Now more than ever, businesses are embracing and strengthening their remote capabilities. Although working remotely saves money and allows for more employee flexibility, offices still have a critical role to play in the world of work. Face-to-face meetings are still very necessary when it comes to strengthening employee relationships, improving productivity, supporting job satisfaction, and much more. Here are some of the key reasons why we’ll always need great office spaces, from our team at BE Furniture.

#1 – Focused, Quiet Space for Work

As most of us found out over the last year or so, there are plenty of distractions at home! Whether it’s noise from your kids or neighbors, chores, pets, the TV, or your partner, it can be challenging to get a quiet moment to hold a meeting or get properly focused on your work. Every time you start a meeting or settle down, a nearby leaf blower roars into action, all the dogs start barking, and a teenager starts blasting music. It’s very difficult (if not impossible) to manage these distractions at home, and that can make the office a sanctuary for anyone on a busy day.

#2 – Easier to Network and Bond

A lot of people prefer face-to-face interaction over a video or voice call, which can be quite stressful in a psychological sense. Video calls require more mental processing, involve very intense eye contact with multiple people – even yourself – and impacts our mobility. Researchers have even found a name for this issue – Zoom fatigue. These chats are also still very formal when compared to conversations that happen organically in the workplace, where you can walk into your manager’s office during open-door hours, catch up at lunch or the water cooler, or just share a quick conversation with a colleague. As informal as these interactions are, they are critical for bonding with team members, getting insight from superiors, and receiving mentoring.

#3 – Greater Engagement

While working from home, many people feel isolated and out of the loop. Without daily interaction at the office, people may feel unappreciated and uninvolved in the business, increasing risks of demotivation and disengagement. It’s not only more likely that employees feel disengaged when working fully remotely, but also more difficult for managers and team leaders to provide employee recognition, spot signs of disengagement, and act effectively to correct it.

#4 – Improved Communication and Collaboration

We collaborate, communicate, and work together far more effectively when we’re in the same physical space. Thus, making offices a necessary element for any business seeking to innovate and grow. By having spaces filled with collaborative office furniture where people can work together, employees have easy access to each other and to any tools and technologies that they need to reach their collaborative goals. We’re not saying that collaboration isn’t possible in remote working, but it certainly is more effortless when we’re all together in the same space!

#5 – Reduced Technology Issues

When working from home, every meeting starts with someone trying to figure out if everyone is there, and if anyone can hear or see them. And if the connection isn’t optimal or the settings incorrect, it’s common to have a person disconnect from the meeting and then struggle to get back in. Those are frustrating issues you just won’t have to deal with in an office! When in an important meeting with a client, hosting a board meeting, running interviews, or working on a project, the last thing you want is tech problems – and that means having a functional office space.

Remote working is certainly effective for many employees and businesses, but there are so many advantages to having a balance between flexible remote working and functional office space. When considering your options, it’s important to look at working in an office vs working remotely, and the pros and cons of each for your business.

At BE Furniture, we work to design and deliver office spaces that give you the best of both worlds, helping you leverage office design to support your employees to give their best every day. Contact us today to find out more about our collaborative office design services in NJ or visit our website at: https://www.befurniture.com/

Originally posted at: https://www.befurniture.com/5-reasons-your-business-should-not-go-fully-remote/

Creatures of habit may avoid adding colors to their wardrobe, never mind when it comes to designing their new office space! However, the right color may be just what you need to support effective employee retention, productivity, and comfort. There is proven psychology behind this, and many studies have shown that tapping into color psychology can not only improve your employees’ job satisfaction but can also positively impact how clients and visitors perceive your business. In this article, the team at BE Furniture will discuss different color options, their psychology, and how you can incorporate them into your office design.

Blue – Competence, Productivity, Reliability

Blue color schemes are well-known for creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere, helping the mind stay stable and focused on the task at hand. Bright blues will introduce an aspect of boldness, innovation, and energy, while softer blues promote a more subtle and gentle sense of tranquility. Adding bold blues to a collaborative space would be a good choice for supporting strong communication during brainstorming sessions, while softer grey blues are well-suited for focused, task-based work like research, reporting and data entry.

Green – Nature, Life, and Serenity

Understandably, green is deeply associated with the natural world, giving us a link to nature, open spaces, and the world beyond our cities and towns. For this reason, it’s an important color in biophilic design, a wellness-driven design concept that aims to support mental and physical health through natural elements in the workplace. Of course, it’s also about the shade of green you choose. Deep forest greens and sage greens ease stress and feel peaceful, while bright lime greens inspire creativity, new ideas, and growth. Workspaces, relaxation areas, and receptions are well-suited to soft and natural greens, while collaborative spaces can benefit from brighter shades.

