Top Tips for Buying Used Office Furniture in El Paso

Used office furniture in El PasoSo it’s happening: You’ve been working hard on your business and are ready for your first office space in El Paso. Or maybe you want to impress clients with a stunning office, or yours need a modern, new upgrade. Whatever moment in your life has led you to us here at Indoff Commercial Interiors to check out our fine used office furniture, you’re here now, and you likely have no idea where to start! But don’t worry, that’s what we’re here for. Check out some of our top tips to help you choose quality pre-owned office furniture in El Paso.

Need help choosing the right used office furniture for your El Paso office? Call Indoff Commercial Interiors today at (915) 355-0120.

Used office furniture tip #1: Make your office more organized by using storage containers 

One easy way to make your office look a lot more efficient is to invest in a few storage containers. Fortunately, this is a popular used office furniture item, so there are plenty of options to choose from that will match your theme. And the best part about using storage containers as a way to declutter is that most containers are affordable, and buying them used (from us, of course) will only save you even more money. 

Used office furniture tip #2: Up productivity with the right mood music 

Mood music can make or break the ambiance of your office, and acoustics play a huge part. Music makes people happier, which only improves productivity. Consider giving your space a sound makeover by heading to the used furniture section of our website and snagging yourself some elevated speaker stands. If you’re afraid they won’t go with your motif, never fear. We have a variety of used furniture ranging from funky to mod, to contemporary, to anything you want. You’ll be able to find the perfect speaker stands and transform the entire vibe. And all for less money!

Used office furniture tip #3: Use color to make your space pop

Color is more important in creating the right vibe than people give it credit for. You would think this is pretty well understood, but not everyone truly gets the art of using color to get the response you want. Carpets, drapes, lamps, even down to picture frames. We’ve got you covered, too. Check out our shop to sort used furniture by color or contact us to book an appointment with a professional. 

Used office furniture tip #5: Invest in a super cool desk 

A desk can make or break your office. This is why one of the main pieces of advice we give our clients is to invest in a great desk. Choose one that fits your style but also meets your needs and comfort requirements. A desk is definitely an item to put at the top of your list when buying used office furniture. But if you need more than just a desk, we also have used office cubicles available.

Used office furniture tip #6: Let someone design your dream office for you 

Honestly, the best advice we can give to anyone looking to buy pre-owned office furniture to spruce up their space is to get a pro to do it for you. Save yourself the stress, save yourself the time, and get the input of a creative professional dedicated to making you look cool and comfortable. 

Buying used furniture for your El Paso office is a win, right? And we have budget-friendly options, too!

All in all, shopping for pre-owned office furniture and upgrading is completely possible. Your office can be completely furnished in no time if you let us handle the job. Contact us online or call (915)-355-0120 today!

How New Office Desks Can Revitalize Your El Paso Workspace

A group of young employees jovially collaborating at their work desks during a busy morning at the office.Office desks are a necessity in any workplace. But without the right desks, your team will be uncomfortable throughout the day, making completing work a challenge. It is possible to improve ergonomics and efficiency by simply updating your office desks. We’ve compiled some of the best ways to revitalize your workspace and provide your employees with the best, most comfortable place to work. Keep reading to learn more!

The El Paso office furniture team at Indoff Commercial Interiors is ready to take your workspace to the next level. Give us a call today — (915) 355-0120!

Great Office Desks & Furniture are More Important than Ever Before

While COVID upended the workplace and made remote work the norm over the last few years, companies are now returning to in-office work. But the transition back has been difficult for many.  

Replacing your desks with newer, more modern options is one of the best ways to welcome your team back into the office. It may seem like a small change, but the positive outcomes may take your company’s productivity to new heights!

Modern Cubicles Foster Collaboration and Creativity

When talking about office desks, it’s impossible not to mention cubicles. Cubicles get a bad rap. To many, they seem like the dreariest place to spend eight hours of the day. But modern design options are making offices more comfortable, ergonomic, and collaborative than ever.

Take 120-degree office desks and workstations, for instance. They provide more space for individual employees to work without feeling cramped while allowing them to collaborate and communicate with others easily. 

These desks are revolutionizing the professional space. In fact, well-thought-out workspaces can greatly improve productivity. As a business owner, you can achieve this by replacing old, outdated office furniture with the best modern options. 

Office Desks & Furniture for Small Offices in El Paso

If your office space is on the smaller side, then you are well aware of the struggle of searching for the right desks and furniture. Instead of simply setting up desks wherever they seem to fit, you can speak with an interior design expert to find the most efficient ways to use your available space. 

