each feature is based on the variety of human body types, abilities, and needs.
Ergonomics also seeks to encourage movement throughout the day. Traditional office furniture has forced users to remain rigid and sedentary; however, the sit-to-stand desk allows the operator to work in healthy seated and standing positions throughout the day. Providing comfortable mats with standing desks will reduce lower back pain and joint stress. Ergonomic keyboards, phones, and headsets encourage natural movement when using each item. Users won’t strain to hold a phone between their neck and shoulder, nor will they hold wrists and hands in awkward positions when typing or dialing.
Innovations in Ergonomics
Science has answered many physical needs through advancements in ergonomic office furniture design. We are now seeing a greater emphasis placed on the prevention of mental strain, stress, and burn-out. Ergonomics is growing to include practices beyond monitor placement, neutral positioning, and physical movement. Apps to promote micro-breaks and mindfulness can be considered ergonomic innovations, reducing pain and discomfort on a mental level.
Implementing ergonomic design and furnishings throughout your commercial office space can greatly increase the health and well-being of your staff. By choosing ergonomic chairs, desks, and technology, you may increase efficiency and provide a space that employees enjoy using each day. At Environments Denver, we understand the importance of attractive and functional commercial office design and can help you maximize the use of your space. For an ergonomic consultation, contact us today.
Office Design Throughout the Decades: The 1960s
The 60s is arguably one of our nation’s most iconic eras. This decade saw the Vietnam War, the moon landing, a presidential assassination, and the advent of a free-love lifestyle. Culture and livelihoods began to move from smaller, rural towns to the ever-expanding cities and suburbs. To reflect these significant changes, home décor, fashion, and office design also shifted from more muted and subtle displays that were prevalent in previous decades. The 60s saw the dawn of many office furnishings and styles that we still use today. We share a few of the most popular trends in commercial office design throughout this groovy decade below.
The Cubicle
Workplaces of the 50s implemented a hierarchical layout in which elite office staff were placed in spacious and private offices around the perimeter. Entry-level staff was grouped in the middle in large, open-desk communal spaces. At the start of the 60s, more women entered the workforce and there was a greater push for equality amongst staff of all levels.
The introduction of the cubicle was an attempt at leveling out power and offering equality, privacy, and security to a majority of office staff. Instead of few employees receiving quiet, private spaces, the cubicle could allow all staff a personal workstation without devouring precious square footage. This design didn’t prevent conversation or collaboration; rather, it allowed for less distraction and interruption. The cubicle remains a mainstay of many office designs and still gives staff a significant amount of autonomy without making the entire office feel cluttered or cramped.
Modern Minimalism
The 60s is synonymous with bright, fun colors, whimsical patterns, and most importantly, the challenging of societal norms. It’s no surprise that office design throughout this decade reflects changing attitudes. Modern furniture with sleek surfaces and curved lines were inviting and fun while still remaining professional and functional. Pops of color found their way into curtains, upholstery, and appliances, fostering an increasingly light-hearted approach to the workplace environment.
Comfortable Lounge Areas
When we think of the 60s office space, we often conjure images of advertising magnet Don Draper from Mad Men, clinking whiskey glasses with business execs across a mid-century modern coffee table from the comfort of a bright orange sofa. This image isn’t too far off. While offices did facilitate the use of cubicles to give most employees their own mini office, there was still a need for entertainment and meeting spaces, as technology hadn’t yet allowed for video chats or webinars. Sales teams, clients, and colleagues could collaborate, strategize, and negotiate in private and comfortable areas complete with inviting couches, beverages, and soft lighting. Many businesses implement the same configuration in their offices to encourage staff to brainstorm, convene, and take a well-deserved coffee break.
While some constructs from the 60s have faded into the past, like the three-martini lunch, others have stayed for the better. Minimalist, whimsical design seen throughout corporate office environments in the 60s has made its way to our modern era, making the workplace more enjoyable. Environments Denver keeps up with current office trends while drawing upon tried and true furnishings, fixtures, and décor from iconic decades. Contact us today for a free consultation on your commercial office design.
Our Favorite Commercial Lighting Solutions
Captivating, innovative office design has the power to inspire staff, communicate the brand’s ethos, and attract loyal clients. However, many businesses overlook a key focal point of all commercial spaces — light fixtures. Employing interesting office lighting design inside the workplace has the power to uplift moods, increase productivity, and pull the overall interior design together. Additionally, office lighting design has evolved to be energy efficient, health-conscious, and stylish. If you’re contemplating re-designing your commercial space’s lighting, check out some of our favorites below.