Yellow – Bright, Positive Energy

Yellow represents the bright optimism of a new day, with all shades offering a sense of positivity and renewal. This makes it a great color for creative spaces like meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, marketing agencies, designers, and developers. A warm and buttery yellow or ochre gives the space a more grounded, earthy feel, while brighter lemon yellows feel vibrant and fresh.

Red – Bold, Agile, and Conquering

Nothing stands out quite like red. Rich, vibrant and eye-catching, it’s a color that draws attention like no other. Red is widely used in high-energy spaces like gyms because of its psychological effect on the mind and body. It wakes us up, increases our heart rate and blood flow, and even boosts appetite. Whether it’s a bright cherry red or a rich burgundy, reds should be used in spaces of action and high traffic, and where confidence is key, like cafeterias, hallways, and conference rooms.

White and Neutrals – Space, Light, and Cohesiveness

White and neutrals will never go out of style in office color trends, but they do need to be used carefully to avoid becoming boring. These colors work to open up a space, complement other colors and prevent them from becoming overwhelming and help showcase key elements of your design. A living wall of plants, for example, will look striking against a white wall, using a soft grey can help balance the energy of a bold yellow wall, and neutral furnishings will help reflect light through the space.

As you can see, getting the most out of office color psychology is just as much about the colors you choose as to how and where you use them. Because of their impact, color should be an integral part of office space design and considered as carefully as your furnishings and layout. That’s where our office design and fit-out specialists come in, offering expertise and creativity to make your office space more functional, more enjoyable, and more effective. Talk to us today to find out more about our office space design services in NJ, or visit our website at: https://www.befurniture.com/

Originally posted at: https://www.befurniture.com/office-color-psychology-which-colors-are-best-for-your-office/

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s to be more proactive when it comes to protecting our health and the health of those around us. This is even more important for a business owner who wants to ensure a safe, clean, and healthy space for their employees. One of the best ways to protect those in your workspace is through air purification systems. Without an effective air purification system, viruses, allergens, and harmful bacteria can be circulated through the air repeatedly. Here’s more insight into how office air purifiers work, and options for your post-COVID workplace.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Rather than adding particles to the air the way diffusers and humidifiers do, office air purifiers remove them. They do this in two ways – by filtering the air and by sanitizing it.

• Filtration – Good-quality office air purifiers have very effective, fine air filters to trap dust, pollutants, bacteria, and other particles in the air as the machine pulls it through the system. When looking for an air purifier, the best results will come from a system with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, as these capture the widest range of particles – even gasses and smoke.
• Sanitizing – Purifiers can further sanitize the air with an additional carbon filter that eliminates smells and toxins (for example, harmful paint fumes or formaldehyde).

Advanced Air Purification Systems for Offices

Air purification is especially challenging in office spaces because:

• Spaces are shared or open plan, so there are more people exposed to the same air quality
• Many offices do not allow for free airflow from the outside, making air conditioning systems the only source of fresh air
• External air in locations where offices are placed may not be of good quality due to an urban or industrial environment, vehicle emissions, or noise

In these spaces, especially with the lessons we’ve learned from COVID-19, we know it is absolutely critical to purify and sanitize the air. Not only does this help to protect people from the spread of germs and viruses, but it also helps prevent health issues associated with poor quality air, including asthma, allergies, headaches, and Sick Building Syndrome.

Healthy Air Makes a Happy Workplace

Clean, fresh, and sanitized air helps create a more productive and healthier workplace, helping to reduce absenteeism, prevent health conditions that slow productivity, and support overall wellness.

At BE Furniture, we know that when a business shows its support for employees by making the workplace healthier, great results are sure to follow. That’s why we recommend that air purification systems should be considered in your office remodel or fit-out.

Through our long-time distribution partner Dyson, BE Furniture can provide and install a wide range of state-of-the-art Dyson office air purifiers to help enhance the health and safety of your office. There’s a model for every size office and budget, with some models also providing heating, cooling, and humidification features. These are quiet-run systems that gently disperse freshly sanitized air through your space without being noisy, and models can be controlled remotely through Dyson Link smartphone apps. Talk to our team today if you’d like to find out more or visit our website at: https://www.befurniture.com

Originally posted at: https://www.befurniture.com/the-importance-of-air-purification-in-the-office/

Not only are green walls a beautiful and natural design element for your office, but they also help support wellness, stress relief, and productivity. Innovative companies around the world are using these in commercial interior design to bring the outdoors in and promote a healthier workspace for all. In this article, our team will discuss all the green, health, and design benefits of green walls and how you can incorporate this new trend into your current office design layout.

Why are Green Walls Trending?