Indoff Commercial Interiors is proud to offer free expert design advice. You can simply give us a call to speak with our El Paso commercial interior design experts. We’ll provide you with ideas to help you take your office space to the next level, no matter how small it may seem.

Some quick tips for maximizing minimal space include:

  • Switch out large, bulky desks for more streamlined options 
  • Declutter the workspace as much as possible
  • Turn common areas into functional spaces
  • Implement a “clean desk” policy 
  • Opt for space-saving office furniture such as workstations or corner desks

The Best Desks for Multiple Monitors

Professionals in tech, graphic design, accounting, and a handful of other industries rely on multiple monitors to get their work done. If your workspace lacks the right office desks to accommodate more than one computer monitor, your employees won’t perform as efficiently as they’d like.

While there may be ways to arrange multiple monitors on a standard desk, it may pose potential hazards. Instead of leaving things up to chance, prioritize outfitting your office with the right desks. 

This also provides a great opportunity for you to speak with your employees to see who might benefit the most from a dual monitor desk. Depending on your industry, you may just need to invest in one or two, or you’ll need an entire fleet of dual monitor desks. 

If you’re unsure about how these desks will fit within your office space, don’t hesitate to reach out to our El Paso office furniture experts. Call us at (915) 355-0120 today!

Adjustable Desks for Shorter People

The office should be comfortable for every single employee, regardless of height. While many office desks are built with a “one size fits all” mentality, there is room for improvement. 

You can speak with your team or send out a questionnaire to see if they’d be more comfortable with desks designed for smaller statures. This attention to detail will make your employees feel more at home while in the office. Other options include standing desks that are adjusted for shorter statures so they can work comfortably while standing up. 

The Best Choice for Office Desks & Furniture in El Paso

Investing in new, more modern office desks will give your employees a newfound excitement for working in the office. The goal is to make your office a place where employees go to get work done. If they’re tired of working at home and need a change of scenery, then the office should be the best option available. You can achieve this with thoughtful interior design assistance and the right office furniture. 

Not sure what step to take next? Simply contact us to speak with our El Paso office design experts. We can’t wait to show you the potential of your workspace! Call us at (915) 355-0120 to learn more.

10 Tips to Choose the Best Office Chairs for Your El Paso Office in 2022  

Businessman in office relaxing in chair

When furnishing the workplace, office chairs require the most thought. Think about it, sitting in a chair all day can make you feel restless. So, when it comes to office chairs, it is important to choose wisely. Now, you must be wondering what you should be asking yourself when looking at new office chairs? Well, first thing’s first: comfort is more important than aesthetics. Now that you know this, we can proceed to help you in your search for office chairs! 

Establish How Much You Can Spend  

Before you can even begin your hunt for a new set of chairs, you have to determine your budget. Remember, while those fancy, luxurious chairs you came across may be appealing to the eye, they could cost the comfort of your employees. You want to buy office chairs that are cost-efficient. Even if you come across a pricey set of chairs, as long as they meet the expectations of your employees, you can rest assured that your investment is worthwhile. 

Consider Backrest Materials

The back is the part of the body that requires the most support when sitting down at a desk for eight hours a day. Some chairs are equipped with backrests, other products require that you buy the backrest separately. Backrests should measure anywhere from 12 to 19 inches in width in order to support the curve of the spine, especially in the lower back. 

Choose Breathable Material

With breathable material, your body is less likely to experience any discomfort. Fabric is usually the best option for office chairs. Although, many new office chairs made out of different materials are designed to offer breathable features. As long as the chair feels light, comfortable, and easy to maneuver, it should make a good fit! 

Ensure They Have Sufficient Padding

Alongside breathable materials, a good office chair should have just the right amount of padding. You don’t want anything too stiff, but you also don’t want something super cushioned. The most important area in an office chair that should be cushioned is the actual seat itself. Sufficient materials can also include:

  • High-quality foam
  • Cloth fabric or leather
  • Mesh backrests 

Make Sure They Offer Lumbar Support

The lumbar area consists of five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine. The lumbar vertebrae are the largest bones in the entire spine. As a result, they require the most support in chairs and seating. Office chairs with contoured backrests are recommended for lumbar support. A good office chair is one that is designed and shaped to match the natural contour of the spine. 

Find Chairs with Some Recline to Them

There is nothing wrong with a little comfort every now and then! An office chair with the ability to recline can help users relieve some weight from their lower backs. If you or your employees ever start to feel tired from the back, you can always give your spine a rest by reclining while you work. 

