Want a workspace that gets more done without blowing the budget?
Everyone wants the same thing from their workspace. An office that allows you to concentrate, get up, move, and enjoy your day. Because a great workspace leads to:
- Faster work
- Happier staff
Here’s the problem:
Many small business owners believe that a productive office environment costs a fortune. It doesn’t. You don’t need high-tech pods, a games room or designer chairs. Just the right basics… done right.
Spend smart, not big.
Here you’ll learn where to spend your budget (and where to pinch pennies) so your team can do great work daily.
Time to jump in!
Here’s what’s inside:
- Why Your Workspace Matters More Than You Think
- The Dual Monitor Standing Desk Setup
- Budget Wins That Cost Next To Nothing
- Where Small Teams Waste Money
Why Your Workspace Matters More Than You Think
Your employees sit at a desk for most of their workday. Hours and hours sitting down.
And the numbers aren’t great. Research done in South Africa showed office employees self-reported almost 12 hours of sitting daily when considering work, commuting, eating, and screen time.
That’s half a day in a chair!
Too much sitting causes aching backs, fatigue and that mid-afternoon slump everyone knows too well. When people are tired, they make more errors. They also call in sick more often.
A bad workspace costs you money every single day.
The best news is… small things add up quickly. And your biggest victory will come from one single piece of furniture.
The Dual Monitor Standing Desk Setup
If there is one upgrade worth paying for, this is it.
A dual monitor standing desk solves two issues simultaneously: screen space and hours spent sitting. Your employees have more space to spread out and the flexibility to stand at any time. When shopping for standing desks, consider one with a frame that is wide enough to accommodate dual monitors next to each other and strong enough to raise them effortlessly with no shaking. An adjustable electric dual monitor standing desk allows each user to transition from sitting to standing in seconds.
Simple, right?
Why Two Screens Beat One
Think about how much time your team wastes clicking between tabs.
University of Utah research showed that participants experienced a 44% productivity increase on text-based activities after upgrading to two monitors. In another study, Wichita State researchers saw an 18% efficiency boost for multi-source tasks when using dual monitors.
Pretty cool, right?
Two screens let your team:
- Keep email open on one side
- Work on the main task on the other
- Compare documents without flipping back and forth
Why Standing Matters Too
Standing isn’t about standing all day. That’s just as tiring as sitting all day.
The objective is variety. Health experts recommend office employees build up to a minimum of 2 hours per day of standing or light activity. An adjustable desk facilitates that because no one has to pause from work to achieve it.
Quick tip: Adjust your desk height so that your elbows rest at 90 degrees when sitting or standing. The top of each of your monitors should be at (or just below) eye level.
Save Money On The Monitors
Here’s the thing…
Screens don’t need to cost a fortune either. Two mid-tier 24″ monitors are often cheaper than a single large ultra-wide monitor. Plus they work just as well for office tasks.
Get a dual monitor arm as well. It saves desk space and makes height adjustment effortless. Even better, the screens move as the desk does. No need to readjust your monitors every time you sit or stand.
Budget Wins That Cost Next To Nothing
Sometimes small inexpensive upgrades are the best solutions.
Fix The Lighting
Poor lighting leads to eye strain and headaches. Move desks nearer to windows if possible. Natural light helps people stay more awake during the day.
Position screens side-on to windows (not facing them) to cut down on glare.
Sort Out The Cables
Messy cables are unsightly and dangerous. A pack of cable ties and some adhesive clips are very cheap. Run all the cables along the back leg of each desk so they won’t snag when you raise/lower the desk.
Create A Quiet Zone
Open plan offices are loud environments. Teams of fewer people notice this more since they sit in closer proximity to each other.
Choose one corner of the room to make a “no calls” area. A rug, bookshelf or two plants can absorb more sound than you think. Then issue the group one rule:
Headphones on = do not disturb.
Add Some Plants
Plants are inexpensive, low maintenance and bring life to a space. Snake plants and pothos are next to impossible to kill.
Perfect for busy teams!
Where Small Teams Waste Money
Now for the flip side…
Lots of small businesses waste their entire budget on the wrong things. Then they’re surprised when nothing feels amazing. Read on for the most common money traps:
- Buying everything up front: Get what you need at first and expand later.
- Picking the cheapest chairs available: Bad chairs cause back pain and loss of concentration. Spend a little extra money here.
- Spending money on unused space: If you have a giant board room you only use monthly, you are throwing money away.
- Neglecting to look at second-hand furniture: File cabinets, shelving and conference tables can often be purchased ‘used’ in excellent condition.
The trick is knowing where quality matters.
Desks and chairs are used 8 hours per day. Spend your money there. For storage/cabinets and decor, purchase used and keep the difference.
Let Your Team Have A Say
This one is free and super underrated.
Ask your employees what holds them back. Is it noise? Lighting? Lack of screen real estate? Whatever they tell you, you’ll know exactly where to invest first, instead of flushing money down the drain with guesses.
Plus, people feel more ownership over space they’ve helped design. They’ll keep it cleaner and utilize it more.
That’s a win-win.
Bringing It All Together
You don’t need lots of money to build a great workspace. You need good decisions. Here’s a quick summary:
- Invest in a dual monitor standing desk for each person
- Use two mid-range screens instead of one expensive one
- Fix lighting, cables and noise with cheap quick wins
- Buy second-hand where quality doesn’t matter
- Ask your team what they actually need
Begin with the simple things and work your way up. Your team will notice the change within the first week. Your bottom line will notice it shortly after that.
