by Kim Schroeder

Art has many purposes. It can be beautiful to look at or evoke a particular feeling. However, art is not just something that you hang on a wall and forget about. Yes, it can simply be interesting to look at, but it can also help boost mood and physical well-being of the person looking at it.

There have been dozens of research studies that show that art in the workplace improves employee performance. Let’s take a closer look at this idea that adding art in the workplace brings employees and visitors alike more positive vibes. What are the benefits of art? Well, for one, art inspires imagination and creativity which in turn stimulates production. Art also brings about lower levels of anger and restores mental energy, which in turn helps businesses to see less absenteeism and a decreased turnover. Art is also proven to reduce workplace stress.

by Kim Schroeder

Contemplating a 2024 office upgrade? It could be the perfect moment to part ways with worn-out furniture and welcome modern styles. Transform your workspace with ergonomic chairs, sit-to-stand desks, and innovative cubicle designs. Wondering if it's time for an upgrade? Look out for these indicators suggesting your office could benefit from a revamp.

by Kim Schroeder

Who doesn’t love the warmth of the sun across their face? Or the renewed feeling that you get, after a long dreary winter, when a hint of green starts to appear on the trees?  I think that we can all agree that most of us love nature and the positive feelings that it evokes in us.

Now stop and think about how much time you actually have to spend in nature, compared to the time you spend doing other activities like grocery shopping, driving in the car, or working in the office.

by Kim Schroeder

Color theory is the art of incorporating a variety of design principles and applying them to color.  In addition to theory, color trends are the direction and way our society thinks about color.  Designers use color theories and trends as a tool to highlight or separate an area or a space.  Companies enjoy using color as a way to attract new customers and make their business appear more successful.

by Micah Guzman

Now that yet another school year has come to a close, it is the beginning of summer vacation for a majority of students and educators.  It’s an exciting time of relaxation and decompression, and the perfect opportunity to start evaluating what can be done to improve the space in which students and educators spend so much time. Today, let’s look at three ways a school or classroom can be refreshed to enhance productivity for the upcoming school year.

by Kim Schroeder

Spring is here and furniture projects are hot right now!  We have a lot going on in the Interior Design department and it is all about COLOR!  We are seeing color pop up in all industry segments – from Education to Office to Health Care. Let’s take a look at some of the projects coming out of the design department.

by Kimberly Schroeder

Buying office furniture can be a daunting experience.  With so many choices out there, knowing what to purchase for your office can be a little overwhelming.  Our expert staff at Office Express is here to make your project much easier!   Did you know that Office Express also has an Interior Design Department?  Below are some frequently asked Q&As to help answer some of the questions that you may have before starting your office redo!

by Kim Schroeder

Within the past couple of years, we have seen an increase in open workspaces.  The intention was that employees could collaborate, share knowledge, and be more productive overall. Corporate America thought this was an ideal solution for encouraging teamwork.  We now know that this is not always the case.  There are current studies that show that an open work environment can be more disruptive.  The lack of privacy, along with the added noise, can do the opposite of what was intended and inhibit an employee’s ability to concentrate, therefore decreasing productivity. 

Ergonomics in the workplace is the gift that keeps on giving. From increasing employee productivity to reducing the risk of workplace accidents, ergonomic accessories are oftentimes viewed as a key component of a successful, comfortable workplace. Here are some of the benefits that ergonomics can bring to your office space:

By: Kim Schroeder, Lead Interior Designer

We are currently working on a showroom refresh! New furniture is starting to arrive, and it looks fabulous! We’re excited to show you some of the latest designs coming into our showroom from Hon.

by Diana L. Martin

Your company is moving to a larger facility ... you're adding new employees and have no available workstations ... or your furniture is just in need of replacement. What do you do now? (No need to answer - you know I'm going to tell you.)

by Valerie Glander

Medical environments often require special considerations to ensure safety, comfort and cleanliness standards unmatched in other commercial spaces. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, standards for furniture and other surfaces are under more scrutiny than ever. Your lobby is the first experience your patients have within your practice. Selecting appropriate furniture, finishes and layout communicates the level of care provided at your facility.

In this guide, our furniture team will review some of the most important features available in the Healthcare Market today. Let us help you make a great first impression with your patients!

by Kim Schroeder

When contemplating commercial carpeting for your business, there are some things that need to be considered before buying. For example, what type of business do you have, and what kind of foot traffic comes through on a daily basis? The answers to these questions will determine what type of carpeting you will need to install.

Commercial carpeting is durable and intended for heavy traffic. It is designed to last a long time and has stain-resistant properties to make it do so.

by Valerie Glander

As the year winds down, and we begin to look forward to a new year, I like to take a moment to reflect on the year in gratitude. Even though 2021 was little crazy, our Interior Design team has a lot to appreciate! Let’s take a look at some of our favorite projects of the year. We are so thankful to our great clients for letting us help shape their spaces.

by Valerie Glander

NeoCon was back for 2021! The annual commercial design show features the latest trends and newest products from furniture manufacturers and finish vendors across the industry. Furniture trends continue to show softer designs, quite literally. Velvet was featured everywhere! Soft curves, warm colors in furnishings created inviting and comfortable spaces in our vendors’ showrooms. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite things!

In collaboration with Kilano Design + Build, the OEX design team helped create a vibrant, modern workspace for Match Rx in Royal Oak, MI. Their remodeled office is now fit with new furniture, collaborative spaces & interior graphics that will allow their team grow and work productively under one roof, building on their current success! This video features the numerous window graphics being installed, and the end result looks awesome.

Department sectioning, hoteling workstations, task spaces? OEX interior design manager, Valerie, shows us different uses for panel systems/cubicle walls that may be overlooked when designing your office layout. Let us help you design or reconfigure your space!

You might be surprised at how little $100 will get you in a chair... Take care of yourself and put your money to good use by choosing the chair your back is begging you for. Don't believe us? Stop by and test them both out for yourself!

www.oexusa.com

by Valerie Glander

Office design trends, by nature, tend to move at a slower pace than other Interior Design trends. Office furniture is expected to have a useful life of seven to ten years, although it is common for offices to have furniture that is upwards of 20 years old. By contrast, the useful life of technology products is about three years.

Over the last decade, we’ve consistently seen the industry move toward open spaces. We have partnered with hundreds of companies to create workspaces with lower panels, no panels, and more collaborative space. These designs allow natural light and improved feelings of spaciousness, but also create higher noise levels.

by Valerie Glander

As Interior Designers, we spend much of our time with clients discussing staff adjacencies, furniture requirements, finish selections and color schemes. A lesser discussed, but important element of designing an intuitive office environment is often left to an afterthought: wayfinding and signage.