Don’t Forget Seat Width and Seat Depth

The width and depth of the seat is just as important as the width of the backrest in an office chair. The standard width is between 17 to 20 inches. Regarding the depth, a chair needs to be deep enough for the user to sit with their back against the chair but with some leftover space between the end of the chair and the user’s knees. 

Aim for Adjustability

Don’t forget, everyone’s stature is different. Every chair in your office needs to be able to adapt and fit the unique user. When looking for a potential model in chairs, think about who will be using the chairs and make sure it is adjustable to every function and setting they will serve. 

Check for Movement and Stability

A flexible and stable chair is highly recommended for office jobs. Employees should be able to move comfortably to reach anything on their desks. More importantly, office chairs should support the dynamic positions of employees, allowing them to sit and move to their preferences. 

Test the Chairs Out

If possible, you should definitely try out the office chairs you are looking at. With that in mind, office chairs are a subjective matter. What is comfortable to you may not be so comfortable to others. What you can do is ask what your employees are looking for in an office chair. Follow up by testing out the chairs and see if they have exactly what your employees request! 

Find The Perfect Office Chairs at Our Store!  

Shopping for office chairs can be difficult but here at Indoff, our office furniture experts are here to ease up the process. You can start looking at new and improved office furniture and materials with us! Call us today at (915) 355-0120 to learn more about what our store carries.

What Your Office Furniture Says About You and Your Company

A trendy modern open floor model office space

Impress your office visitors with the right choice of office furniture. The right style sends the right message. What does your office furniture say about you?

Why You Need To Update Your Office Furniture

There are a lot of reasons to replace your old office furniture with new stylish and comfortable pieces. You spend more than half your day at the office, so you probably want it to be more inviting. After having the same office furniture for a while, you get so used to it, it’s hard to notice that things have grown old, worn out, and outdated, and it may be time to consider something new. Besides, the way your office looks says a lot about you and your business, including how organized, inspired, considerate, hardworking, or lazy you are.

Having old, outdated, mix-matched pieces scattered all over the place may also give others the impression you don’t care about what people think and it does nothing for your creative style either. Everything in your office, from the furniture to accessories, tells a story that leaves your associates, clients, and business partners with a good or bad impression about you and your company.

Keep Your Employees Happy With New Office Furniture

In case you don’t already know, technology has reached the office. Now there are ergonomic chairs, desks, and accessories that your employees will really appreciate. Therefore, let them know you care by moving the old stuff out and getting some new office furniture in. Imagine transforming your office into an attractive business space that your employees will look forward to coming to every day, rather than dread coming to the same dull setup. Keep in mind that employees usually sit in the same chair for the most part of their day. It can be quite daunting if their chair is not comfortable and doesn’t do anything for the body. You also want to create an attractive space that both you and your employees will be proud to call your workplace.

What Your Office Furniture Says About You

Now let’s talk about the different types of furniture you currently have in your office and what it might say about you and your business.

Old, Worn Out Furniture

Over the years, everything shows signs of wear.

  • Fabric may have stains, start to thin, and eventually begin to tear
  • Wood will begin chipping, scratching, and may even discolor
  • Screws may become loose or warped
  • Aluminum can have dents and scratches
  • Glass or hard plastic material can have cracks or start to appear foggy
  • And everything will potentially fall apart overtime

What does having old, worn-out furniture say about you? Seeing this kind of furniture in your office setup may give others the impression that you are a hoarder who hates to get rid of things and tries to keep them as long as you can. They may also think of you as a cheap person who doesn’t want to invest in newer and better things.

Broken Down Stuff You Keep Patching Up

When things break, our first instinct is to fix them, and our second instinct is to replace them. For example, a leg breaks off a table and the screws are warped, you can just drill new holes and screw in new screws. Also, it doesn’t take too much to patch up a stain or a hole in any fabric, but what would someone think about you when they visit your office and notice several pieces of patched-up furniture? They probably won’t think you just like to fix things. Most people would think your business is not doing too well, which is why you haven’t got the money to buy new office furniture. Thus, when you find yourself consistently making repairs, it may be time to consider replacing your old office furniture.

Outdated Office Furniture

With the kind of technology and ergonomics they have today and at reasonable prices too, you would think that everyone would invest in a new office setup. However, some business owners may not have the time to shop for new furniture and just continue putting it off, but never get around to it. This may be the impression that some will get by seeing this type of furniture in your office.

However, one thing to keep in mind is by not keeping up with the times and upgrading your office, people may think you don’t really care much about your employees since they are the ones who have to use this furniture. Old, outdated furniture can cause employees back issues or other related problems that could cause them to call off work multiple times, making production go down along with your profits. New office chairs have ergonomics and are adjustable, allowing a person to sit comfortably for many hours during the day.

