Office Space - Millennium Storage and Interiors Blog | Millennium Storage and Interiors

Category: Office Space (page 2 of 4)

How To Keep Your Warehouse Clean

Top tips on how to keep your warehouse clean and safe

Keep an updated cleaning schedule.
Clear your bins regularly. Bins should never get to the point of overflowing.
Have cleaning supplies available for your staff at all times.
Give employees areas to keep clean.
Clean as you go, ensure everyone tidies up after themselves. It is highly recommended that your staff clean litter such as metal shavings as they work maintaining the standard set by your firm and keeping the area hazard free.
Recycle the rubbish that you can.
Provide staff with the correct safety equipment.
Barriers – there are a range of barriers you can get for your warehouse to ensure complete safety of your staff members and keep restricted access to vehicles such as forklifts. This not only keeps your warehouse cleaner, but also ensures organisation.
Label shelving and floors to ensure your staff know where everything is located.

Self Isolating? Home Office Ideas

March 10, 2020 / admin / 0 Comments

Latest official government guidelines say those who can should be working from home, for the foreseeable while the outbreak of coronavirus settles down.

We have turned our thoughts to making our home office space work more efficiently, because we might there for a while.

Creating a dedicated office space in your home is often tricky unless you have a spare room in which to get organised and away from the children. But regardless of whether your space is large or small, organisation is key and that’s where the best home office storage ideas come in handy. So take a look at Millennium SI’s top tips to get you started.

Repurpose where possible

We’re probably not exactly in a state of mind to pop to Ryman or WHSmith to find desk organisers right now, but we still have storage needs? How about fining an alternative use for all the extra tin cans we’ve amassed as a result of the recent news.

Simply wash out your tin cans after use and use them as cost-effect savvy storage solution. Ensure there no sharp edges of course. Ideal if you have never needed to work form home and suddenly find yourself with a makeshift office.

Repurpose a chest of drawers for a printer

Just because you have to have this bulky office gadget handy to get the job done, doesn’t mean it as to impose on your decor. By removing the bottom drawer from a chest of drawers you have the perfect stylish space to house a printer. For an extra decorative touch you can change the legs on the chest, to offer a less ‘officey’ look.

Use garden-centre buys inside

A trellis makes a brilliant noticeboard, even though its intended purpose was to support plants. Plant pots can be used to contain plants that will stimulate creativity. Or they can be handy containers for pens, art materials – even your phone.

Go pro with matching furniture

Coordinating pieces like this desk and bookcase say ‘executive’, as well as offering plentiful storage. The trick here is not to put your desk against the wall. Instead, place it in the middle of the room and voila – you’ve made space for a bookcase. For a pop of colour (and fun) choose a large-scale rug with a quirky print.

For more information and what you can do with your office space, contact us today!

How to design a disability-friendly office

February 17, 2020 / admin / 0 Comments

An all-inclusive, disability-friendly office design creates a safer, more comfortable and welcoming work environment for all, including disabled employees and visitors to your business.

By law, all businesses should provide an all-inclusive workspace that facilitates a safe and comfortable work environment for all employees, including disabled individuals.

As well as looking after employees by helping them to feel more valued and comfortable, a disability-friendly office design attracts a more diverse workforce and a wider pool of candidates, helping your business to attract more top talent.

Whilst some disabled employees may require specialist equipment, most disabled employees’ requirements can be met by simply taking accessibility into consideration when designing your office.

Here are some key features of inclusive, disability-friendly office design.

Accessible sockets
Adjustable desks
Cable management
Low lever door handles
Low flat panel light switches
Wide doorways and hallways
Task lighting
Quiet workspaces
Computer monitor arms
Large-print equipment controls
Use of ramps instead of stairs where suitable
Climate control

Whilst these design features are all disability-friendly, many of them will make your office a safer and more comfortable workspace for everyone.

Space should be a key consideration when designing a disability-friendly workspace, ensuring that there is always enough room for a wheelchair to manoeuvre.

All trip hazards and obstructions should be removed and tidied away, especially trailing wires and cables. Cable management systems are effective for keeping cables neat and safe.

Inclusive office design by Millennium Storage

Here at Millennium Storage and Interiors we provide office refurbishments and new builds to businesses of all different shapes and sizes. We design practical and inspiring office spaces that find the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality.

Our designs are practical for all employees, with accessibility and inclusivity always a key consideration in our design process.

For help or advice with designing a disability-friendly office, or to book a free consultation with our team, give us a call on 01942 603 344.

Office design trends for 2020

January 15, 2020 / admin / 0 Comments

The dawn of the new decade is a good time to give your outdated office interior a makeover.

Here at Millennium Storage and Interiors we expect 2020 to see the rise of eco-friendly, multi-functional office interiors.

Offices are no longer sterile white environments, instead, businesses are seeking sustainable and environmentally-conscious designs that prioritise employee wellbeing as well as productivity.

Here are our top four office design trend predictions for 2020.

