Branding is most recognized in a company’s marketing and advertising. But creative branding is also important to a business’s physical space. Colors, fonts, and logos create visual appeal in the office interior, spreading the brand message and core mission far and wide.

What is branding?

Whether the business is a small startup or an established corporation with worldwide recognition, branding plays an important role. Customers, competitors, and the community perceive the company through the unique lens of branding. Creative branding shapes their perceptions and sets the company’s trajectory.

A business’s identity is showcased through its name and logo, choice of design and colors, mission, core values, and tone. Other aspects of branding include the uniqueness of the products, the level of quality customer service, and even the pricing strategy the company employs.

The company’s creative branding extends to their office interior. Employees and visitors are given an inside look at where the creative juices start when they enter a business that has made the space their own. Staff also feel like a part of the team when the office is branded.

What are the benefits of office branding?

An office space with the company colors on walls, furniture, and décor improves employee morale. Brand visibility also increases among visitors who associate the visual intrigue with a positive experience. Office wall graphics can easily become backdrops for social media posts and other marketing.

What are creative solutions to branding issues in office interiors?

1. Showcase the Company Logo

A vibrant, updated logo with the company colors is the starting point for branding the office. The logo should be displayed prominently in the office building, ready to be viewed and appreciated by the visitors, partners, and staff who see it immediately upon entering.

2. Create a Branded Wall

Branded walls are achieved with the help of graphics. Easily customizable and installed, office wall graphics can be placed on the walls to create a focal point and simultaneously incorporate visual branding. Use the company colors and logo to create eye-catching designs.

3. Employ Zoning Techniques

Zoning techniques can be used to distinguish one office space from another. For example, install a tranquil ocean print on the lunchroom wall to promote relaxation. The meeting room might feature a frosted wall to promote privacy. Add visual intrigue to the lobby with abstract prints.

4. Reinforce Brand Identity with Décor

Gift office employees branded coffee mugs to help them feel they are a valuable part of the team. Consider distributing branded pens, soft touch notebooks, or custom sticky notes, too. Custom wall art also helps reinforce the brand identity, creating visual and emotional cohesiveness.

5. Revitalize the Space with Nature

A company that prioritizes sustainability might enhance their office branding with green practices. Living walls filled with plants showcase the company’s commitment to the environment, while adding vibrancy to the communal workspace. The company’s eco-friendly values and office interior immediately align.

6. Promote Company Celebrations

Custom infographics are an ideal way to inform employees about various company events, from new product rollouts to team-building trips. Branded images are effective when the business hits benchmarks or closes major deals. LED walls, SEG graphics, and glass clings deliver uplifting messages creatively.

7. Design the Interior with Branding

One of the best ways to enhance branding inside the office is to incorporate the company colors, fonts, and logos in the interior design. A company that sells guitars, for instance, might feature guitar-themed acoustic paneling on the conference room walls paired with fun, bright yellow chairs.

The headquarters of a coffee shop might infuse their office space with playful décor. For instance, the offices might be designed to look like the interior of one of their locations, with cozy chairs, coffee jar décor on the shelves, and the colorful company logo in the center.

8. Prioritize High Traffic Areas

Certain areas in the company benefit from more focused branding. The reception or lobby area, for instance, should receive red-carpet treatment, simply due to their high level of visibility. If meeting rooms are used frequently, ensure branding is front and center in these areas, too.

Proactive branding should be an integral part of every company’s interior office design. By utilizing the abovementioned solutions to creative branding issues, businesses show their employees, customers, partners, and visitors that they prize their team and the work they do.

Every inch of the workplace ideally reflects the company’s brand. The interior office itself, from the lunchrooms to the conference rooms and the lobby, should genuinely showcase the company culture. A thoughtfully branded space helps create a memorable brand experience for everyone.

When your office interior could use an upgrade, renovations may be necessary. Chicago Office Movers is ready to help you achieve your goal. Our office moving crews will carefully move heavy furniture, uninstall equipment, and move office goods to a new building so that your renovation can get underway.