Transform Your Office Into a visually Appealing Comfort Zone

Keep your team productive, energetic, inspired, and motivated by giving your workspace an upgrade with new office furniture. When our surroundings contain comfortable and attractive furniture, it improves the atmosphere and makes a huge impact on our mood and productivity. An office space with a well-designed furniture style can also play a big role in your business’s success. To enhance employee productivity, choose a furniture style that balances a professional business image with the comforts of the home. Adding a lot of colors can bring a room to life, promoting a happy environment and a healthy workplace for your team to thrive. Your staff won’t be able to wait to get to work every day with inviting, stylish furniture to look forward to.

Spice Up The Department and Avoid Health Issues

Improve workplace morale and give prospective clients a positive impression of your business. Create an awesome display by adding uniform office furniture to spice up the department. Promote a healthy workplace with ergonomic office furniture that provides comfort and functionality to help prevent injuries. You and your employees probably spend most of your day sitting at your desks in front of a computer. Did you know that this can pose a risk of musculoskeletal problems in the spine, neck, wrists, and legs? Ergonomic furniture was specifically designed to avoid these issues so you can have a healthy office without pain or worry.

The Best Ergonomic Furniture for Your Office

Young businesswoman relaxing leaning on comfortable ergonomic chair in modern office room, calm happy employee feels no stress free relief taking break to rest from computer work breathing fresh air

Golfers use different clubs on the fairway and the green. Runners don’t wear leather wingtips and heels during marathons. Their equipment suits their jobs and bodies to avoid injury and maximize performance. Why should office furniture be any different? Like a modern gym, outfit your office with ergonomic furniture so your team can be productive and healthy.

Ergonomic furniture isn’t just a fad with trendy companies replacing desks and chairs with standing desks and exercise balls. It’s an industry that designs business furniture with the human body in mind. Let’s explore the best, most diverse pieces of ergonomic office furniture and how they create more welcoming workstations.

Ergonomic Chairs and Accessories

Ergonomic furniture starts with good chairs. In a study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 219 out of 397 office workers reported lower-back pain over a month-long period. That kind of pain plummets productivity. By investing in adjustable, comfortable chairs, your office won’t dread sitting down for a long day.

High-Back Chairs

A padded high-back chair offers both cervical and lumbar support. The headrest keeps your neck straight while the memory foam back cradles your lower back. Combine that with large armrests for maximum posture support.

Mid-Back Chairs

Not everyone likes a large office chair. Mid-back adjustable chairs offer flexibility for office workers that fulfill diverse rolls. Contoured mesh backs provide lower- to mid-back support while adjustable arms keep your hands at a comfortable level in relation to your desk. They make great computer chairs and multi-purpose office chairs.

Standing Chairs

Standing chairs are increasingly popular ergonomic furniture choices. They allow users to sit with their legs stretched out, engaging the muscles and burning calories at their desks. They’re not for everyone, but people who use standing chairs often don’t go back to using normal office chairs.

Footrests

What’s the best accessory for a comfortable chair? A great footrest. Not just for lounging in front of the TV, a footrest under the desk encourages circulation and prevents cramps and tingly nerves.

Seat Cushions and Neck Pillows

If you change workstations throughout the day, consider investing in some cushions. Gel and memory foam cushions support your back, while cervical pillows keep your neck from suffering from office fatigue.

Ergonomic Desks and Accessories

With a new chair picked out, the next step is finding the perfect desk. With the proper measurements, many desks make your employees more comfortable, so here’s a handy desk measurement calculator to help! When choosing a desk, take arm length, height, and preferred monitor-viewing angle into account.

Desks with retractable keyboard shelves

This kind of desk allows keyboards to be at optimum lap height. With a retractable shelf, your keyboard can rest at the perfect angle for your arm length. Ergonomic desks with retractable shelves also allow for better cable management.

Adjustable desks

To facilitate most office roles, adjustable desks allow you to change the height and angle of your desk. This is especially useful for architecture, design and other roles that require putting hand to paper. Many adjustable desks feature large tops perfect for laying out a lot of visual information.

Standing desks

After a lunch break, using a standing desk allows improved digestion and blood-sugar control. Like standing chairs, they also allow for improved muscle engagement, circulation and burn calories all while staying at your desk. Many are adjustable and can be used as sitting desks, as well.

Monitor stands

Being too tall for the monitor at your desk can strain your neck. With a monitor stand, you can elevate your monitor to be in line with your eyes. Many allow you to adjust your monitor’s angle. Tired of losing pens and sticky notes on your desk? Many monitor stands feature storage shelves that keep your most-used items nearby.

