BE Furniture

  Splitting time between the office and home has become the new norm since the pandemic hit the workforce in 2020. Since then, most companies have adopted hybrid workspaces and strategies for their teams. There are pros and cons to this, but most business owners have come to find that their employees are happier and more productive going from a stricter in-office work schedule to a hybrid workweek. But, how can you make the most of your hybrid workspace this year? Are there areas you can improve on? At BE Furniture, we always believe there is room for growth and improvement, especially when it comes to office space design. In this article, our team will go over hybrid workplace trends you will see more of in 2023.  More Hub-and-Spoke Office Models You’ve heard us talk about hub-and-spoke office location strategy for a few years now but it bears repeating. This hybrid workplace design is ideal for businesses with multiple locations that want to cut down on building operating co...

The reception area is the entrance to your business, and generally, the first impression clients get of your business up close. The longer your clients and visitors are likely to sit here, the more important that the area create a comfortable and enjoyable experience. In 2020, we must add to that, a “safe” experience as well, especially as pertains to your employees. Businesses that rely significantly on a reception area for guests, potential hires, VIPS, and clients, should go the extra mile to ensure waiting and being received is pleasant, safe for all concerned, and says or presents something about your brand. That being understood, there are a number of common elements that make for outstanding reception area’s, even on a limited budget. Here’s a few thoughts from the experts at BE. Invest in a Proper Reception Desk Reception desks are very specific pieces and come in all shapes and sizes from a wide variety of different manufacturers. Reception desks are generall...

Whether you’re a tech start-up, a law firm, a marketing agency or a wellness clinic, you want an elegant office reception area that tells your clients that they’ve come to the right place. Thanks to the collaboration movement and the rise of resimercial design, office reception areas are being transformed from intimidating and unoriginal spaces into creative rooms that can handle the multiple, demanding functions of a business entrance. Here are 3 ways to inject some creative juice into your space, from the c ontemporary office furniture specialists in NJ . Take Down the Walls:  Opening up a space will make it feel more welcoming, spacious, and integrated with your office environment and clients will be impressed by the hive of activity they can glimpse. The natural lighting is ideal for comfort, and you can keep privacy a priority by installing smoked glass walls or architectural glass partition walls where needed. Add Some Flavor:  Your office reception area...

If you take a look around your office, you’ll likely notice that it’s a very different place to a few generations ago. Not only are teams more diverse in terms of gender and ethnicity, but they’re also very diverse in terms of age. In fact, we’re at a point where many organizations will see four different generations in the workplace. Here are some tips from our  contemporary office furniture  on how to help everyone get onto the same team. What are the Four Different Generations All About?  While it’s important not to expect every person from each generation to fit the mold, it’s important to have a good idea of the general characteristics of each generation. Here is a brief summary: Baby Boomers:  This includes people born from 1946 to 1964 and is the first generation to be known for prioritizing their work ethic. Face-to-face interaction is more important than tech, and they’re known for being competitive, driven, and single-minded. Genera...

It’s a well-known fact that office design and layout have a measurable effect on productivity, and that it has to be customized to meet the requirements of organizations on an individual basis in order to be successful. What works for Google isn’t likely to work for a corporate law firm or a call center. However, there’s plenty of inspiration that can be taken from innovative office design concepts – like the 50 feet design concept. Influencing Productivity Through a Single Concept This design concept is driven by a single notion – access to resources. The idea is that factors like wellness, efficiency, agility and collaboration can all be enhanced and prioritized by ensuring that all critical office resources (everything from the copier to team members) are located within 50 feet of the individuals who require them. A good way to visualize this is a honeycomb-shaped floorplan – self-sufficient clusters that, when brought together, form an entire community. 50 Feet –...

Your office reception area is the first impression that new employees, clients and vendors get of your brand, so it’s important to get the layout right. Here are some tips and modern office design ideas from our team. Keep it simple: There’s nothing worse than walking into a reception area and not knowing exactly where you’re meant to go or who you’re supposed to approach. Reduce confusion by having a modern reception desk in clear line of sight from your front door – something bold and eye-catching. Situate chairs and couches near the reception desk so that visitors can easily interact with staff. If it is a large or shared reception area, wayfinding signs are a must-have. Keep it open: A cluttered space causes confusion, especially in a reception area – one of the busiest spaces in your office filled with people who may not be familiar with your building, who are making deliveries, or arriving for meetings. This means that you need clear, wide paths for traffic throu...

