So, you’ve FINALLY found that perfect office space that ticks all your boxes…but now what? Like many before you, you might have factored in major startup costs like electronics and rent but hadn’t considered the importance of those personal touches that make it your own.
It can be a bit daunting when you get into your brand new shiny office space. Those four empty walls can be pretty imposing without any extras like shelving or wall art. Luckily for you, we’ve put our heads together to bring you these top tips for kitting your office out on a budget.
Regardless of whether you’re a small business just starting out, or a big, well-established company – everybody loves a bargain!
Refurbished tech
You’ll save a pretty penny by getting refurbished laptops, mobiles and tablets. A lot of people mistakenly wrinkle their noses at the thought of a repaired laptop. All it means is that the device has been returned for one reason or another and fixed up by the manufacturer or third party. This can often mean it performs even better as a result of getting check over.
There’s absolutely nothing risky about sourcing your office tech this way and in fact, the Apple store, Dell and others even promote buying refurbished stock.
Second hand is your best friend
For the lowest prices and often the quirkiest finds – eBay is your one stop shop for everybody’s second hand goodies. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the stuff on there will be low quality just because it’s second hand. The phrase one man’s trash is another man’s treasure rings true here.
If you’re lucky you might even be able to find some stuff for free on Freecycle, a website for people who just want their unwanted clobber gone with no charge.
It’s a good idea to have a theme in mind when grabbing freebies and low cost items. You might end up with a load of bric-a-brac that doesn’t go well together otherwise. Give Pinterest a try, it’s excellent for design inspiration.
Get artsy
Your aim is to create an attractive space that breeds productivity. Surround yourself and team with inspiring imagery to craft your business’ internal brand. Finding appropriate wall art can seem like an unavoidably expensive task – but what if we told you you can get your hands on wall art for free? Well, almost!
All you need to do is find a Creative Commons license image that you like the look of – Pexels, Flickr & Pixabay have plenty. Then you can make it your own with some filters and effects using a free editing software like Canva. Voila! You have your very own wall art with a personal twist, just buy yourself an inexpensive frame and get printing.
Alternatively, if you’re not the artsy type, there are plenty of free artwork galleries online where graphic designers donate their work. Once again, Pinterest is a great place to look.
Bring the outside in
Looking to make your office space appear bigger, brighter and greener? Breathe some life into the place by adding some foliage to your desks. Plants are an inexpensive way to add a little décor. Plus nature has been proven to boost creativity and wellbeing – making it a great addition to offices.
Keeping plants alive can be a bit of a task in itself. If you’re not blessed with a green thumb, you might want to consider getting a low maintenance plant like a succulent. These pretty little desert plants require very little water. Pothos are great too as they don’t need a lot of light to thrive.
If you’re worried about space, there are loads of cute little plant pots out there no larger than a coffee mug. These work great in between boxes on shelves without being too imposing.