5 Signs your office is falling short (and limiting your potential)

𝟭) 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 – Hybrid is here to stay, but if no one wants to come in, that's a red flag. A well-designed space should draw people in and make the office the 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 place to work.

𝟮) 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 / 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 – Open concept chaos or eerily silent cubicles? Both extremes kill productivity. Balance is key and people need choice: collaborative zones 𝘢𝘯𝘥 focused areas.

𝟯) 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 – This often means they’re craving privacy and can’t find it elsewhere. If your meeting rooms are full of solo workers, it’s time to rethink your layout.

𝟰) 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 – Confusing layouts, no clear zones for different work styles, or poor signage can make even the most beautiful office frustrating to use.

𝟱) 𝗜𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 – If your space doesn’t 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 like your brand, it’s a missed opportunity. Your office should reinforce your values the moment someone walks in — instead of feeling like it could be any other company in the world.

Office design is about functionality, flexibility, brand identity, and giving people a reason to 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to be there.

Does your office show signs it needs reimagining? Book a call with me and we’ll discuss it.

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Float your desk

Many people instinctively push their desks against a wall.

Try the Feng Shui 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 instead.

You should face outward with a clear view of the door and your back to a solid wall for a sense of security, control, and leadership (CEO). This setup minimizes distractions and helps you feel more at ease.

Desk tips:

✅ 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
Position your desk to see the entrance without sitting directly in front of it, for better awareness and energy flow.

✅ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂
Place a solid wall or high-backed chair behind you for stability. Avoid sitting with your back to a window unless covered with curtains (backlighting can turn you into a silhouette on Zoom).

✅ 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀
Avoid placing your desk too close to a wall; keep both sides open or supported by furniture for balance.

✅ 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹
If necessary, use mirrors or artwork to create a more open, inspiring space.

✅ 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄
Sit near (but not in front of) a window if you can.

Experiment with floating your desk and see how it transforms your workflow and mindset.

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Private office vs coworking: Which one fits your business?

Once I went to sign a lease on an apartment and met the realtor duo at a coworking office. They had a meeting room booked and the space looked professional and nicely designed. I felt well taken care of.

Would I have felt the same if I were signing to purchase a multi-million-dollar penthouse? Maybe not.

Some businesses need a space that reflects their brand and their offer, gives them full control over their environment, and fosters productivity. Other businesses value flexibility, networking, and cost savings.

A breakdown:

🏢 Private Office

✅ Pros:
• Custom branding and design that reflect your company culture
• Personalized layout to enhance productivity
• Full privacy and control over the space
• Long-term stability for growing teams
❌ Cons:
• Higher costs and longer lease commitments
• Fewer organic networking opportunities

☕ Coworking Space

✅ Pros:
• Can be more cost-effective
• Lease flexibility
• Great for networking and spontaneous collaborations
• Amenities and perks built in
❌ Cons:
• Less privacy and control over design, as well as potential for noise and distractions
• Inconsistent availability for desks and meeting rooms
• Less rooted, more transient atmosphere for your employees and guests

Both options have their perks, and the best choice depends on your business needs.

Have you ever been 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧 by someone’s office? How about pleasantly surprised? Why? I would love to hear about it.👇

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Need help designing your new office so your employees love coming to work? Send me a WhatsApp message to schedule a discovery call: 053-892-6032

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WeWork Office, Flatiron, Manhattan

Before I designed this WeWork office, it was sitting on the market, unsold. I gave the space a refresh with new furnishings and fixtures, textiles, fresh paint, artwork, and plants, while taking advantage of local sales and vintage finds. Not long after, the office successfully sold along with my decor.

The “Quiet Room,” WeWork Flatiron

I divided the office area into zones and gave each zone new life and character. In the open workspace there were many windows, but buildings on all sides prevented sunshine from flowing in. The space felt dim and clinical. I gave the back wall a coat of bright green paint to bring a feeling of freshness and nature into the urban view.

In the gathering space at the entrance, I combined several textures to create depth and warmth: textiles like the woven rug and throw pillows, harder materials like the metal table and mirror side table, as well as ceramics and a basket with blankets.

This WeWork had three private offices, the tiniest of which felt like a sad closet in its original hospital white. I pulled out the desk, added comfortable seating, and painted it black to convert it into a moody “quiet room” meant for individual phone calls or one-on-one conversations. The depressing tiny office became an enticing, cozy spot dedicated to specific tasks.

The “Quiet Room,” WeWork Flatiron, NYC

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