In preparation for your exciting renovation project, our moving professionals pack and label boxes, clear out appliances and equipment, and pack the moving truck. Since we’re connected with organizations that accept or discard old furniture, we can properly eliminate unwanted possessions.

However, if your company intends to relocate to an entirely different space, Chicago Office Movers can transport your goods with our dependable corporate relocation services. We take care of the move from start to finish, including planning, packing, moving, and unpacking at the destination.

Business customers enjoy a wide range of conveniences. We offer short- and long-term storage options, add-on services and insurance and service contracts. Crews are licensed, trained, and background-checked to give you confidence. We’ll move your company locally, long distance, or internationally.

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Today’s offices are designed to meet the needs of both remote employees and in-house staff. A flexible hybrid office design encourages work-life balance and provides greater autonomy to workers—all of which promote satisfaction, stability and enhanced engagement in tasks.

The hybrid office space is not intended for every industry. Rather, this contemporary type of design is meant to benefit employees whose primary duties can be done on the computer and offsite. A hybrid office design is not a temporary solution—but the future of agile workplaces.

Covid-19 accelerated the transition to hybrid offices, although the move toward this type of design was happening long before then. At the height of the pandemic, teams became dispersed, and management had to find a way to continue productivity and oversight without losing morale.

Since the end of the pandemic, workers have been reentering the office. The hybrid office design is becoming increasingly commonplace, and employees are beginning to favor this flexible style of working. The goal is to design an office that supports everyone’s needs.

The hybrid office is the solution for both in-house and remote workers. Employees have a choice of when, how, and where they work—this flexibility boosts the number of high performers to 55 percent, whereas the number of high performers who work solely in the office remains at 36 percent.

What are elements of a hybrid office design?

1. Diverse Workspaces

What does a hybrid office look like? The primary design feature is ample space for all types of work. Two-person meetings are held in booths; specific work tasks are accomplished at desks; and, meeting rooms are scheduled for team collaborations—all within the same office.

An office ecosystem that allows employees to find the ideal setup helps them get work done. Pods and booths support specific needs. Staff must also connect with remote workers. Virtual meetings are most successful when they are held in quiet, private workspaces.

Rather than knock down office walls, managers can repurpose existing equipment. Acoustic screens and whiteboards, for instance, can be positioned to establish physical boundaries around collaboration areas. Digital screens are moveable technologies that can be rolled to designated work spaces.

2. Technology

Technology is essential in the success of a hybrid office design. Depending on the company, some offices must be equipped with optimal video conferencing technology, while others may need improved spaces fitted with moveable acoustic screens or virtual whiteboards to better use digital gadgets.

Organization is also key—and technology makes this element easier. Booking systems, for instance, can be adopted to allow office workers to “book” a desk for a day. This type of system prevents staff coming into the office from being unable to find places to work.

A challenge to scheduling desks, however, is making employees feel connected to their workspaces. The answer to this problem is the team pod. Neighborhood desks give staff a home base from which to conduct their work three to four days out of the week.

3. Social Areas

Similarly, employees must feel connected when they work in a hybrid office. Face-to-face encounters are vital to fostering empathy and emotional connections. A hybrid office design encourages serendipitous meetings, such as when colleagues bump into each other and discuss projects.

In-person meetings are necessary for not only collaborations but building trust among employees. As a result of frequent in-person interactions, employees experience professional rewards, like greater commitment, support, and cooperation between teams. The hybrid office design makes these face-to-face meetings happen.

Opportunities for social interactions can occur in other ways. Companies may bring colleagues together once a year for a weeklong getaway, where long-lasting, influential bonds are built. Or, winding staircases can encourage impromptu meetings between office workers from different departments.

When these informal encounters happen, acoustics goes a long way toward motivating colleagues to socialize. Sounds around desks can be muted by sound-absorbent materials on ceilings and floors. But in areas designed for socializing, using less sound-absorbent material promotes chatting among staff.

Hybrid office designs cater to the needs of both in-house and remote workers, but real-life interactions rank highly. While employees value socializing with colleagues and impromptu in-person chats, they also want access to technology, professional development opportunities, and to feel a part of the community.

