New Year’s Resolutions for Offices: Small Changes, Big Impact

The New Year is when we all come back with fresh eyes. After time away from the office, it’s often easier to spot issues that day-to-day familiarity can hide. And it’s not just the Christmas tree needles and stray tinsel still lurking in reception.

January is the perfect moment to reassess how your office looks, feels, and works, and to make a few resolutions that will pay off all year.

Resolution #1: Make a Better First Impression

Your reception area sets the tone for your business. It’s the first thing visitors see, the first interaction clients have with your brand, and the place staff pass through every single day. If it’s looking tired or dated, that impression can linger – even if the rest of the business is thriving.

Sometimes, simple changes can make a big difference, such as updated finishes, improved lighting, clearer signage, or a more welcoming layout.

A Lesson from Leo Burnett

When Leo Burnett opened his Chicago advertising agency in 1935, right in the middle of the Great Depression, he placed a bowl of fresh apples in reception. The apples symbolised hospitality, optimism, and fresh thinking. It became a tradition across Leo Burnett offices worldwide – a simple gesture that carried a powerful message.

While a bowl of fruit can still be a nice touch, today’s reception areas have to work much harder.

Resolution #2: Upgrade the Reception Desk for 21st-Century Working

Modern reception desks must balance professional appearance with practical performance. They need to support staff, streamline visitor experiences, and accommodate today’s technology.

When planning a new reception desk, consider:

Workstation requirements – Adequate space for computers, phones, visitor management systems, and payment terminals.
Storage and organisation -Integrated drawers, cupboards, and shelving to keep paperwork and equipment out of sight.
Cable management – Concealed wiring and power access to maintain a clean, uncluttered look.
Comfort for staff – Ergonomic design that supports reception teams who spend long periods at their desk.

A well-designed reception desk doesn’t just look good, it improves efficiency and creates a calmer, more professional welcome. Take a look here.

Resolution #3: Support Staff Health and Comfort

If your employees have made a New Year’s resolution to be fitter or healthier, the office can help – or hinder – those ambitions.

Ergonomic Seating and Sit/Stand Desks

Providing adjustable office seating and sit/stand desks allows staff to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. The benefits include:

Reduced back, neck, and shoulder strain
Improved circulation and energy levels
Better posture and long-term musculoskeletal health
Increased focus and productivity

Healthy staff are happier, more engaged, and less likely to suffer from fatigue or discomfort – a win for everyone. Take a look here.

Resolution #4: Make Space for More People (Without Moving Walls)

As teams grow and more people return to the office, space can quickly feel tight. Expanding your footprint can be expensive, but it’s often unnecessary.

Rethinking Traditional Office Layouts

Many offices are still designed around old ways of working, with large desks and filing cabinets for paper storage. But paperless systems and cloud-based working have changed everything.

Fewer filing cabinets are needed
Desks can be smaller and more flexible
Hot desking reduces the need for permanent personal storage

Smart Lockers for the Modern Workplace

With flexible working and hot desking, staff still need secure places to store personal belongings. That’s where smart lockers come in.

At Creed-Miles, we design and install smart locker systems using the latest technology to deliver flexible, secure, and intuitive storage solutions. These are ideal for corporate offices, education environments, healthcare settings, and leisure and mixed-use spaces.

Smart lockers free up valuable floor space while supporting modern, agile working styles.

Resolution #5: Tackle Noise and Create Calm

As offices become busier again, noise is one of the biggest productivity challenges. Conversations, phone calls, and meetings can easily become distractions.

Acoustic Solutions That Really Work

Creed-Miles specialises in installing acoustic wall panels, desk dividers, and acoustic ceiling systems. These solutions absorb sound, reduce echo, and create a calmer, more focused working environment – without compromising on design.

Resolution #6: Create Spaces for Focus, Creativity, and Collaboration

Not all work happens best at a desk or in a formal meeting room.

Office Booths and Meeting Pods

Office booths and acoustic office pods provide flexible, enclosed spaces that support a variety of workstyles, including quiet focus for calls or concentrated tasks, impromptu collaboration for quick discussions and idea-sharing, and better meetings without distractions from the wider office.

They also help reduce overall noise levels by giving conversations a dedicated space.

Why Businesses Love Booths

Flexible and adaptable – easy to reconfigure, move, or scale as needs change
Support different workstyles – quiet zones and collaborative spaces in one solution
Encourage creativity – the right environment sparks better conversations and ideas

One Final Resolution: Make the Office Work Harder for You

The New Year isn’t just about change for change’s sake. It’s about creating an office that supports your people, reflects your brand, and adapts to how you work today and tomorrow.

Whether it’s refreshing your reception, improving ergonomics, rethinking space, or reducing noise, small, well-planned changes can deliver lasting benefits.

At Creed-Miles, we help businesses turn New Year intentions into practical, well-designed office environments that truly work.

New Year Resolutions for Offices