Ergonomic Mats

Tile and even plush carpeting can be hard on the legs and feet. For standing desks or tall, customer-facing desks, an ergonomic mat relieves pressure on your joints, arches and calves. With a mat, you can prevent high-traffic areas around your office (like in front of printers and other communal technology) from wearing down.

Ergonomic Computer Accessories

Using uncomfortable keyboards and computer mice can worsen or cause arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. These chronic illnesses make even easy days tough, not just physically, but mentally. A study published by the Mayo Clinic found that up to 50% of people with chronic pain suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. These may be relatively small pieces of ergonomic furniture, but they keep everyone happy.

Ergonomic Keyboards

Ergonomic keyboards are modern marvels. Some are built like waves, letting your hands rest on comfortable, rounded edges. Many split the keyboard in two, letting employees space them out for tactile comfort.

Ergonomic Mice and Mousepads

Like keyboards, ergonomic mice forgo standard boxy designs for hand-shaped edges. Instead of gripping a mouse like a brick for hours on end, your fingers will fall naturally over it. Pair it with a padded mouse pad to support your wrist.

Computer stands

Especially popular with the tech industry, a tall computer stand behind your desk allows easy access to your hardware. Many have shelves for computer towers and monitor stands. If your desk is frequently cluttered, a computer stand opens up valuable desk real estate.

Ergonomic Office Furniture From Indoff Commercial Interiors

At Indoff, we want to help make your office as healthy and productive as possible. Don’t sacrifice comfort for functionality. With our selection of ergonomic furniture, you’ll find a happy medium between utility and luxury. Contact us today for all of your ergonomic office and home office furniture needs in El Paso.

Home Office Or Return To Office?

Home office desk with computer, glasses against a bright window

We’re in mid-summer of 2021, and more than half of American adults are vaccinated, schools are starting to reopen, and states are lifting pandemic restrictions more and more every week. Yet, among all of this, more than half of the nation’s workers are still punching in and out of work from their homes, attending various Zoom meetings, and keeping it casual every day. However, some employers are pushing the return to the office in search of normality. 

How Some Companies Are Handling The Return To Office 

Large companies such as Goldman Sachs aim to have their employees back in the office at full force by the end of the year. Their CEO David Solomon has called their experience with remote work an “aberration” and “not a new normal.” JP Morgan wrote to their employees that their staff should be on a “consistent rotational schedule” by July. A recent survey done by Harvard Business School found that most remote employees miss the enjoyment of their co-workers and specific aspects of office life. 81% said they would want to stay working from home permanently or have a hybrid schedule with a few days working from home. Parents especially seem to want to return to the office compared to those without children, and married people were more eager than singles.

Many companies listen to their staff and try to find a proper balance between home and the office. Even before the pandemic began, a large portion of the workforce had meddled with the idea of a more remote or hybrid way of working. However, it took the pandemic for this shift in the workforce to occur, or else it may have never happened. 

So, it really varies on the company and how they want to get their office back up to speed as COVID seems to be under more control than a year ago. Even the CDC has issued a guideline to follow when returning to work

Why Go Back To The Office? 

There have been many pros to working from home. It was saving time and money on commuting back and forth, being able to raise a family a bit easier than leaving every morning, and the comfort of your home. It certainly has shifted perspectives for many. However, there are also obstacles that have not been overcome just yet. 

The sense of creating a culture as a remote company certainly has been one of the most difficult tasks so far. We tend to learn how to navigate a workplace by watching others’ interactions. In general, new hires have had a more difficult time getting things done, and it’s harder for managers to know when someone is having a hard time with a task. The sense of a company mission can easily fall away as you’re more separated from the team. Staying as engaged as possible has proven tricky and more time-consuming as we Zoom every meeting now. 

So, when it really comes down to what works better for your company, it might be time to have a meeting with your department heads and trickle down to your staff—understanding the pros and cons that each side is feeling and working your way through those obstacles. 

Revamp The Office As You Choose To Return or Stay Home!

Here at Indoff Commercial Interiors, we have plenty to choose from whether your staff is planning to return to the office or stay remote. Going back to the office gives your company a chance to revamp the way it was before—a new beginning for your team and how they can operate from a day-to-day office lifestyle. Bringing back a fresh sense of culture and aesthetic can be exactly what your team needs as they walk back in the doors. Contact us today to see how we can help you rebuild the office lifestyle.  