The most effective hybrid office motivates employees. Companies should focus on not only office design but technology and general office procedures to make their hybrid office a space workers want to walk into when they work onsite certain days of the week.

The ideal hybrid office is a place where staff members can absorb the workplace culture, receive mentoring, share ideas, and engage in impromptu meetings with their colleagues. The challenge remains in creating a seamless transition between home and work environments.

When your company has plans to relocate to a building that suits the needs of both in-house and remote staff, you’ll need a reliable office mover. Chicago Office Movers is the area’s most trusted commercial mover and our experience ensures your move will be successful.

Moving a business is a major feat, but with our skilled moving crews, the task can be accomplished on time and within budget. Our background-checked, union movers pack, transport, and unpack all office goods. Move specialists can also help you plan every phase of the relocation.

We offer a wide range of convenient moving services, including short- and long-term storage, paperwork storage, and insurance contracts. Our trucks feature climate-controlled spaces, lift gates, and air-ride suspensions that will fully protect your fragile office goods and equipment during transport.

Chicago Office Movers is the preferred mover for major companies and smaller ones, too. We’ve managed moves for Alcatel Lucent and Northwestern University. You’ll receive excellent customer service and secure handling when you schedule your move with our office moving company.

Whether you intend to move office furniture, IT systems and servers, science lab equipment or everything in between, Chicago Office Movers will ensure your relocation goes smoothly. Our Chicago-based company is available for long-distance, international, and local moves.

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Smart office technology is designed to improve workflow in today’s companies. Offices integrate high-tech gadgets and advancements to help employees work smarter, better, and faster. The technological frontier is vast, but certain smart office technologies are making a big splash.

Also known as the digital workplace or responsive workspace, the smart office is here to stay. A wide range of technology is utilized to the max, ensuring the work environment is intelligent and fully capable of adapting to meet the ongoing needs of employees.

The goal behind smart office technology is to automate routine tasks normally performed by human staff, thereby freeing up time for employees to tackle the work that technology is not yet capable of doing. As a result, businesses squeeze out more from employees while keeping them happy.

Smart office technology spans from refrigerators that let employees know when the cheese has run out to voice assistants that promptly answer any questions put to them. Smart technology is diverse, and not all offices need every latest gadget to stay ahead.

1. Smart Climate Control Systems

The temperature preferences among office personnel vary widely. Some staff prefer a cool work environment, while others are most comfortable in a warm space. While pleasing everyone is difficult, if not impossible, smart HVAC systems give employees control right from the office.

The detection capabilities of the smart climate control systems home in on preferences, usage patterns, outdoor weather, and company calendars. This real-time information prompts the system to regulate indoor temperatures. Increased productivity and a boost in morale are linked with employee comfort.

2. Smart Lighting

Offices that aim to reduce their energy costs use smart lighting. Installing this technology can save companies up to 90 percent on energy bills. Smart lighting automatically adjusts based on how many staff members are in the workspace as well as the degree of natural light.

Companies that are intentional about their energy usage while also focusing on promoting an environmentally friendly image benefit from installing smart lighting. The technology helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint in the office—a win-win for the company’s image and the environment.

3. Digital Assistants

Digital assistants are gaining ground in the commercial space fast. Office assistants are used for booking conference rooms, initiating phone calls, or sending emails. Ooma’s Virtual Receptionist, for instance, is a practical replacement for a full-time employee and comes at a fraction of the cost.

Like traditional human receptionists, the digital version takes incoming phone calls and instantly directs them to the right staff member. It creates automated messages that provide callers with the company’s office hours and list of employees. Staff can also check messages from a mobile device.

Companies that incorporate digital assistants are better able to streamline customer service, since the technology supports both customers and employees. Customer satisfaction spikes when customers receive immediate assistance—and digital assistants are available to help 24/7, even during hours when businesses are closed.

4. Smart Collaboration Tools

The post-pandemic era has ushered in remote work. Collaboration remains vital to the health of businesses, making video conferencing software a must-have in smart offices. Virtual meetings appear crisper and sound comes through sharper with the use of high-quality webcams and video equipment.