Introducing living and natural elements into the workplace is called biophilic design, which includes things like maximizing natural lighting, purifying airflow, and introducing plant life through green walls and gardens. Think about how getting back into nature makes you feel refreshed, re-energized, and restored – well, that’s what designers are trying to introduce into the workplace to balance out the stress, hustle, and bustle of working life. However, there are several other benefits that you should be aware of:

• Employee demand – With 87% of workers wanting employers to provide a healthier workplace (according to the Well Building Standard), it makes sense to introduce biophilic elements like green walls as part of your strategy to attract and retain talent. It’s a striking visual effect that shows employees that wellness is a key value in your workplace.
• Improves wellness building metrics – LEED, the Well Building Standard, and other standards are popular for measuring the wellness of your office space. Getting this accreditation is essential for any business looking to capitalize on their sustainability stance, and green walls cover several important areas including water efficiency, innovation in design, energy, and atmosphere.
• Improves productivity – Green spaces are productive spaces, with plants directly impacting concentration, energy levels, and engagement. To make an impact, you need more than a simple orchid on a desk (although every bit of green helps), and that’s where plant walls can be a game-changer.
• Improves air quality – Plants are natural air filtration machines, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, and filtering out pollutants and dust. Plant walls are very efficient at this and have the added benefits of controlling a comfortable level of humidity and adding a subtle scent to the air. This eases breathing, keeps skin comfortable, and prevents poor air quality that can trigger asthma, headaches, and sore throats.
• Saves money – A green wall is affordable to install and when cared for properly, can last a lifetime. By controlling humidity, cleaning the air, helping to keep the temperature at a consistent and comfortable level, and adjusting naturally to the seasons to maintain the office climate, offices can save on costs for air conditioning and air purification.

How to Incorporate Green Walls into Your Office Design

Green walls allow you to get quite creative with your office design! Some of the most striking and functional ways to incorporate this design include:

• Feature walls – Behind your reception desk, along the side of an informal meeting or break room space, or as a backdrop that catches the eye as you walk into an open plan space.
• Columns – Green walls can be attached to structural pillars and columns, spreading the walls across a space, and turning these functional elements into living art.
• External walls – Outdoor office walls can also be transformed with greenery, softly filtering light into interior rooms, enhancing an outdoor break space, or becoming a feature of your retail or office front entrance.

Go Green with BE Furniture

BE Furniture is a team of New Jersey-based office design specialists focused on making innovative designs come to life. With a sustainable and modern approach to office design, we work one-on-one with you to create a functional and exceptional space that reflects your values as a business. To find out more about our green office design services and products, call us today or visit our website at: https://www.befurniture.com/

Originally posted at: https://www.befurniture.com/green-walls-in-the-office-benefits-and-design-options/

It’s very common for rented commercial spaces to require renovation work before they’re ready for new occupancy. These renovations can be as big and impressive as you like, and the changes can add personality as well as functionality to your workplace. However, we’re sure there’s one specific worry that comes to mind when taking on an office buildout project: cost. Who will pay for the commercial office build-out? Is it your responsibility in full or does the landlord cover some or all the cost? In this article, the team at BE Builds will go over different types of build-out agreements and how they’re typically negotiated between parties.

The Most Common Ways to Pay for a Commercial Office Build-Out

Usually, landlords and tenants will negotiate who pays for office build-out costs during the lease process. This gives both parties a clear idea of what each party is responsible for and ensures both you and the landlord are legally held to this agreement. The most common agreements include:

1. Standard build-out allowance – This is a pre-packaged set of improvements that the landlord will provide for the tenant. It’s usually standard improvements and changes that are applicable to most businesses, like painting the space out with colors of your choice, different types of flooring, and so forth. The tenant is usually responsible for improvements outside what is specified in the package.
2. Turnkey office build-out – In class B or class C buildings, landlords often offer turnkey build-out packages that are tailored to what the tenant needs. This is because these buildings tend to be more affordable to lease but do require some upgrading to be fully functional. Tenants benefit from the affordability and the ability to build-out the office the way they want it without having to make a big capital outlay. In these cases, tenants usually only have to pay for costs like office furniture or interior décor.
3. Rent concession – To make an office build-out more affordable for the landlord and to assist the tenant in getting the space they need, some landlords offer a rent abatement, a discount on rent, or even staying in the space rent free for a set period. Leases can also be extended beyond their expiration date to recapture money spent on office upgrades.

The important thing to remember is that everything is negotiable to a point. Landlords want to rent their space out and businesses want workable spaces, so custom agreements can be negotiated to satisfy both parties.

What Affects Office Build-Out Costs?

You can make your negotiation process easier and more rewarding by understanding the costs involved and knowing which areas are more negotiable than others.