Implement Lamps to Add Warmth
To foster a welcoming and comfortable environment in your commercial office space, consider adding lamps for decorative, warm touches. Lamps are versatile and adaptable, meaning you can play with design, move their location, and change shades or bulbs to amplify or tone down the mood. Purchase complementary lamps for various offices, breakout zones, and conference rooms to create a cohesive aesthetic that still adds unique touches.
Modern Light Solutions Communicate Elegance
Sleek, sophisticated light fixtures can ramp up the class of any commercial space. Instead of flat overhead lighting, consider installing sleek wall sconces or pendant lamps. These alternative yet functional light solutions illuminate without washing out. Pendant lighting has come a long way and its designs range from art-deco to antique, and everything in between. Staff will be able to work efficiently with overhead, direct lighting, and clients will admire a space that is elegant and modern.
Budget and Environmentally Friendly
Many of our lamps and fixed lighting solutions come with motion sensors or timers. Offices have the opportunity to save money by solely lighting rooms when people enter. Less energy consumption also benefits the environment and may even help businesses take steps toward LEED Certification. Moreover, automatic lights make the space more enjoyable for employees coming in first thing in the morning. Welcome staff each day to an office with the lights on — they’ll definitely appreciate it.
Dynamic Lighting
Studies have proven that natural light increases productivity and improves focus. Light that matches our bodies’ natural circadian rhythms helps keep energy levels high during waking hours and improves sleep during evening hours. Use self-adjusting dynamic lighting throughout the office to facilitate better health and well-being for the entire staff. Fluorescent overhead lighting or bright, white lightbulbs can dampen spirits and cause productivity to wane as the week goes by. Instead, draw in as much natural light as you can and couple it with internal dynamic light fixtures for a higher-functioning and more alert office.
At Environments Denver, we take pride in offering our clients the most innovative lighting solutions to ensure their office is modern, elegant, and productive. Our lighting partners are ever-evolving with regards to trends in interior design, employee wellness, and energy efficiency. Their goal is to create game-changing solutions, fit for commercial spaces of all shapes and sizes. To learn more, contact us today.
Is It Time for An Office Redesign?
2019 saw the arrival of many new office furniture design trends that facilitated efficiency and productivity while improving employee health and well-being. Gone are the days of basic furniture and plain paint colors. Offices are seeking to engage and excite staff through fresh and innovative design. The modern workplace is constantly evolving, so its design should as well. Here’s how to tell that it’s time for an office redesign.
Office Design Should Reflect Your Brand
You invested time in building a cohesive website, advertisements, content, and business cards that are reflective of your company’s brand. If your brand’s colors, design styles, fonts, and messaging are consistent throughout, then why shouldn’t it be that way in the office, as well? For instance, if your company sells organic food, then an open space floor plan painted with earth tones, furnished with soft, inviting furniture, and infused with plenty of natural light could reflect your business quite well. The workspace should mirror the company it houses so that when clients arrive, the first impressions they receive are accurate and memorable.
Workspace Décor Strengthens Company Culture
Now more than ever, jobseekers have a strong desire to find a company that aligns with their personal life, morals, and ethics. They look for a business that cares about the health and well-being of its employees. Use your office space to attract and retain employees by designing it with the user in mind. Encourage teamwork and break time by incorporating gathering spaces and breakout zones. Design the exterior to include ample seating and tables where staff can relax and step away from the work atmosphere for a moment.
Rethink the Use of Space to Boost Output
The needs of a new start-up company differ greatly from the needs of a tenured business. As a company evolves, its needs begin to shift. Perhaps you want to hire more employees, but the working space is limited by your current set-up. Or, perhaps the need to host additional meetings and conferences has grown and your present design doesn’t include a comfortable group space. Furniture and décor have evolved alongside office trends and now offer innovative ways to save space without sacrificing style.
Impress and Attract Clients with an Attractive Office
Traditionally, the office was a place to show up and conduct business during the week. However, as industries innovate and transform, there is a growing need for the work place to be more than just a place to punch in and punch out. A welcoming office design can act as a gathering place for current and future clients. Host a luncheon or happy hour to say thank you and show off your unique space. It’s important that staff and clients connect on personal levels outside of work, and a hospitable office atmosphere can provide the perfect space for this.