Virtual whiteboard software is another crucial tool in smart offices. Remote and off-site employees are able to utilize this smart technology to participate in collaborations just as they would in person. Encrypted cloud servers, too, hold data, giving team members access to information at any time.

5. Smart Security Systems and Maps

Gone are the days of staff fumbling with key fobs and keycards. Today’s companies rely on smart security systems and access control systems. Employees enter and exit the building with advancements, like two-factor authentication, built-in fingerprint scans, or facial recognition.

Visitor management is likewise enhanced with mobile guest pass credentials, which guests can access through email or text. Digital maps accessed via smartphone are useful for helping visitors find their way around large office buildings and directing them to conference rooms or halls.

These five smart office technologies improve the way employees work. While it’s expedient to have a wide range of technologies in the office, companies are encouraged to start the transition to a smart office gradually. Determine the needs of staff and what updates should be prioritized.

Ask employees what current technology is the most frustrating and which smart technology would provide the solution. Assess the company budget and choose an upgrade that will offer the biggest impact now and in the future. Choose flexible technology when business growth is expected.

Company leaders may also foresee adding offices or relocating to a newer facility. Keep these factors in mind, too, when deciding to implement possible smart technology solutions. If your company is moving, you’ll need a commercial mover with a track record for excellence, like Chicago Office Movers.

A corporate relocation is a significant event, one that needs a team of professionals to see it through to completion. At Chicago Office Movers, our dedicated crews will help your company leaders plan the move, securely pack all office goods, and unpack the items so your team resumes operations quickly.

Our office movers are licensed, trained, and experienced to ensure complete customer satisfaction. To meet the demands of business customers, we offer comprehensive services, which include short- and long-term storage options, paperwork storage, customizable add-on services, and service and insurance contracts.

Whether you are moving lab equipment, sensitive electronics, IT systems and server rooms, or cubicles, Chicago Office Movers will manage the entire move while staying on schedule and within budget. Our trucks feature climate-controlled spaces and lift gates to protect fragile office goods.

There’s a reason Chicago Office Movers continues to be trusted by prestigious area businesses: our commitment to quality during every phase of the office relocation.

When your company has plans to move locally, long-distance, or internationally, call our Chicago, Illinois, location at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) or fill out a form for a free estimate.

The ideal office layout skyrockets productivity and enhances communication between staff. In the most effective layout, all space is utilized. While office managers are flooded with varying office layout options, the most popular remain so for a reason. Here are the best office layouts.

A functional office layout should meet certain standards. One is to make use of all available floor space. Managers will be able to supervise employees and control their workforce. Communication is facilitated between departments and provides provisions for future expansion.

Employees, too, benefit significantly when they work in the right type of office layout. A wholesome environment increases workers’ feelings of comfort and safety. Staff who work on confidential projects can work in privacy. The right office layout is disturbance-free from external noises.

1. Open-Plan Layout

Most popular with tech startups, creative firms, and growing companies, the open-plan layout enhances collaboration between team members. Walls and separations are not installed between workstations. Desks are stacked up side by side, or work-tables may facilitate meetings between multiple staff.

The benefits of the open-plan layout include reduced cost and saved space. The flexible seating arrangements allow for easy reconfiguration. Disadvantages also exist in an open-play layout: Distractions are constant, and some staff may feel anxious about the lack of privacy.

2. Private Office Layout

Mostly reserved for executives, managers, and other upper-level staff, the private office layout is sealed off entirely from the rest of the office floor. The interior walls reach up to the ceilings, providing a cellular style workstation. Sometimes multiple managers share a private office.

A private office layout is suitable for confidential projects and discussions. Senior managers enjoy a comfortable layout that facilitates the ability to concentrate and focus. The cons are that this isolating type of layout is uneconomical and makes it difficult to supervise employees.

3. Team-Cluster Layout

A popular office layout for team-based work, the team-cluster layout or team-oriented office layout, gives groups of employees plenty of collaboration opportunities. Depending on the nature of the work, staff share a single table for meetings, discussions, and a range of employee interactions.