1. Tenant requirements – A doctor’s office or music studio is going to require more specialized and expensive upgrades than a standard office space for a small logistics company or creative firm.
2. Condition of the property – An office in a class C building will likely need more extensive and expensive upgrades than a newer or renovated class B or class A building. This can include insulation, HVAC, lighting, tech infrastructure, and much more.
3. Materials and labor – The quality of the materials you choose and the construction partner you use will have a clear impact on office build-out costs. Getting multiple bids and using an established construction partner with a good supply network can help bring these costs down and get you more upgrades for your budget.

When negotiating, remember that it’s a process where both parties need to win. Use the best aspects of your business, from your good credit and tenant record to your willingness to sign a longer lease to help make your case. You can also offer to manage the build-out and use a team that you source if a landlord doesn’t want the hassle of managing the project themselves. This is especially effective if you need a more specialist space in which you operate.

Build Your Future with Office Construction and Design Specialists in NJ

At BE Builds, we have worked for decades with businesses in New York and New Jersey across all sectors, helping make their dream office spaces a reality.

We know the importance of understanding what your business wants to achieve with their office space, from the work you do and the people you employ to the environmental and sustainability measures you want to support.

Contact us today or visit our website to find out more about our state-of-the-art office design and construction services at: https://bebuilds.com/

Creating a new commercial building for your business is a big decision. Building your own office from the ground up requires a great deal of planning, organizing, and budgeting. To ensure that the office construction process is a success, there are key tips you should follow. The New Jersey office construction team at BE Builds has put them all together for you in this article.

#1 – Set Out Your Financing Strategy

Before you take any other action, it’s essential to understand the costs involved with the project and evaluate the different available financing options. Commercial buildings are a significant investment and the cash flow of your business needs to be preserved and maintained throughout each stage of this process. It’s important to understand the different lending options that are available and how much lenders are prepared to offer your business to see if the project is viable or not, to plan the construction timeline, and to find a good deal.

#2 – Find a Building Design Partner

You have a vision for what you want your office space to be, and a building design specialist has the skills to make that vision a reality. In addition to drawing up plans and blueprints, they also have the expertise to ensure the project and building is up to code, that all the correct permits are in place, that the budget is on track, and that all contractors are on-site and properly coordinated throughout the building process.

#3 – Source a Reliable Construction Team

With such an important project, you need people who know exactly what they are doing – and that means getting a great team of contractors. They should be experienced in commercial building projects, be fully licensed for the state in which the project will take place, and be fully insured for your security. Take your time to research different contracting firms and get multiple bids. It’s the best way to find a team that understands what you want to achieve, has the right network to leverage, and will go the extra mile to make sure things are completed on time, on budget, and to a high standard.

#4 – Plan for Setbacks

Construction projects are notorious for setbacks, so it’s important to have a strategy to manage this risk built into your plans. Bad weather, a supply chain issue, minor changes to building designs, or even a contractor falling ill can derail the best-laid plans. To help minimize these delays, it’s a good idea to work contingencies into your budget and plan, creating a level of flexibility in the schedule itself that helps to keep the project moving forward even if delays occur.

#5 – Plan for Building Material Cost Fluctuations

Building materials fluctuate in cost based on supply and demand. This can be affected by seasonal issues, natural disasters, or even how many construction projects are happening in your area. These fluctuations are very challenging to predict but adding a contingency to your budget based on typical cost overruns is a good way to manage this challenge and create a safety net. It also helps prevent situations where you have to make trade-offs that will negatively impact the final result, such as downgrading the quality of materials or reducing the scope of the project.

In a worst-case scenario, all or a portion of the price increase will be easy to manage, and in the best-case scenario, you come out under budget. Typically, a contingency of 5-10% of the total budget is recommended.

#6 – Keep Detailed Records

Commercial construction projects are very complex, with plenty of moving parts to manage. It’s also a very busy process where you’ll be called on to make hundreds of decisions, large and small, over a period of months. The only way to keep track of everything and protect your interests properly is to have accurate records. Not only will this help smooth the process of ordering materials, paying contractors, and staying on budget, it’s also important for your organization’s accounting processes, tax information, and asset management processes.

#7 – Think Outside the Building

The building is the main focal point of this investment, but it needs a few important extras to make your vision come to life. To make your building fully functional and in line with your brand, be sure to budget for interior design, workstations, built-in technology, office furniture, as well as external landscaping. This will bring your project together, make it a hive of productivity, and settle your business in its new space. It’s what turns a building into a business.

Inclusive Services for Bespoke Commercial Office Buildings

BE Builds is an established leader in innovative commercial office construction services, taking you from design and building to completion through our multidisciplinary team. We know your business is unique, so we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach – instead, we create and deliver custom office designs that work for your business, industry, and budget. To find out more about our interior office construction and design services, contact us today at: https://bebuilds.com/