Environmentally friendly

Businesses are becoming more conscious about the environmental impact of the materials and products used in their office interiors. In 2020, we expect to see a surge in businesses requesting office interiors that incorporate recyclable and natural materials and practical and cost-effective energy-efficient products and designs.

Privacy

Open plan offices have had their day, and in 2020 we’re expecting to see more businesses embracing office interiors that offer employees quiet and private spaces to work in. Over recent years, numerous studies have found that open plan offices can have a negative effect on both employee productivity and wellbeing as they tend to create a lot of noise and can be very distracting and stressful. Office partitioning, pods, and booths are all expected to make a comeback this year.

Collaborative spaces

Whilst employees often perform better and feel more relaxed when given their own private space to work in, collaborative workspaces that encourage communication and idea sharing are also very important in the workplace. Formal meeting rooms, cosy huddle rooms, and trendy break-out spaces all allow employees the space they need to share ideas, inspire each other, and interact socially when they need it.

Bold colours

In 2020 we’re expecting to see more businesses opting for bold and clashing colours to create daring and contemporary interiors.

For help or advice regarding your office design, speak to our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors about our office refurbishment services by giving our team a call on 01942 603 344.

Common warehouse hazards and how to avoid them

October 15, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Safety tips for overcoming common warehouse hazards.

The average warehouse can be littered with potential hazards, including heavy loads, dangerous equipment and machinery.

Use the tips in this blog to help you to identify and minimise hazards to create a safer work environment.

Falls, slips and trips

Failure to keep a warehouse organised, tidy and clean can lead to dangerous slips, trips and falls.

Proper storage and organisation of products, machinery and equipment should always be adhered to.
Debris should be cleared up immediately and never left on the ground.
Any spills should be cleaned up immediately.
Aisles and passageways should always be kept unobstructed.

Falling objects

Objects falling from racking or machinery can cause significant damage and injury.

Items should be stacked carefully and evenly with maximum loads always being adhered to.
Heavier loads should be stacked lower down, with lighter loads stacked on higher shelves.
Racking and shelves should be inspected regularly to ensure they are in good condition.

Strain injuries

Warehouse employees are at risk of suffering injury if they are frequently lifting and carrying heavy or bulky items or performing repetitive actions.

Employees should all receive adequate training in how to correctly lift and carry heavy items to avoid injury.
Employees should be provided with machinery and equipment to relieve the strain of repetitive or strenuous tasks.

Forklift injuries

Employees tasked with operating or working with forklifts are at risk of being pinned by a forklift or hit by falling items if they do not adhere to proper health and safety procedures.

Warning signs should be clearly displayed to warn people of potential danger zones.
Only employees that have completed the relevant training should access and operate forklifts.
Forklift equipment should be regularly inspected for signs of damage.

Hazardous materials

If your warehouse uses or stores hazardous chemicals, strict health and safety procedures should be adhered to to reduce employee exposure and prevent accidents occurring.

Only employees who have complete appropriate chemical handling training should work with hazardous materials.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should always be worn when handling hazardous substances.

Arrange a warehouse safety inspection from our team of qualified personnel by giving us a call on 01942 603 344.

Is the colour of your office affecting employee productivity?

August 20, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Colours can affect our emotions and influence our actions, so you should select the colour scheme for your office carefully.

Have you considered that the colour of your workplace could be influencing the mood, wellbeing, and subsequently, your employees’ performance?

Your office’s colour palette sets the tone for the mood within your office. A bright and colourful environment can stimulate and energise the mind, inspiring creativity. Whilst cool and muted colours can create a calm and peaceful environment.

Research into the psychology of colours has shown that different colours can elicit particular emotions and behaviours within us.

Consult our guide to the psychology of colours below to discover how your office is making employees feel and which colour you should paint the walls next.

Blue– When used in moderation within a professional environment, blue is said to be a stable and calming colour that encourages productivity.

Red– If you want to motivate and energise employees then red is an excellent colour to add to your interior’s palette. Red is said to create a dynamic atmosphere and can help employees to work more efficiently.

Green– Green is a calming colour that we associate with nature.

Yellow– Yellow is an uplifting and positive colour that can encourage creativity.

Purple– If you want to create a calm and thoughtful zone, then purple and violet can be excellent colours for encouraging spirituality and creativity.

Rather than going overboard with any of these colours, its best to introduce them to the office in muted tones or splashes of colour.

Why not use colours that reflect the different actions and behaviours you want employees to show in different zones within your workplace.

Need help designing an office interior that will motivate employees? Speak to our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by giving us a call on 01942 603 344.

Why natural light should be a key office design consideration

July 20, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Design your workplace for happy, healthy and productive employees by simply maximising natural light in your office.

Forget office slides, treadmills and artificial grass, the one simple thing your employees can’t do without at work is natural light.

Natural light and employee health and wellbeing

Natural light is important for our health and wellbeing. When deprived of it for long periods, many people will suffer from disrupted sleep, low moods and fatigue.

Getting enough natural light during the day is important for regulating our circadian rhythm, which impacts our sleep patterns. One studyeven found that people exposed to plenty of natural light at work slept on average 46 minutes longer than those who worked in windowless offices.

