Shorter days, more frequent precipitation and lower temperatures indicate that the winter is gradually approaching. However, the cold season doesn’t have to be unpleasant at all. You can make use of this magical time of the year to surprise your staff with a cozier office and make them come to work more willingly and with fresh minds. If you are curious about how to do it, don’t miss this article!

Winter in the office

Christmas gift-giving, long-awaited family gatherings, shopping sprees, New Year’s Eve parties, skiing sessions in the mountains – these are at least several reasons why we love the winter season. However, there is also the other side of the coin – spending almost all day in the office when the sun sets very early and having too much on one’s mind can be depressing, especially if the office looks the same all year round.

As an employer or manager you should be aware that your staff’s attitude has a strong impact on how they work. If they are simply tired, overwhelmed by the changing weather, or have their heads up in the clouds, the best you can do is to try to get them to focus on work. However, standard motivation techniques such as asking employees to carry out duties more carefully aren’t always the best choice. Breaking the spirit of stagnation, e.g., through introducing eye-pleasing decorations or some life-improving apps like a desk booking tool, can turn out to be highly effective.

A cozy office as a solution

Employees can feel weary and drained of energy for many reasons. Some of them can have their roots in the place they work. If they spend 8 hours a day, 5 days each week for several years in the same office, they may be simply fed up with it. A thorough cleaning, introducing new winter-related décor, or allowing staff to freely choose where to sit can bring coziness to the office and make employees feel at ease.

The elements of a cozy office

Rearranging the office so that it is snug doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming. Many changes can be introduced in a day. Some of them include:

• Christmas and winter-related decorations. A Christmas tree, a fluffy snowman, fairy lights, or glittering snowflakes all around the office will remind your staff that winter is just outside the window. Theme decorations will surely put a smile on their faces.
• The smell of cinnamon and oranges. There are many smells that we usually associate with winter. Using scented candles in the office or special essential oils can create a pleasant ambience. 
• Soft blankets. Another thing that simply needs to be found in a cosy office is fluffy and extra blankets which can be freely used by employees whenever they feel like it.
• Winter-inspired music. If you have a tendency to play music in the office, e.g., in the kitchen or other common areas, consider making a playlist with the best winter hits from the past.

The office as a space for all employees

You should always keep in mind that not all employees like the same things. What makes the office cosy for some, e.g., the above-mentioned scented candles, can be disturbing for others. This is why you should always try to find balance while introducing new elements to the shared space. You may also try to give your employee more freedom.

You can try out Deski – a desk booking app thanks to which your employees can freely choose where to sit in the office. What are the benefits of this solution? Firstly, your employees can regularly change the environment by sitting in different places. Secondly, they can reserve bigger tables or separate rooms if they are planning some teamwork. And that is not all – with Deski you can easily track your employees’ attendance list.

Don’t know where to start?

Start with us! Choose a desk-booking app with a simple, yet powerful interface. We can help you find an optimal configuration for your office. Booking a desk should be nothing but a single click! Get familiar with Deski – a desktop and mobile web app with real-time reservations. Set your own reservation rules and separate office space – it’s all up to you! If you have any questions about our hot-desking solution, let us know!