A well-designed workspace has the ability to inspire, engage, connect, and generate revenue. Environments Denver stays current on the latest office furniture design trends and provides functional, stylish furnishings to give your place of business the redesign it needs to better reflect your brand, boost staff morale, and attract new business. If you feel that your office could benefit from a redesign, or for general design advice, give us a call!
Textile Trends for Office Furniture in 2019
As our country’s economy continues to grow and evolve, so too do our office spaces. These areas transform on a continual basis, becoming increasingly modern hubs that foster productivity, efficiency, and connectivity. Recent years have ushered in advanced ergonomic office furniture, like sit-to-stand desks and posture-promotive seating. 2019 has continued along a path of invention by recognizing the need for contemporary office furniture that contributes to communal and coworking spaces.Read more
Key Design Elements of a Commercial Outdoor Space
Creating a space that is both fun and engaging for employees and clients provides an instant upgrade to your commercial office design. A few crucial elements are needed to truly define an outdoor space and make it an enjoyable place to take lunch breaks, host meetings, or catch up with co-workers over coffee. Here we highlight important factors business must consider when designing a commercial outdoor space.
Communicate Your Message
Elements of an exterior space can speak volumes and communicate your company’s style, energy, and focus. For example, spas, salons, and medical centers may want to exude a sense of tranquility and peace, so they would benefit from incorporating comfortable seating, quiet enclaves, and earth-toned features. Cutting-edge industries, like those in science and technology, may want to utilize a more modern design that communicates innovation and progress.
Harmonize with the Architecture
Your building’s architectural style and exterior paint color will play the biggest role in dictating the types of design elements you should choose for the outdoor space. Use complementary colors and harmonious furniture to ensure your building and the exterior space are in sync. For example, if your office building is a two story, historic brick building, then brightly colored, minimalistic furniture may draw attention away from your business instead of attracting people to it.
Highlight the Main Entry
The focal point of any company is its main entryway. Make yours inviting and attractive to potential clients by incorporating potted plants, a water feature, and perhaps a comfortable place to sit. The front door acts as your first impression, and a well-maintained, attractive entrance has the power to deliver a positive, lasting one.
Encourage Flow and Engagement
Your outdoor space should continue to communicate hospitality throughout the entire area. Provide ample seating and gathering spaces around fire pits and tables to foster conversation and connection. Facilitate the flow of your commercial outdoor space to funnel clients toward the entrances. Well-maintained pathways and landscaping work well to attract people to your business.
Conserve Energy and Promote Green Practices
It’s in a company’s best interest to conduct environmentally conscious practices; minimizing one’s footprint is the best place to start. Design your outdoor space in a way that decreases the building’s overall energy use. Install wind walls, rain catchers, and shade to keep the business operating at maximum efficiency during all seasons. Creating space to plant and maintain a summer garden also fosters sustainability and provides a team-building project for staff to collaborate on outside of the office.
Environments knows how to create engaging, attractive commercial office spaces. We understand the importance of high-quality commercial office design that accurately communicates your brand and image. Contact us for help decorating your commercial outdoor space.
Incorporating Black in Your Interior Office Design
The color black is utilized throughout art, fashion, and architecture to communicate power, courage, and strength. Its striking impression is captivating and alluring without overwhelming the senses. When planning a commercial office design, consider implementing this bold color to underscore your brand and beautify your workplace. Here are some simple and effective ways to incorporate black into your office aesthetic.Read more
The Benefits of Sound Masking
Innovations in office technology are constantly improving, paving the way for more efficient, comfortable work spaces. Sound masking is just one advancement in the realm of office construction that promotes efficacy in the work place. Environments Denver understands the importance of sound masking and offers a variety of services, including office interior design, to assist in creating a safer, more productive office. Here is everything you need to know about sound masking.
What is Sound Masking?
Office buildings are inherently quiet spaces where conversations are easily overheard. Sound masking systems are comprised of multiple speakers placed throughout the office that generate a low-frequency sound. During business hours, the speakers emit an inconspicuous background noise that helps mask conversations. Since the ambient noise level is uniform, employees are less distracted by vocal interruptions down the hall or phone calls emanating from the adjacent cubicle.
Sound Masking vs. White Noise
The term “sound masking” is often used interchangeably with white noise; however, it is not the same. White noise emits an audible, consistent sound similar to that of radio static. When used in volumes necessary to cover human conversation, it can be irritating and distracting. Sound masking is less noticeable and even creates a soothing sound, similar to a hum. It matches the volume of conversation and distorts words, instead of attempting to cover them with overpowering noises.
