5 Creative Ways to Spice Up a Boring Office

It's no secret that companies like Google and Pixar have super cool and cutting edge office environments. There are those out there who spend their whole education racking up the credentials just so they can spend a career in a cool ocean-themed cubicle and take breaks in a nap pod, which is probably why trying to get a job at either place is next to impossible. Sure, working at these companies is definitely a sweet gig, but that doesn't mean your job can't be. If your workplace is still rocking beige walls and 1980s cubicles, it's probably time for a change. A dull office environment is not only takes a toll on business and the way customers view it, but it can also attack employee health, causing physical and mental deterioration. Don't let your employees get the Monday blues when they leave the office on Fridays. Here are a few great ways to spice up office life and bring in some fun!

Let Some Light In

We've all seen those commercials for depression meds with the victims sitting in dark rooms ignoring their pets. One has to wonder, perhaps if they opened a window and let some light in, maybe they wouldn't need the meds. Unfortunately, most people don't realize how important light is to the body. Yes, poor lighting can strain the eyes, but it can also leave employees feeling trapped. In an office environment, repetitive menial work coupled with bad lighting is practically a recipe for depressed, unproductive employees. Plentiful natural lighting has been shown to improve outlook and increase productivity in all sorts of environments. Lack of natural light has a negative effect that increases over time, so many people don't even realize it causes depression. If you've got a dull office, one of the best ways to liven things up is by opening a few windows. If that's impossible for whatever reason, amping up the artificial lighting for office use is a good substitute. Just make sure your aren't living in the dark!

Bring the Outside Inside

Believe it or not, a little touch of the outdoors can have a tremendous effect on the appeal of an office space. Not only do a few plants make interiors feel more homey and inviting, but many of them can actually purify the air, improving employee mental health! Some of the prettiest easy-care office plants that do this are aloe vera, chrysanthemum, gerber daisies, and red-edged dracaena. Additionally, colorful, easy-care fishes set on the edges of office desks with glass tops will definitely liven up any space. They have become super popular in recent years. If you're in need of a cute, quiet cubicle friend, beta fish have been known to live comfortably in one gallon bowls with plants to oxygenate the water. However, buying a quiet filter such as an Aquaclear or a Cascade 300, instantly increases your fish options, and you won't have to do much more than feed them twice a day. If you can convince your boss, plants and fish make adorable nonintrusive additions to the workplace that guests are sure to love!

Have Some Fun

Obviously, work is for work, but that doesn't mean you can't have a bit of fun on the job. Sometimes small things like regular games during breaks or lunchtime is a great way to bring employees together as a community. Instead of letting things get stagnant at work, change things up a bit. Have activities going on after work some days that employees or office guests can take part in. A running game of Kill the Stickman or Trashbin Basketball with scores kept on stylish presentation boards for office use can go over the course of several days. They are easy and fun on days when there aren't any meetings and the board isn't in use. Additionally, silly things like "Weird Hat Day" or a day for harmless pranks will bring much needed laughter to a drab workplace, making employees want to do good at their job because they value it. In short, always remember to get your work done, but there's nothing wrong with having fun in your down time!

Change the Walls

One of the biggest signs of a boring workplace is boring walls. If you're employees look like they might be about to grind cheese graters against their foreheads just for a bit of color, its probably time to say goodbye to the boring cubicles and white walls. Not all cool cubicles with modern design are super expensive. Nowadays, cubicles come with designs that offer both privacy and windows to view the world through. If you find functionality of cubicles helpful to your work environment but want a way to bring down the walls, office workstations for multiple users make wonderful alternatives. Finally, tossing a bit of color on the walls or someplace else in the office really brings a room back into the world of the living. Consider adding some artwork for employees to rest their eyes on when the computer light is getting to them. Views of the outdoors are extremely beneficial to those within indoor environments for extended periods of time.

Modernize

The workplace blues aren't only caused by drab looks. Gaudy old office furniture can take tolls on both business perception and employee's physical health. The best way to solve this is to step into the 21st century! Modernization can work wonders for an office if done right, and it doesn't have to cost the boss an arm and a leg. Simply adding mesh back chairs with ergonomics can drastically improve circulation and decrease back pain for users, and the best part about them is the affordable price. Hiring interior designers with specializations in office applications may be one of the best decisions a boss can make for their business. Most office designers are aware of which furniture is the most conducive to a productive, attractive work environment and they won't hesitate to get the best for the best deals.