Natural light helps to improve sleep and lower stress levels to create a rested and happy workforce.

Natural light and productivity

As well as benefiting employees, business owners also reap the rewards of an office flooded with natural light.

A recent studyfound that employees exposed to plenty of natural light at work are up to 20% more productive than those deprived of it, so natural light will benefit your bottom line too.

Office design and natural light

Use these tips to maximise the natural light in your office or speak to an experienced office design company like our team here at Millennium Storage and Interiors.

Arrange furniture with natural light in mind– Take the location of windows into consideration when arranging office furniture. Avoid obstructing windows or putting desks behind furniture, instead, ensure all desks are positioned to receive maximum natural light.

Use glass partitioning – If your office currently uses solid office partitions, consider switching to contemporary glass partitions to allow natural light to flow freely through the space.

Window size– If your windows are very small or old, it is worth considering updating your office windows, the more windows the better.

For help and advice designing your office for more natural light,get in touch with our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by giving us a call on 01942 603 344.

Open plan or office partitioning: which is better?

June 20, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Your office design and layout can have a big effect on employee wellbeing, productivity and efficiency.

Office design plays a large part in your business’ culture and success, so it’s worth taking the time to weigh up the pros and cons of the design options available before you decide which is best suited to your team and space.

Open plan offices

Open plan offices tend to be light and airy as there are no walls or cubicles between workspaces, which many people find motivating and energising.

Open plan offices encourage communication, which is great for collaborative work and getting to know each other.

On the downside, employee productivity can decrease in open plan environments for a couple of reasons. Some employees may find open plan environments distracting and stressful, and a lot of time may be wasted on conversations that are not work-related.

Partitioned offices

Partitioned offices give everyone their own individual workspace away from distraction. Office partitioningpromotes a quiet and relaxing environment that is good for concentration and increases employee productivity.

Whilst some employees thrive in partitioned offices, other individuals may find the lack of social interaction demotivating.

Many businesses find that glass office partitioning is an excellent compromise, as it allows employees to have their own private workspace whilst still letting plenty of light flow freely through the office. Glass partitioning can also feel less claustrophobic, particularly in a small office space.

The type of office design that is suitable for your business will depend on the work being carried out, the amount of collaborative work required, and the personalities that you employ.

Some businesses find that the best way forward is to employ a mixture of both partitioned areas and more open plan break out areas to give employees the best of both worlds.

For help and advice choosing the right office designfor your business, get in touch with our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by giving us a call on 01942 603 344.

Benefits of glass office partitioning

June 6, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

Choose glass office partitions to enjoy the visual appeal of a bright and spacious open plan design, whilst simultaneously sectioning off and dividing your space for maximum productivity.

More and more businesses are now choosing to update their office design with functional and attractive glass partitioning. Here are just five of the key benefits of glass office partitions.

Aesthetically pleasing

Switching from traditional partitioning to glass partitioning can completely makeover an office to give it a swish, new, contemporary feel. Glass partitioning looks modern and attractive, creating a great first impression and boosting employee wellbeing and productivity.

Free-flowing light

One major benefit of glass partitioning is that it allows natural light to flow freely through the office. Natural light is extremely important to our health and wellbeing, and healthy employees are happy and motivated employees. Letting in lots of natural light also reduces the need for artificial lights, reducing your business’ electricity bill.

Divided but not alone

Glass partitioning is used to create clearly defined areas and workspaces in your office without isolating people. Employees can benefit from their own individual workspaces whilst also enjoying a clear view of the office, preventing them from feeling segregated.

Reduce noise

Whilst employees can still see each other, glass partitions make it more difficult to partake in idle chitchat, helping to improve concentration and productivity. They also offer effective sound insulation, providing employees with a peaceful and relaxing work environment.

The illusion of more space

Solid partitions can sometimes feel claustrophobic, particularly in an office that is already very small. Using glass partitions allows you to create clear sections and spaces within your office without making it feel enclosed or cramped.

For more information about glass office partitioning, get in touch with our team of experts here at Millennium Storage and Interiors by giving us a call on 01942 603344.

Benefits of Suspended Ceilings

December 6, 2018 / admin / 0 Comments

Suspended ceilings aren’t just for hotels, they can be equally beneficial in all sorts of buildings including homes and offices.

Suspended ceilings may seem like a recent innovation but they have actually been around for a very long time. There is evidence of their use in this country from the 16th century in fact.

The suspended ceilings we see today have come a long way since then and offer a variety of benefits depending on where they are installed.

One of the key attractions of suspended ceilings are the way they can enhance a building. Installing one will completely change the look of a room. Not only will a suspended ceiling make a feature of an existing ceiling but it is also makes it possible to install lighting in new and creative ways.

Another benefit is affordability. If you want to make a significant change to your rooms and ceiling heights allow for this, this can be an excellent and cost-effective way to make a space feel homelier and inviting.

Lastly, a suspended ceiling acts as great sound insulation from above. This is why you will often see them in office and apartment blocks where insulating against sound from above can be difficult and expensive.