How Does Sound Masking Work?
Offices may implement direct or indirect sound masking practices, but both require placing small speakers throughout the office space. With direct sound masking, speakers are installed in the ceiling tiles and point directly toward the office space. This implementation encourages consistent sound masking throughout. Indirect sound masking hides the speakers in a drop ceiling and points them away from the office, toward the roof. Sound is reflected off the overhead barrier back down into the office space.
Benefits of Sound Masking
Not only does sound masking make the office environment more peaceful, it also protects employees’ and clients’ private conversations. Depending on the type of business, customers and staff may exchange sensitive information regularly; this information may easily be overheard and used out of context. Releasing ambient noise throughout the office helps mitigate security risks and encourages employees and clients to feel at ease discussing sensitive matters.
What’s more, with minimized distractions, office productivity will undoubtedly increase; employees will be better able to focus on the task at hand. With sound masking, they are less likely to be pulled away by distracting conversation or noise and can work uninterrupted.
Sound masking has the ability to take your office environment to the next level. By installing this simple technology, offices have seen increased productivity throughout the work day. Sound masking also provides invaluable security for clients and employees, fostering a safe, personal space. If you’re thinking about upgrading to add sound masking in your office, Environments Denver can help. We offer a bevy of services, including space planning and office interior design, that better cultivate a productive work environment. To learn more about office design, give us a call today!
The Value of LEED Certification
Businesses today are judged not only by the services and products they provide; they are also critiqued through a social lens and expected to contribute positively to the global community. It’s important that companies operate in a way that not only helps them grow, but also fosters a sustainable environment for their employees, the community, and the earth.
Becoming LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified is a valuable step in decreasing a company’s footprint and communicating its ecological profile to the outside world. Here are other benefits that LEED certification offers businesses:
What is LEED Certification?
LEED certification is an internationally recognized building certification that promotes and classifies design, construction, and operation of green, energy-friendly buildings. LEED offers an array of ratings that judge a building or neighborhood on multiple platforms. These distinctive designations include Building Design and Construction (BD +C), Interior Design and Construction (ID +C), Operations and Management (O+M), and Neighborhood Development (ND).
The LEED rating system scores buildings on points earned by prerequisites and credits. Depending on the overall score, the company may earn a designation of certified, silver, gold, or platinum. Buildings and neighborhoods must have certain prerequisites to reach the base level “certified”, but can implement additional elements, like sustainable office furniture, bike racks, and energy-efficient interior lighting that earn them points (aka credits) toward higher-level titles.
Applying for LEED certification
The first step in the LEED certification process requires that businesses register their project by completing required documents and submitting payment. Next, they must consider which aspects of their current operation meet LEED requirements, and which elements require upgrading. Then, companies can proceed with making interior and exterior renovations where applicable.
Some of these requirements include minimum indoor air quality performance, storage and collection of recyclables, minimum energy performance, and more. Once the business meets the LEED minimum standards, companies can begin earning points toward a higher-level LEED certification. Here’s the complete list of prerequisites and credits for all of the varying LEED classifications.
Importance to Business Owners
As the global population continues to swell, our overall strain on the earth’s natural resources will also increase. LEED certification offers businesses a way to partake in conservation and sustainability. It also communicates to the public, and potential clients, that a company is doing its part to tread lightly and leave as small of a footprint as possible.
LEED extends beyond environmental help because it also encourages businesses to provide healthy work spaces for their employees; LEED certified office interiors promote mental and physical health of the people working within.
Environments Denver knows how important it is to design an office space with functional, sustainable products that encourage productivity and use minimal natural resources, energy, and waste. We help companies obtain furniture, hardware, and furnishings that will earn points toward LEED certification and improve the aesthetic of any office space. Contact us today to learn more about sustainable office furniture that will assist your company in earning its LEED certification.
Key Elements of High School Classroom Design
Classroom Design for Optimal Learning
To encourage a healthy and happy classroom, consider incorporating functional office furniture within the learning space. While thoughtful classroom design is important for all age groups, it’s especially influential for high school students. To promote an optimal learning environment, keep in mind the key elements of classroom design that we share here:
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2019’s Most Innovative Office Furniture
Employees generally spend half of their waking hours inhabiting the office. Therefore, the office space’s interior design is paramount to their health, wellness, and productivity. Color, floor plan, and furniture play a huge factor in an office’s energy and employee enjoyment. This year, office furniture designs focus on technology, physical health, and collaboration, seeking to unite the workforce and inspire innovation.
