A big part of any office space is creating an environment that leaves a mark on clients and workers alike. First impressions often count before your client sees you; they visit your office. So whether you want to update the look of a dated law office with some new furniture or revamp the entire office space, there are always design steps you can take to achieve a clean and contemporary finished look.
Law firms are typically stressful environments for clients and employees alike; design technology and features can go a long way in creating an excellent experience for all stakeholders. Your designs can take inspiration from trends like an accent wall or involve the understated yet impactful installation of storage facilities to make your team’s workplace as functional as possible.
Here’s Delcoi’s guide to an effective upgrade to any law firm, both stylistically and functionally.
It is no secret that a professional, classic and clean environment is key to the general atmosphere in any law office.
One must not conflate minimalist design with plain and sterile design themes. It is entirely possible to keep things simple while having flare with signature pieces. The goal is to have clients feel relaxed and not overwhelmed when stepping into your law office or waiting area. A space that puts clients at ease inspires confidence and sets the tone for any meeting that ensues.
Minimalist design is lauded for its ability to reduce anxiety and stress levels, so while this trend is popular, it is also practical in the best ways.
Keeping an eye out for elements you can remove instead of adding things is key to minimalist law office design. This is the key to minimalist design in general. Prioritize functional furniture that is not too obstructive to your office layout.
One thing to never overlook when designing law office spaces is the element of light. While artificial light can brighten up your space, it is not always the most conducive form of light for high-pressure environments. Allowing natural light in is an extremely cost-effective way of soothing natural elements while brightening up the office space.
Often, minimalism and natural light go hand in hand, proven to impact mental health positively.
Understanding the importance of natural light is key to any law office design or remodel. The overall mood of the legal workplace stands to shift positively when not shrouded in overly artificial light technologies. In addition, natural light boosts productivity levels.
Allowing for natural light can also significantly boost the overall performance of your company.
Beyond this, large windows and glass walls help create an illusion of space, making your law office look larger than it is. The feeling of space created gives the workplace a quality feeling of relaxation.
If that’s not enough, natural light means you spend less on electricity!
The main focus of any office is often the desk. Here is where we find freedom in minimalist design traditions. Choosing a statement desk as the focal point of the law firm or office is critical to its ability to differentiate itself from the many law firms that may exist around it.
Don’t be shy to add a personal touch to your choice of desk when shopping. For example, a good statement desk can become a great talking piece, putting your clients at ease and making way for great conversational flow when in the office.
As much as a statement desk is critical, never forget the importance of having a tremendous organizational flow! Looking professional at your desk also means investing in tools to give your office design organizational structure.
People tend to be nervous when it comes to embracing modern trends. The thought usually follows the logic that a trendy piece is never an excellent long-term investment. However, the flare that contemporary design can add to your law office has the potential to inspire faith in your clients regarding your competencies as lawyers and associates who are in tune with their surroundings.
Indeed, showing personality in your law office has proven to be a great marketing tool, easing your clients into your environment and even allowing them to stay relevant in the space of social media.
Being able to differentiate yourself from your competition is heavily dependent on contemporary design technology, making you seem better than a run-of-the-mill law office.
While law offices need to highlight your attitude toward cases and clients as serious and professional, there is no need for the atmosphere of the space to be sterile and cold. Contemporary law office design incorporates quality and warm elements to it through furniture and office layout.
Seating
The recent years have come with shifts away from basic office chairs to ones that center comfort. In addition, new technologies in seating pieces have made elements like enormous couches and lounge chairs welcome pieces to any reception area.
Floor
Floor decorations like colorful rugs can add a warm and comforting style to your office space; this trend is one that hits home for plenty of firms.
Adding furniture and ornaments that are seemingly redundant can also go a long way in your firm’s look and attract clients and young attorneys alike.
Lighting
Architects and Interior Designers alike agree that the integration of lighting features in your office space can shift the mood dramatically. Indirect lighting, for instance, is a brilliant way to create a warm and relaxing space.
If you are looking to maintain a classic touch even in a contemporary office, using stock certificates is a surefire way to symbolize the legitimacy and success of your lawyers and attorneys.
Decorating your wall with stock certificates also allows for great conversation with clients, further encouraging their confidence in your success.
Having great office art displayed only accentuates these trendy design elements further.
You will find this design tradition alive and well in any legal workplace. Most corporate companies use this style in their office design. Whether it is used in conference rooms or photocopy rooms, glass walls are highly regarded as critical to creating a better space to work in for the team at large. This is one of the hottest trends in office design that has stood the test of time.
Accountability is key. The transparency of glass walls means all workers in your law firm can hold each other accountable for following the codes of conduct critical to all stakeholders’ well-being.
Using glass walls also allows for an even better scope for natural light. The sense of relaxation this can bring to both private and collaboration spaces is key to the overall atmosphere of the workspace.
Color is key. It is totally okay to add a pop of color even to a minimalist law office.
Law office design does not have to be rigid or one-dimensional. Adding new texture to a wall in the office or painting it a different color can be significant. This may be considered one of the hottest trends in law office design and interior design in general.
Accent walls are also a low-budget way to diversify your law firm design; acknowledging the new economic realities of design work is always essential.
Creating some room for an accent wall in either private offices, conference rooms, or collaborative spaces in general, goes a long way when trying to redesign a law office.
Accent walls must be done tastefully, simply painting just one wall of the walls in a room is more than enough.
Organizational Purpose
Accent walls are also an excellent means of segmenting the offices in law firms. The walls allow for clients, young attorneys, and you to define the use of each room.
Without using installations like furniture or intricate new technologies, an accent way can quickly help compartmentalize a space.
