4 Ways Office Design Can Help with ROI

Since the pandemic, businesses have been pondering the purpose of the workplace. With remote working in the UK more than doubling from 2019 to 2022 (ons.gov.uk), you wouldn’t be alone in considering the money wasted in our empty offices. Add to that the rising costs of living and building materials, and you might even be weighing up the option of refurbishment, downsizing, or letting the physical workplace go for good.

As fit out specialists, we’ve seen firsthand the impact a considered office design has on a business’s ROI (return on investment), as well as the pivotal role it plays within a successful company. From recruitment to mental health, here are just a few ways investing in commercial design is worth the ROI.

1. Company Identity

The office is often the heart of a business. Its interiors should reflect the people, the values and the service. Our project managers undergo a detailed consultation with each customer to ensure we capture the essence of a company in every design and build. From this, we can construct a workspace that accurately reflects the business and reinforces key values – a workspace where staff are proud and motivated at work, with potential to boost productivity by 12%.

More than this, a branded office design can increase leads and customer enquiries. An interior scheme that communicates a strong brand identity and underpins core values will improve the authenticity of your company. The more upfront and transparent your brand, the more trust and confidence a customer is likely to have in your products or services.

Take, for example, our recent hybrid office fit out. Our in-house design team explored our client’s striking red brand colours throughout furnishings to reinstate company culture after the pandemic. The curvature of the office seating mirrored their ability to stay fluid, flexible and ahead of the curve.

2. Recruitment & Retention

Most businesses are getting caught up in the wrath of the Great Resignation, whereby staff are leaving their jobs due to ‘burnout, workload, poor culture, and lack of flexibility’ (home.kpmg). Whilst large staff turnovers are costing companies, the talent pool for recruitment has simultaneously widened. A dynamic office is a great way to attract and retain specialists and new talent, with potential for an 18% uplift in talent attraction and staff retention; an office that motivates employees, supports different workloads, celebrates company culture and offers complete flexibility.

This workplace can also be key to improving staff retention. A flexible office design will support employees with daily tasks and remind them of their value and appreciation within the company. A happy, motivated employee can also result in improved productivity levels and work quality.

3. Workplace Wellbeing

Poor mental health has only increased with the impact of the pandemic and recent reports estimate that it’s costing UK employers up to £56 billion a year (www2.deloitte.com).

From flexible breakout rooms to ergonomic furniture, there are lots of ways the office can improve wellness in the workplace. For one, informal breakout rooms can provide a relief space to help avoid burnout or enable regular social interaction. Something as simple as these ‘water cooler breaks’ can inspire collaboration between employees whose paths wouldn’t typically cross, as well as help to reduce feelings of loneliness and depression. We loved the breakout area in our recent office refurbishment in Bristol, where we fitted acoustic panels to create the perfect conversation hub.

Of course, there are other ways to support workplace wellbeing, including biophilic elements to relax staff and connect them with nature, or LED office lighting to minimise eye strain. In fact, your business could be saving approximately £120,000 a year from staff absences due to a smartly planned office. With the help of our fit out specialists, an investment in your office means an investment in your people.

4. Climate Care

Now more than ever, businesses should be implementing sustainable strategies into their initiatives – including their office design. Not only is an eco-friendly workplace a great way to care for our climate, it can also be a good attraction for recruitment, with the market demand for green buildings doubling every 3 years (bdcnetwork.com).

What’s more, long-term energy savings can help you achieve a positive ROI from your green office design, with reports stating that environmentally friendly buildings are 14% less costly to operate than traditional buildings (bdcnetwork.com) – helping to save the planet at no additional cost!

If you need help with an eco-friendly office design, contact our experts or check out our own sustainability plan.

Flexible Office Fit Outs

At Contract Interior Systems, we design and build efficient workplaces that promise improved experiences, wherever work happens. We put the same care and attention into every project, no matter what the size, from a partitioning installation to a full office fit out.

To discuss the ways your office could be saving you money, contact our experts today.