How to Create the Perfect Multifunctional Home Office

Multifunctional rooms and spaces have topped the charts of design trends in the past year. For every passing day, people have come to realize how helpful and important multifunctional spaces can be. Most working people have had to bring their work to their homes, finding ways they can fit their personal and professional life all in one space. With the help of modern office furniture, creating multifunctional rooms has become a simple task. How exactly can you mesh both comfort and focus in one corner? By following a few simple tips, you’ll have your bedroom, living room, and office all in one!

Choose a Room with Optimal Space

When you plan to combine a home office with your other home needs and activities, you’ll need to find a room that is able to serve several purposes. Space is something you’’ have to consider carefully. You don’t want to be tripping over electronics or toys if your office space will also occupy the game room. Choose a space that provides enough room for all your plans.

Keep Technology Needs in Mind

Whatever room you choose to occupy your office space in, you will have to plan ahead when it comes to technology. For example, you’ll want to provide enough power supply for your computer setup, a television (if there is one in the same room), and other appliances that require an outlet. You should also account for other appliances you may have such as mini-fridges or others.

Choose a Desk that Accommodates Your Needs

The desk that you choose for your multifunctional office should have just enough space for your computer setup and tools and also additional space for other purposes. You could also designate one half of your desk for the computer and the other half for note-taking and filing. This can help your productivity and organization.

Make the Space Comfortable

Since you’ll be combining your office space, it’s important to consider comfort and relaxation just as you would in any other room! Let’s start with the office chair. As opposed to using a stiff and more traditional office chair, you could use a piece of furniture that is both a lovely living room finish and a productive tool!

Choose Furniture that Has Plenty of Storage

You’ll be thinking about how much room you have during this process, therefore, you’ll also have to consider how much furniture you can incorporate. It is best to choose furniture that provides enough storage to prevent clutter and to help with keeping things organized. Furniture that offers storage can also help when it comes to keeping your space multifaceted.

Lighting: Make it Just Right

As we’ve mentioned before, when it comes to multipurpose rooms, you want to make sure it’s just as comfortable as it is productive. Some offices have lighting fixtures that are too uncomfortable to bear. When you’re at home, you want to relax and wind down. For a multifunctional home office, you’ll need a little bit of both to achieve productivity!

Make Sure to Leave Room for Other Purposes

Creating a home office doesn’t really require much space. In fact, all you need is a corner with just enough for a desk, a seat, and other tools you may have. With that being said, if you’re trying to create a multifunctional workspace, you don’t want to go overboard with the office furniture. Planning ahead and laying out your furniture may help.

Dress it Up to Your Liking

Of course, you should always have fun with the process of building your multifunctional office space! Don’t be afraid to throw in some vibrant-colored curtains, a notice board, and other materials that speak your aura. This can encourage your workflow at home if you have trouble focusing outside of the traditional office space. In addition to productivity, you should enjoy working in a home office.

Throw in Some Green

It is proven that having plants or natural elements around can decrease levels of stress during your workday. Not only does having a plant help you manage overwhelming sensations, it can also help you feel more at home and dresses the space up to be more multifaceted.

Contact Indoff Commercial Interiors Today!

The experts at Indoff Commercial Interiors is proud to provide El Paso locals with their professional needs, especially during these unprecedented times. If you’re looking for specific materials or furniture for your office space, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Getting Your Office Back Up To Speed: Work & COVID-19

If your office is like thousands of offices across the globe, you may have elected to work from home sometime during the coronavirus pandemic. The virus that took the world by storm nearly a year ago is beginning to wane in many parts of the world, so now offices are beginning to allow people back in.

But you don’t want to simply bring people in without a plan. If you don’t have some sort of plan in mind, you’ll likely end up with people in your workplace getting sick and your office shutting down once again. So how should you bring your employees back to work in a safe way?

In this blog, we’ll discuss tips that you can use to keep your employees healthy and productive!

Let Everyone In On The Sanitation Plan

This should be a no-brainer but so many companies unnecessarily leave their employees out of the loop. Your office’s response to the coronavirus should be clear to everyone who needs to follow it. Make sure none of the plan is vague, either.

Stay Patient

Often when companies experience crunch, the gut reaction from management is to crack down and pressure people to perform. This is absolutely not the way that you want to bring your people back.

If some of your employees seem a little sluggish, don’t be so quick to get rid of them. Propose an action plan and give

Create An Action Plan

In addition to having a sanitation plan, you’re going to need to have a plan for all departments to get back up to speed. Of course, this plan is going to be highly dependent on how your business has handled this period. If productivity has been lacking, then you may need to be aggressive with your plan.

Conversely, if your business has handled the pandemic well, you shouldn’t push too hard. This is for reasons that we’ll expand on in the next tip. Most importantly, be sure to balance the needs of the company with the needs of your employees.