A major advantage of the team-cluster layout is the minimized need for meeting rooms. Team building is strengthened between employees. Workflow is streamlined and productivity is boosted. Drawbacks are that staff are prone to noises, distractions, and a lack of individual spaces.

4. Cubicle Office Layout

The most cost-efficient layout is the cubicle office layout. Workspaces are separated by partitioning walls forming the shape of a cube. Oftentimes, the cubicle layout is combined with private offices for senior staff as well as built-in meeting rooms. This layout remains popular across corporate offices.

Equality is promoted in the cubicle office layout since all employees receive an equal amount of private space. Staff are able to focus without distractions. A large area can hold multiple workspaces. The downsides are that workers have fewer opportunities to interact, and the layout requires more space.

5. Low-Partition Office Layout

The modernized version of the cubicle layout is the low-partition office layout. This type of office design features cubicle walls that are lower in height than the partitions in standard cubicles. The low-partition office layout, in effect, fosters collaboration between employees.

Another benefit of the low-partition office layout is how it enhances the work environment. Lower partitions allow more natural light to enter the cubicles. However, this design can make chitchat frequent and distract employees from work. Privacy may also be lacking.

6. Hybrid Office Layout

Fully customizable, the hybrid office layout blends the pleasing aspects of multiple types of office layouts into one. This design is the newest of all available styles and is the ideal solution to the disadvantages prominent in open offices and cubicles.

The hybrid office layout facilitates a dynamic work environment. Office managers can mix and match any of the abovementioned layouts, creating a versatile space. For example, an innovative office design may include a few cubicles, open-plan spaces, and co-working areas.

The benefits of a hybrid office layout are many. Being customizable is the biggest draw. Employees enjoy more control over where and how they work, thereby contributing to their work satisfaction. Mood improves in a hybrid layout, boosting productivity. More noise, however, can lead to distractions.

Office layouts come in diverse shapes and sizes. Choosing the right one that suits the needs of a particular company culture is vital to ensuring optimum productivity and employee well-being. Consider the workplace culture, number of staff, and workflow when evaluating potential office layouts.

For some businesses, optimizing the workspace may mean simply moving desks and installing a few partitions. Other companies may need to embrace a holistic approach and carefully design the office based on the needs of their employees and the business.

Transforming an office layout to one that better suits your company’s needs may require professional assistance from Chicago Office Movers. Our experienced crews are available to move bulky office furniture and equipment so that you and your team work in a space that meets your needs.

When you are relocating to a new office altogether, Chicago Office Movers will make that important transition happen as seamlessly as possible. Our commercial movers are licensed, background-checked, and trained to protect your valuable office equipment and deliver professional service.

We fully protect office belongings with sturdy boxes and crates. Our climate-controlled trucks feature lift gates and air-ride suspensions to further safeguard fragile items during transport to the new corporate location. Convenient short- and long-term storage options and packing services are available.

Chicago Office Movers has successfully moved large corporations, like Alcatel Lucent, as well as smaller companies. Our dedicated office movers have safely transported cubicles, IT systems, electronics, artwork, antiques, and office furniture. We’ll provide you with the same excellent quality service.

Whether you are planning a local, long-distance, or international corporate relocation, choose Chicago Office Movers. We provide comprehensive moving services tailored especially for commercial businesses.

Call our Chicago office at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) for an estimate and join the ranks of our satisfied customers.

The office is where the majority of a company’s success happens. Colleagues brainstorm and collaborate, making the workspace an important part of productivity. But when the size of the office seems inadequate, it’s important to get the most out of it.

When planning the office layout, do so well in advance of moving in. This step saves the company time and money and simplifies the task of choosing office furniture and other essentials for the new office space. The layout should ideally meet the demands of how the team operates.

1. Foster Collaboration and Privacy

If office employees frequently collaborate, brainstorm, or meet with clients, then the layout should encourage these important work activities. Prioritize comfort. Cushiony couches and ergonomic chairs put staff members at ease, allowing them to focus on contributing to the discussions.

Not every office worker performs well in a team environment. Private and semi-private rooms are beneficial for staff members who are unable to focus in large groups. When planning the office, incorporate areas that feature both shared spaces as well as private areas.