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Are Outdoor Co-Working Spaces Right for Your Office?
Office lighting design can make a significant impact on the health and happiness of employees. Harsh, fluorescent lighting often harms mood and productivity, so many offices are making the transition toward a more natural workspace. There are several ways to incorporate natural elements into the workplace, including living plant walls. However, several high-profile companies are taking the natural trend one step further. L.L. Bean and Facebook have created outdoor co-working spaces, and the results have been impressive. Interested in learning more about outdoor co-working areas? Here, we share the details on this emerging office design.
What Are Outdoor Co-Working Spaces?
Outdoor workspaces aren’t commonplace just yet, so you may be curious about what this environment entails. An outdoor office can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. In the case of large companies like L.L. Bean and Facebook, workers enjoy portable glass pods that are placed out in the open. Facebook’s Menlo Park location features a 9-acre rooftop garden for employees who prefer to work outdoors, while L.L. Bean set up a temporary office in the heart of one of New York’s gorgeous parks.
Even if you don’t have the budget to create a rooftop oasis or set up shop in a prestigious nature preserve, you may still be able to offer a great alternative to traditional indoor workspaces. If you’re on the search for a new office building, keep an eye out for an option that has a spacious patio or courtyard. Simply setting up a few picnic tables with umbrellas or canopies to shade employees from the sun is a great start, and may benefit the well-being of your team. If possible, incorporate plants into the courtyard to provide a serene environment.
Finding the Best Fit for Your Office
Determining the best layout for your office can be a challenge. While studies and surveys consistently show that natural elements in the workplace have a calming effect on workers, it may not be practical to pursue an outdoor co-working space. If your current office building has limited outdoor space, it may be best to stick with the conventional setup and explore outdoor options for the future. However, if your workplace already has a spacious outdoor area to work with, it could be an excellent investment to spruce up the space with trees, flowers, and comfortable seating arrangements.
Regardless of the layout you choose for your workplace, be sure to focus on office lighting design. The right lighting can help employees feel at ease and productive, leading to a more effective routine. When you’re on the search for the ideal furniture and lighting for your office, our team at Environments can help. Whether you’re looking for a few décor items or a complete office overhaul, we’ll remove stress from the process and assist you in achieving the perfect aesthetic. To learn more about our services, please reach out to our team.
2019 Office Design Trends
Office design trends are forever evolving. Each year, top designers create furniture, textiles, and lighting fixtures that help define what is in vogue. Color, pattern, and shape are vital components of these new styles. However, office trends are not based purely in aesthetics. Productivity is paramount in the workplace, so cutting edge design often innovates to best promote an efficient office. Therefore, it’s important to stay abreast of the newest trends, as they can keep your workplace looking great and bringing out the best in employees.Read more
Office Design Throughout the Decades: The 1950s
Office furniture design trends continue to evolve, and each decade brings its own unique style trademarks. Unlike the sleek offices that are popular today, workplace design in the 1950s emphasized a subdued environment with a hierarchical setup. Interested in learning more about office design of decades past? Here, we share the signature elements of many workspaces in the ‘50s.
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How to Incorporate Brand Image into the Office
Office design plays an essential role in building a brand image. The layout, furniture, and décor choices can go a long way in shaping perceptions about your company, so it’s important to navigate the design process with care. If you’re interested in finding office furniture design trends to mesh with your desired brand image, consider the tips we share here:Read more
Essential Elements of Industrial Office Design
If you’re in the process of designing a modern office, you may be on the hunt for inspiration. Minimalist concepts have become increasingly popular in the last few years, and the industrial design is a great blend of minimalist and austere traits. This type of design is an excellent choice for contemporary workplaces, and offers a strong yet simple aesthetic. If you’d like to learn more about this architectural concept to explore whether it’s a fit for your office, take a look at the key elements we share below:
How Living Plant Walls Can Improve the Office
Incorporating natural elements into the office can have a considerable impact on employee health and happiness. If you’d like to go above and beyond placing a few houseplants inside the building, you may be interested in creating a living plant wall. This option makes for a stunning statement wall, and often provides a host of benefits for team members and visitors. Interested in learning more about how living plant walls can transform the office? Here, we share why we love this nature-inspired concept.