Want an office reception area that catches everyone’s eye and shows just how impressive your brand really is? Here are some design insights from our  contemporary office furniture team . Warm and welcoming design:  These days, reception areas are more about welcoming clients, vendors and guests rather than intimidating them, so keep your focus on a design that’s inviting. Warm reds and browns give a cozy look, while light greens and blues feel fresh and serene. This doesn’t mean sacrificing your bold first impression for a home-like look (unless that suits your brand), so don’t be afraid to also make a style statement. Space:  When designing your reception area, freedom of movement is very important. You don’t want your visitors to feel squashed up together, or your receptionist to struggle to take deliveries, or the room to be filled up with large and bulky pieces of furniture. When you plan out your design, measure up the different key items in the layout and ma...

You walk through your office reception area every day and probably take very little notice of it – but what impression do first-time visitors, clients and prospective employees see when they walk in? Here are some insights from the specialists in  modern reception desks  and modern office design ideas. The Professional Office Reception Area  If you’re in the financial services, legal or medical industry, you want to give your visitors the impression that you’re successful, organized, authoritative and efficient. Your reception area can achieve this with the following look: Uncluttered, clean and open space Subtle but clear brand presence Comfortable but robust/heavy furniture of a classic style Statement artwork Coffee and tea service Stylish but muted color scheme The Creative Office Reception Area  If you’re selling creative services like marketing, advertising or interior design, you want your reception area to make an impact with your c...

Organizational agility is key to remaining competitive in a changing world, allowing businesses to adapt and succeed in a challenging environment. This is what world business leaders believe are the most common factors standing in the way of businesses seeking to achieve their optimal agility. A study by Ricoh Europe revealed that 39% of 2,140 business leaders believed regulation was the biggest issue impacting on business agility, followed by lack of investment in innovative new technologies at 37%, and rigid, traditional workplace cultures at 35%. Interestingly, very few – only 33% – of the business leaders interviewed in the study had implemented changes designed to create and support a more agile working environment in their own companies. Instead, they favor the adoption of digital workflows to improve data analytics, management processes, and financial processes instead – seeking to spot new trends and opportunities through smarter data usage. Trademarks of an Agile Or...

If your offices and office reception area is feeling a little tired and uninspiring, there’s a lot you can do to improve it – even if you don’t have the budget for a big remodel. Here are some easy, affordable  modern office ideas  to freshen up your space. Add some green:  Plants add life to an office, quite literally. They’re inexpensive and, if you choose the right plants, easy to maintain. They are also great for improving employee wellbeing by filtering air, reducing stress and boosting moods. Good plants for office spaces include snake plants, ficus, aloes (for sunny offices), orchids, and peace lilies. Be sure to check the plants light and water needs so you place them in the right areas of your office and, if you don’t want the hassle of caring for them yourself, there are companies who will supply and maintain office plants for you. Upgrade your lighting:  If the mood and productivity at your office is low, your lights may be to blame. Poor lighting...

Amazon is the world’s biggest retailer, so it’s no surprise that cities are clamoring to have the new headquarters located in their own backyard. The giant will bring in over 50,000 jobs, investing $5 billion in the construction project and growing in time to equal the status of the Seattle HQ. Here’s some insight into the bidding war. Amazon’s requirements  Only certain cities in the USA and Canada will be able to qualify to make a formal bid, but these restrictions are fairly minimal and include that the city has at least a million residents, an international airport, and a stable, business-friendly environment. These generous terms have led to a huge list of over 238 contenders. Which cities are leading the fight to be Amazon’s next HQ?  Major players in the bidding war stretch far and wide, and include: Boston – With its home-grown talent, transit and great real estate. Atlanta – Focusing on its location as an international air transit hub, affordable hous...