Decorating large spaces, especially commercial property can prove challenging. As well as creating a good first impression for potential employees or customers, it’s essential to create a workspace in which your employees can thrive. A dull, uninspiring workspace makes for poor productivity levels. So what are the issues that one can encounter when decorating large spaces? Here are a few of the most common.
Lighting
Lighting is an essential element of any space, whether it’s for domestic or commercial use and has a major effect on mood as well as ambience. The problem with large spaces is that there are areas where natural light just won’t be able to reach. In addition, there’s going to be more of a reliance on artificial lighting which isn’t ideal for the well-being of workers. It’s therefore very important to identify a lighting system that provides consistent illumination across an entire workspace that offers a glare-free working environment.
Uniform or Eclectic?
Another challenge in decorating large spaces is whether to use a uniform decorative theme, or mix things up a little. On one hand, having a uniform workspace that has a distinct, consistent theme throughout can lend a sense of stability and reliability. However, when overdone, the end result can be rather dull and uninspiring. Current trends in commercial office design lean towards eclectic themes, with a variety of different colours and furniture styles used in single spaces. This approach can help a workspace appear vibrant and interesting although too many aesthetical distractions, as discussed in a previous post, can cause sensory overload. So finding the right balance is advisable.
Open Space
Too much open space can create a sense of coldness and emptiness – not the kind of ambience needed for a happy workforce. Although the installation of the office furniture and equipment will fill a workspace to an extent, decorators are often left with large unused areas. To tackle this problem, many take to creating ‘collaborative’ areas for employees to take a break and ‘interact’ with their colleagues. Soft furnishings are often used for this purpose which can promote relaxation and comfort. To break up a space, creating glass partitions can also prove helpful. The use of glass can foster a sense of inclusivity and openness which, according to most progressive businesses is the way to go.
The Walls
Decorating the walls of a large workplace is always going to be challenging. There’s not much use in slapping on your preferred colour and leaving it at that. Some imagination is required to at least partially inspire your workers. Photographs are fine but there are only so many abstract paintings or landscapes that one can include before the aesthetic becomes a tad monotonous. Inspirational slogans are often used to keep the creative and motivational juices flowing and can be really useful at providing a touch of variety. Care should however be taken to avoid the usual clichés and platitudes that often beset contemporary office design.