Create A Support Network

Modern life even before COVID-19 was incredibly hectic and stressful for millions of Americans. Our current pandemic has only added more instability to an already precarious economy and social fabric. As a result, a support system at work could keep people from burning out completely or being unproductive.

This support network can be configured in a number of ways. It could be something as small as encouraging employees to reach out to each other to make a therapy program.

Consider Socially Distanced Activities

Chances are that when you go back to the office, morale won’t be so high. It’s natural, everyone has a lot on their mind, so try to think up some activities or fun incentives for a morale boost. Perhaps a fun office activity with a cool prize, or a surprise doughnut break for the team.

These activities can be tailored to your business’s specific situation. Just don’t forget to get creative and try to get everyone on the same page.

Tell Employees To Leave Work At Work

Even if offices say not to work from home, most probably secretly love when their team decides to knock something out at home. People may be even more inclined to work from home since they have been doing it for a while. But you may need to really emphasize that the work needs to stay in the office.

This is because of the stress and burnout that we mentioned earlier. With everything that is going on, it could be easy for your employees to overwork themselves and burnout. When your employees come in, just try to stress that they need to stop the work when they clock out.

Trust Indoff For Your Office Furniture!

Regardless of how you bring employees back, they’ll need a place to sit ad work. That’s where we come in. Indoff supplies the best in office furniture and equipment to support our El Paso customers.

Contact us today to learn more about our office offerings!

Office Space Design: Getting Your Office Furniture to Work for You 

a group of young employees collaborating in a shared work space

Research into how we work is nothing new. First, there were factory floors, then large office spaces that resembled factory floors, then cubicles, then the revolution against cubicles, then the technology and internet age. Every step of the way business executives and heads of major companies have been trying to figure out a way to improve the way we work. A big part of improving productivity and increasing collaboration lies in the way that people’s workspace is arranged, although not many companies consider this as an asset or tool for growth. Here at Indoff Office Furniture, we understand that the office is not just the place we arrive at in the morning with coffee stains on our shirt, our hair undone, and flustered from the morning commute. The office space needs to be so much more than that. 

Many startups and tech companies today are trying innovative ways to propel their workforce to improve workflow. Sometimes it feels like they are at odds with themselves. After all, the office is not one dimensional. Here at Indoff Office Furniture, we understand that. We see the office as a place that should inspire creativity but also encourage comfort; it is a place that lends itself to quiet solitude and focus but also makes interaction and collaboration easy. The office space should do all these things while maximizing space and suggesting a feeling of modernity and coziness. 

Let’s take a step back, where did all this begin?

The roots of the office design were born out of necessity. As the white-collar age began, many big-time company execs understood that housing all of their employees in one building could present a series of problems but also opportunities. During the turn of the 20th century, Taylorism was born and would today be looked at with some scorn. The office layout consisted of a fully open layout with all employees laid out in one big room as company executives looked on from above the way that factory floors were often structured. This creation of hierarchy and separation would not bode very well today but the movement was deemed Taylorism, after Frederick Taylor, who was obsessed with productivity and efficiency. The levels were soon done away with and the arrangement became more utilitarian by the mid-50s, although much of the space still remained relatively open. Later in the 20th century, Herman Miller created the Action, a semi-personal workstation that created dividers between workers but gave enough space for some conversation. This little station has gained quite the reputation and has in some ways become synonymous with the drone and tedium of modern life, yet it did change the way that office space was conceived for many years. This is, of course, the cubicle. 

The Move Towards Collaborative Spaces Using Furniture and Space Arrangement 

The modern age has us not only working with technology but working to further technological advancements, services, software, and more. Regardless of what your office works on or develops, the space where your workers attack the problems and challenges must be conducive to a better work environment. 

Approaches to Better Office Design and Increased Productivity 

See your office design and furniture as tools for growth. For the modern age, this might include re-engineering office space to encourage interactions and communication between different departments or types of employees. Let the developers mingle with the designers, let the creatives watercooler-talk with the salespeople, and let the managers interact free with their teams. This happens simply by re-thinking the way our spaces are laid out. In terms of furniture, it might include using different types of desks in one area and other more private cubbies in another. 

Use furniture as a way to set the tone and create comfort. There are so many more options today than simple cubicles or bland desks that tend to create clutter. One thing that does increase people’s stress is the clutter that begins to form when the arrangement of the room is not conducive to storage or the maximizing of space. Today’s office furniture offers a lot of interesting alternatives, many of which can increase employees’ comfort level and set different tones for different rooms. Technology companies like Google—who have truly revolutionized the office space— have found that productivity happens in a spectrum, so they have designed different rooms to be conducive to different types of work, from solo work to semi-quite focused areas, to full open collaborative spaces. 

