Office design is so crucially important to the success of your company, it’s well worth consulting professionals to get it right.
“A well designed office may cost a little more, but it is much cheaper than a poorly designed one.
1. You can never have too much light or space
Company workers spend approximately 90% of their waking hours indoors, Lack of natural light can have negative impacts on mood and productivity, so both employees and their employers would greatly benefit from more exposure.
Natural light is a much overlooked benefit in office design, but it should be one of your major considerations in office design and layout.
Give employees enough space. It’s not only important to give staff big enough desks, but you must also consider circulation space, However, you want to try and get a balance between enough space and managing to cultivate a “buzz” in your office.
2. Create break-out spaces
Break-out spaces aren’t just somewhere your employees can eat lunch—they provide a crucial place away from the desk, which can aid creativity. “Create non-bookable, break-out spaces for those informal chats or just a change of scenery. These spaces take down barriers to communication and encourage spontaneity in the office.
3. Keep things tidy
“When it comes to small offices, it is even more important to make sure that everything works together. In a large office, clients might never see the work area, because there is a ‘behind the scenes’ space, but there is no such thing when it comes to small offices.
Racking is one solution that comes to mind, as it uses less space and lets light through.
4. Invest in furniture
Cash-strapped companies may be tempted to save money on budget furniture, but in the long-term.
It may be a relatively small object, but workers spend the majority of their workday sitting in an office chair. Only when they begin to suffer the ill effects of an uncomfortable chair—low back pain and general discomfort—do they begin to pay attention to where and how they are sitting.
A cheap chair can cause back pain, contributing to complaints and absenteeism. Invest in a good movable monitor arm to put the screen at eye level to reduce neck pain.
technology to make working in the office easier. Wireless connectivity in the office enables staff to work anywhere, giving them an excellent way to change their scenery. Impromptu meetings are easier when you can take your laptop with you.
5. Brand your workplace
Branding your office is just as important as branding your stationery.
“Branding should not stop with the business card and website. It should be infused into the space where everything happens. It should be all around the employees and it should speak to the clients. It should be the environment.
“Wallpaper on the wall is not needed, nor is the coordinated Post-It dispenser or the framed images on the wall, but in a way, these details are the whole point of the office.
Another nice touch? A logo, Putting it on a feature wall is a simple way to create visual interest. Carry any identifying factors through the space, be its color, a shape or idea. If your company is based on the fact that you are a small, but modern business, make sure that the furniture and lighting send the right message. One great way to combine branding and function is to use your identity as a space identifier.
The physical appearance of your office can lay the foundation for your corporate culture. In designing your office space, inject your firm’s slogans, logos, philosophy, attitude, products and color palette into the environment in order to showcase your firm’s corporate culture at the most elementary level. The clothing does not make the man, but it does make him more attractive!”
