If you’ve been using the same office space or commercial building for more than a decade, it’s probably time to consider some kind of upgrade.

Why? Because your commercial building is a major part of your brand as a company, especially when it serves as your office headquarters. And in our fast-moving society, the last impression you want to leave with clients, vendors, and employees is that you’re unwilling or unable to keep pace with the times.

“We spend almost a third of our lives in the office,” office design entrepreneur Morten Meisner-Jensen recently told Forbes. “In order to find and retain top talent, it’s essential for companies to foster an environment that empowers people with the right space to work, think and collaborate naturally. From offering private rooms to take a call and quiet spaces for meditation to fun, comfortable areas that foster collaboration, it’s imperative to think about building office spaces with different environments to maximize employee well-being.”

So what’s the answer to modernizing your outdated office space?

In many cases a renovation is your best bet, since modernizing your current space is often easier, less expensive and less time-consuming than moving to new digs. As such, here are ideas for commercial-building renovations that could make your space more appealing and/or functional leading into the 2020s.

1. Go au naturel

Incorporate more nature through your materials, color schemes, features, and layouts. One global study indicates people who work in spaces with natural features are 15% more creative at work, report 14% higher levels of well-being and are 6% more productive. Some suggestions for improvements? Rooftop or main-floor patios, plants, murals, fountains, wood floors, natural-material wallpapers and/or skylights.

2. Re-think your work spaces

You may wish to replace your old-school cubicles with a mix of comfortable couches and chairs, informal meeting spaces, stand-up work areas, hot desks, soundproof rooms for private conversations and/or secluded areas where workers can take power naps. “Over time, the cube has switched from being a vehicle of autonomy to a means of cramming more people into smaller spaces,” notes Elizabeth Breckenridge.

3. Focus on health

Consider additions such as on-site gyms, yoga rooms, ergonomic desks and/or healthy snack centers that could contribute to employee well-being. One Forbes survey of U.S. workers found 87% would like their employer to offer healthier workspace benefits ranging from wellness rooms to company fitness benefits, sit-stands, healthy lunch options, and ergonomic seating.

4. Optimize technology

Study how technology improvements could improve different aspects of your work environment. Ideas include high-quality Wi-Fi; video phone systems; digital screens that track team performance; video game rooms; at-desk treadmills; aromatherapy machines; digital receptionists; high-tech air purifiers and/or cloud technology that lets people work anywhere, anytime.

5. Let your light shine

One study by the American Society of Interior Designers indicates 68 percent of U.S. employees are dissatisfied with the lighting in their offices. Improvements may involve centering employee work stations around windows, adding skylights and/or strategically lighting work spaces with mixes of ambient and task lighting. Switching to environmentally friendly LED lighting could also create a brighter work space while saving you money on electric bills. “Lighting is considered one of the most important factors in ergonomics,” notes Inc.com. “But too often this part of an office’s design is overlooked, rushed or sacrificed for style.”

Bonus tip: Be forward-thinking

Upgrading your commercial building may be key to showing workers, clients and business partners your company is progressive and ready for the future. Take time to review whether you’re due for improvements that will keep you well-positioned and competitive.

The specialists at Titus Contracting can suggest multiple ways to optimize your building for more productive work in the 2020s. Check out our full portfolio of work to get more inspiration and if you have any questions, you can always give us a call at 952-746-7817.