Once more, we find ourselves at the end of another year. As we prepare for the holiday season and celebrate (or simply meditate on) another 12 months gone by, it’s also time to look forward to what the New Year might bring. Let’s face it: all offices – no matter how young, or shiny, or hi-tech – always have something to improve on. And what better time to make these necessary changes than the start of a new year? To help with your design resolutions for 2018, we’ve put together our top 5 resolutions, together with a suite of selected Krost products that can help make these into a reality.

1. Have a Makeover

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time for a fresh new look, and the office is no exception. The latest in commercial furniture sees a return to clean, crisp design lines and a contemporary colour palette that marries functionality with style.

Designed with today’s open plan office and tomorrow’s evolving workplace in mind, Krost’s Keywork is a high performance workstation that doubles as a striking design feature. Grounded by bold tubular steel splayed legs and easily adjusted to suit the needs of any team, Keywork provides a flexible, uncluttered workspace. A 25mm height adjustment in legs is paired with a fully integrated cable management for tidy tech, while Trak rail and accessories can be added to provide storage, acoustic and privacy controls, and monitor arms. 

2. Make the office greener

While we’re talking about user wellbeing, did you know that greenery in the office is linked to happier, more productive workers? According to a study by the University of Exeter and published by Reuters, potted plants can increase worker productivity by as much as 15 percent. Why? The study suggests that the impact of plants is predominantly psychological, resulting in employees becoming more ‘physically, cognitively and emotionally involved in their work’.

With the Trak system from Krost, incorporating plants into any workspace is as simple as sliding a planter box attachment onto a desk-mounted rail. Combining adjustable legs with a melamine top, Trak is the perfect adaptable solution for greening today’s flexible workspaces.

3. Keep it casual

On flexibility, bear in mind that the office of today – and, certainly, of 2018 – is more social than ever. Thanks to a new generation of millennial workers, today’s office must cater for break times, team lunches or morning teas, and the occasional (or frequent!) after work drink.

Office furniture must not only facilitate but also encourage this casual behaviour, which is a valuable counterpoint to hours of productivity. Enter Gogo and Pac by Krost. Soft yet durable, Gogo ottomans can be scattered throughout the office or clustered to create social breakout areas. For dining or kitchenette areas, Pac is a stylish stool on which to perch. With options that look this great, good luck getting your employees out of the break out zone!

4. Work together more

The notion that ‘many hands make light work’ has endured throughout generations of workers. Offices should encourage collaboration in its many forms, from one-on-one discussions to team feedback sessions and critiques with clients. Yet collaboration should not come at the cost of surrounding areas.

Krost’s aptly named Hush seating range provides a comfortable, quiet workspace. A high backrest and arms upholstered in soft woollen cashmere fabric keep unwanted sounds out, and two Hush sofas can be placed facing one another for a cosy acoustic ‘pod’. To maximise productivity, pair Hush with the Byte side table, a sleek writing surface that doubles as a laptop stand. 

5. Add colour

Nobody wants to work in a dull, boring environment. According to a recent University of Texas study that we have previously discussed, it’s not just a matter of preference: monochromatic offices contribute to states of listlessness and depression.

Similar studies have shown that colours such as green and blue, which have low wavelengths, activity encourage wellbeing, efficiency, creativity, and focus. Adding colour can be as simple as specifying seating in bright colours, adding vibrant Krost Flap acoustic screens, or installing boldly coloured Krost pinboards. Thanks to Krost’s handy guide to adding colour to your office space, meaning there’s no excuse: get colouring!