Indoff Office Furniture is meant to help you maximize and reengineer your office space in a way that inspires your employees to be more productive, comfortable, and happy at work. 

 

How The Color Of Your Workplace Affects Productivity

An animated office with glass windows, conference room, computer tables, with plants and hanging lights.

There’s so much we do to set up the perfect workspace. From the right kind of coffee to kick-start your day, to finding that perfect chair for posture. But have you ever thought about the color scheme you’re surrounded by? Studies have shown that your office paint job can affect you more than you realize. A study done by Color Psychologist Angela Wright proves to show how color can change your mindset. It’s time to reanalyze your efficiency and optimize your productivity. If you’re working from home or heading back to the office soon, here’s how changing the color of your workspace can change how you work.

Color = Productivity

Before you jump up and pick your favorite color for your workplace (let’s not break out the neon scheme just yet), you should know what individual colors mean. Think about it from an artist’s perspective. They pick certain colors to bring out specific moods and emotions in their work. If they’re creating a calming spring meadow, they’re not going to use Hi-Fi reds and oranges. They’ll aim for blues, greens, even some yellows to relax your mind. Let’s look at some of the primary colors and their effects on the mind. 

modern working office with efficient colorful walls and carpeting to enhance productivity

Red: Stimulating And Attention Grabbing

Although stimulating, the color red has its pros and cons for the work environment. Think of a stop sign – it catches our attention immediately. It’s also probably what your teacher used when marking up that paper you spent all night working on. Mostly, it’s a call for attention in the details. It raises our blood pressure and can activate our “fight or flight” instinct. Although the color red isn’t recommended for a relaxing workplace, it’s productive when drawing one’s attention to a key item. It also has two ways on the spectrum it can land on – pink and burgundy. Pink has a light-hearted feel, whereas burgundy takes a sophisticated and serious tone. The verdict? Use it sparingly or just to highlight something important in the office.  

Blue: Productivity and Calming

Quite the opposite of red, and known for its calming ability, blue has the most significant productivity boost in the office. If you use blue as the base color for office productivity, you can use other colors as accents since so much goes well with the color. It has the opposite effect from red as it lowers the blood pressure. Creating a calming feeling, it aids the mind for concentration at its fullest. 

Green: Relaxing and Peaceful

Hitting that 40-hour workweek can be exhausting no matter what you do. Luckily, green has a significant effect on calming people down. It’s key to relaxation, mainly because green doesn’t strain the eyes. It’s no wonder offices have open windows with plenty of nature surrounding them. You can even place plants around the office to help create this effect as well. It’s perfect for keeping your mind at peace for those overwhelming projects and deadlines.

Yellow: Collaboration and Optimism 

As much as we love being relaxed and cozy, too much can put us to sleep. A touch of yellow can bring in some energy and positive emotions into the office space. If you want to highlight collaboration, yellow can help to bring out an uplifting and vibrant mood. It’s also known for stimulating creativity and optimism. Although, too much can be an oversaturation. It’s known as the least favorite color for most adults, so use it sparingly and in key spots.

Group of joyful and cheerful coworkers sitting together in bright creative office and laughing while discussing launch of new project of company

Working From Home

 So, you’ve set-up your at-home office, probably in a room that wasn’t used much before. Or maybe, you’re in the center of everything in your living room. You probably went from spending your early mornings and evenings at home, but now you’re there all day. Take a step back and see what color fits both your living and home working situation. You’ll find it makes a more significant influence than you realize.   

Back To The Office 

As a business owner, most of your staff might be working from home right now, and that’s okay. It has its pros with everyone out of the building. Now is the perfect time to renovate the office space a little. This doesn’t mean you need to break out the paint buckets either, you can do all of this with furniture as well. Not everyone has the luxury of owning a building or the budget to paint every wall and room in the office. By simply updating the furniture, you can make the entire room come to life.

Also, remember that each color’s tone and brightness take a big part of what you’re choosing. You don’t want to oversaturate your office or pick the wrong color for the wrong room. Our leader, Kim Gregory, can help you decide what message and vibe you’re sending not only to your clients but to your people.

More Than Just A Color  

A key thing to remember is the intensity and saturation of each color. Selecting colors in key spots means more than a whole room one color. The CEO having a blue highlighted door can mean trustworthiness and dependability. Green plants bring in freshness and nature into the office, and so on. So, before picking that basic beige or white walls, think about how you can truly optimize productivity with your color schemes.