Building privacy pods, for instance, is an opportunity for managers to get the most out of their office space. These dedicated personal spaces can be used for activities other than work, such as making phone calls or reading. The pods give employees private time while being at the office.

Take into account the unique needs of the office staff when attempting to maximize the office space. Give the employees different options for where they’d like to work. Keeping all members of the team happy helps them stay engaged and productive throughout the workday.

2. Use Functional, Movable Furniture

Furniture and its layout should also encourage ongoing brainstorming sessions. The furniture must be plentiful so that all office staff are accommodated. Arrange the couches in a circle to foster the idea of equal exchange and give everyone the ability to easily view their collaborators.

The aesthetic appeal of office furniture can create the desired mood for any type of company, whether it is one that is traditional or fun. However, the functionality of office desks and chairs is equally vital. Movable furniture offers office managers flexibility, while enhancing the office space.

Today’s employees require flexibility. Long gone are the days when fixed furniture overwhelmed the office. Nowadays, flexible furniture, such as ergonomic chairs, better meet the needs of employees, who can move the furniture around as needed. Plus, movable furniture adds extra space to the office.

3. Maximize Storage

An organized workspace is achieved through shelving and storage units. In fact, each office employee should be provided with a personal storage unit. Pedestals, for instance, can be tucked underneath the desk, thereby saving valuable office space. Mobile pedestals are not only useful but can be relocated.

Shelves installed above each desk give office staff easy access to everyday supplies. Dry-erase boards can be hung to communicate important messages. Wall-mounted shelves keep reference books and fun office knickknacks, like photos, within easy reach while not taking up floor space.

Personal storage systems help keep desks neat and uncluttered. An efficient space promotes organization in employees as they work. Desk drawers can be utilized to store pens and highlighters if the staff frequently use paper; similarly, hanging wall pockets keeps supplies within reach.

When optimizing storage spaces within the office, keep in mind their visual appeal. Some office storage options are large and bulky, and others are small and slim. Choose storage systems that complement the office layout, while also meeting the needs of the team.

4. Light Up the Office

Lighting and ventilation are essential when large numbers of employees share a work space. Both features are important to enhancing employee productivity, even going so far as to reduce the number of staff illnesses. A healthier work environment can be achieved by installing LED lighting.

While artificial lighting helps staff members work comfortably, natural lighting is equally beneficial. Employees enjoy having an outside view; so, when possible, choose an office space with windows on both sides. Natural lighting and adequate vents improve productivity without consuming space.

5. Choose Simple Designs

Bold colors, fun patterns, and outlandish artwork can distract even the most dedicated employees. Rather than cause stress and frustration to staff members trying to focus in small groups or independently, choose a neutral design to enhance the office space.

A neutral design features a limited number of colors and patterns and minimizes distractions. After all, it’s difficult to tune out the ostentatious art on the walls when trying to focus on work tasks. A minimalistic aesthetic in the office keeps office staff calm while working and boosts productivity.

Making the most of an office space can be done, even when the office is limited in size. But if you are planning to move your company to a bigger facility or considering downsizing to a smaller one, you’ll need the expertise of the commercial movers at Chicago Office Movers.

Our moving service has a long history of excellence. We’ve moved renowned customers, like Northwestern University and Alcatel Lucent, and we provide the same level of superior customer service to every single customer who schedules a corporate move with us.

The unionized moving crews at Chicago Office Movers are top-notch—trained, licensed, and background-checked—to ensure your peace of mind. We pack and unpack all office goods carefully, whether they are heavy office furniture, delicate artwork, sensitive electronics, IT systems, or fragile equipment.

We load all office items onto our climate-controlled trucks, featuring lift gates and air-ride suspensions, that fully protect your goods. Our customers receive tracking information to monitor the progress of the office relocation. Short- and long-term storage options are also available.

While Chicago Office Movers provides high-quality customer care, our trusted office moving services remain affordable. We proudly help Chicagoland businesses of all sizes relocate with success. Check out our multiple five-star ratings and give us a call today for a free estimate.

Call us at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) for a free estimate regarding our office moving services.