Tools for a Clean Desk

Working effectively is impossible when you don’t have what you need, and your space is a mess. According to this great study from the Harvard Business Review, “People sitting at messy desks are less efficient, less persistent, and more frustrated and weary than those with neat desks.”  While you can’t expect everything in your office to “spark joy,” you can find other ways of creating a neat, productive environment at work.

“A place for everything, and everything in its place” is a great strategy for helping you get and stay organized. Having the right tools for the job is necessary to help you execute that organization. Take a look at these great products to help in your quest to make your workspace work for you!

Documents


While everyone is using the cloud, most of us still handle some sort of paper at work. Luckily there are many helpful tools to make sure your documents stay organized.

Tonic Trolly by Watson

Use mobile pedestals or trollies for folders, files, snacks, tools, anything you can think of. They easily stash under your desk, can double up as a seat for a quick one-on-one, or follow you when you need to move to another workspace. These storage companions will save a ton of real estate on your desk, and keep your purse or laptop bag off the floor!

Tonic Stash by Watson

Desktop Clutter

Paper and folder trays will help you keep everything neat, accessible and in one place on your desk. Some, like this one by Safco, come with power options to keep your devices charging while you work!

Onyx Powered by Safco
Gridworks Compact System by Safco

Depending on your specific workstation, there many different kinds of wall -hanging organizers to free up even more desk space! Customizable to whatever your needs, these help keep everything right in front of you but not in your way.

Tech Management

If you feel your computer is crowding your desk, these simple accessories will make life easier!

CPU MINI by ESI

CPU Holders like this ESI CPU Mini will attach under your desk and off the floor giving you back your valuable workspace.

Unity G2 Dual by Symmetry

Monitor Arms are another option for clearing up your desk. There are many for holding multiple monitors in different layouts, and even a platform for a laptop if that’s your thing. Great for ergonomics, these arms will maneuver to whatever height works best for you.

Neatlinks by Humanscale

Another handy accessory is a wire management system, to keep those cords neatly in place. This helps keep your office looking organized and saves you from tripping over wires.

Hopefully these tools will help you set your workstation up for success! If you need help finding which tools work best for your desk, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Rose City Office Furnishings – (503) 285-8100

Choosing Office Colors

Colors are a major part of our world, we are visual creatures after all! So when it comes to the office, the colors you choose can have a profound impact on productivity and morale. It’s tough to know where to start, so use this guide to help you choose!

First Thing’s First – The Message

 

 

 

You may have heard of color psychology – the study of hues as a determinant of human behavior. While our perceptions of color vary based on individual and cultural experience, there is still a fairly strong standard of what colors signify. Yellow is a happy color, black is a brooding color, green is a fresh color, groundbreaking stuff right? When you want to add or change colors in the workplace, start with the message you want to send. Are you a serious, well-established law firm? Are you a fun, creative studio, shaping the world through positive design? Are you a bank with the utmost integrity? Consider what you want your space to say about your brand, and choose colors that evoke this message.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Not Just the Color, It’s the Intensity

So you’ve picked colors that are sending the right message, but that’s not enough. Which shade you pick also sends its own message, and has its own uses.

 

 

Bold colors are great, they’re exciting and fun and can’t be ignored- but that doesn’t mean your staff wants to see hot pink everywhere they look. These work best as accents, like one wall or a stripe.

 

 

 

Pale colors are the most common and easiest choice – it’s hard to mess up something you don’t really notice. These are great for the majority of your space because they blend in very well. If you’ve got small rooms, or rooms with no windows, pale colors are your best bet for reflecting light, giving rooms an airy feel.

 

 

 

Deep Colors get noticed. They make a dramatic statement without screaming “Look At Me!” These rich and soothing tones work well for spaces that are down-to-earth, established, and strong. Avoid painting those small, windowless rooms with these colors as they will just make everyone a little claustrophobic. If you have an open floor plan, these colors can help tie the room together without drowning everything out.

 

 

60-30-10

If you’ve studied design, you’ve probably heard this rule. 60% of your space should be the main color, 30% the secondary color, and 10% the accent color. This is a great tip to keep in mind, so you don’t go overboard with that bright turquoise, but still get to incorporate it throughout your space. Good design is about balance, and it goes beyond your walls. This rule applies to everything from the panels on cubicles to the couches in the lobby.

 

The Last Bits –  Furniture, Accessories, and Branding

Luckily, furniture manufacturers know that people love color! You have access to countless colorful chairs, panels, and accessories. Textile manufacturers use literally every color in the book, allowing you to choose fabrics that will tie the whole space together. Why not choose neutral colored furniture that allow for replaceable panels and cushions, so you can change it up down the road, without having to throw the whole lot out.

The whole point of a well designed office is to help your company succeed. Whether it’s inspiring employees, increasing productivity, or impressing clients, your office needs to be all about your organization. If your company’s colors are red and yellow, it’s probably smarter to include those in your design than making everything purple. This isn’t to say that the office should look like a fast food chain, but tying in these colors can subtly reinforce your brand.

 

 

So Go Forth! Paint the office red! Or blue! Green! Coral is in this year, so make a splash! Delight your clients and employees with a change of pace! If you need help, well, Rose City is just a phone call away!

Optimizing Workstations for Productivity

Ah, the cubicle, the home away from home. If you want the best from your staff, do your part in ensuring they have a workstation that nurtures productivity. Consider the following aspects of your office and evaluate how the setup you’ve provided measures up.

FLEXIBLE FURNITURE

We know sitting for several hours a day, every day, for years and years, just isn’t healthy. By providing sit-stand desks, adjustable monitor arms, optional footrests and ergonomic chairs with armrests, you can help tailor every workstation to every person. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all here, so many sure everyone has what they need. Try hiring an ergonomist to run through the office and make sure everyone has the tools to take care of their body.

 

NOISE LEVELS

We’ve all had to work near a Chatty Cathy and a Talkative Tom, and sometimes their stories are all you can think about! Use noise reducing panels on workstations, desks, walls, even flooring to help everyone focus.

CLIMATE CONTROL

Different bodies run at different temperatures, and few things are as distracting as being too hot or too cold. Most people don’t want to impose on others by changing the temperature of the whole office. Make sure to have enough desk fans and space heaters on-hand so everyone can make themselves comfortable. Above all, don’t forget to regularly check in and see how everyone feels about the thermostat.

 

QUALITY

Don’t let your office fall into disrepair. Putting off replacing worn out chairs and chipped desks is a recipe for reduced morale. Your staff works hard for you, you owe it to them to have quality furnishings.

LIGHTING

Poor lighting leads to headaches, tension, eye strain, lack of focus, drowsiness and stress; not exactly helpful for productivity. If you’ve got windows, make sure the light they provide is accessible. Ensure your office has ambient lighting, overhead lighting and task lighting. Instead of fluorescent, opt for bright white or blue-enriched LEDs which increase alertness, performance and sleep quality.

PLANTS

While the visual aspect makes an office appealing, plants do much more than look nice. Noise absorption, air cleaning and stress reduction are just a few benefits having plants in the workplace can bring. Be sure to consider plants that will do well in an office; there are many which require less light, less water, and are hypoallergenic. Nature makes people feel good, so incorporate some into your workplace.