Whether you are just about to open an office for the first time or redesign the space entirely, it makes sense that you use the space as wisely as possible. This way, you can create a place where people want to work, as well as one that maximizes productivity and encourages creative thinking.
Modern offices have different requirements, and the more planning you put into it, the more likely it is that you are going to create an office that you are happy with. Taking care of all the little details can add up, but you should start by planning out the main logistical challenges. So, if you are looking to design your office space right, here are a few of the ways that you can do this.
Create a Detailed Plan
As we have just mentioned, a detailed plan can be so useful in so many different ways. Using floor plan software will help you to visualize the office space and what it is all about. While you may start off with a dream list of everything that you want in there, over time, this may need to be refined based on your budget. In the initial planning stage, it is useful to get a wide range of voices involved. After all, your employees will have a better idea of what is required to do the job well. Also, if you think that there is likely to be an expansion at some point down the line, it makes sense that you plan for this.
Choose Ergonomic Furniture
A key component of your office space will obviously be the furniture. The problem with cheap and badly designed furniture is that all sorts of problems can arise, including issues with posture, eye strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The ability to adjust chair and desk height is a useful feature, especially if it allows for standing, which is an increasingly popular way of working for a host of modern office employees. Other useful ergonomic features include lumbar support and padded material. Also, consider how the furniture will look from an aesthetic perspective. You want to give visitors to your office the best possible impression right from the get-go. It’s really easy to find bespoke office furniture, a quick online search for office monster is a great place to start looking when redesigning your office to suit your own needs.
Incorporate a Variety of Spaces
The modern office worker has a host of different activities that they need to take care of. While an open-plan office space with rows of desks is highly popular these days, you also need to think about what else your members of staff will be doing beyond tapping away on a keyboard. So, you are going to need some meeting rooms, a break room, a quiet area, and perhaps even a place to play games if you are really looking to encourage creativity. Ultimately, having a wide variety of ways to work is one of the optimum ways of getting the best out of your members of staff.
Think About Your Technological Requirements
It should go without saying that modern businesses are heavily reliant on technology, and your office area needs to reflect this. So, you need to start by considering the basics. For example, is the broadband connection sufficient to extend throughout the office area? Think about the logistics of the office layout, such as the location of the printers and photocopiers, as well as the proximity of desks to power outlets. You are also going to need to set aside space for screens and projectors. We live in a world in which videoconferencing and telecommuting is likely to become more popular than ever before. As a result, your office space needs to reflect this change.
Pay Attention to the Lighting
Office lighting is highly important – particularly during the darker winter months of the year. There are several impacts that lighting can have on human beings, including impacting such things as health, productivity, and mood. When you are putting in the lighting, make sure that there are no darkened corners that aren’t getting enough. At the same time, you still want to avoid harsh overhead lighting as much as possible, as this can end up having the opposite effect to the one that you were intending. Also, consider how natural light plays a role in your office space. As much as possible, you will want to maximize it. As well as not racking up your lighting and heating bills, this also boosts mental health, well-being, and productivity.
Consider the Temperature of the Office
One of the main complaints that office workers have is the temperature of the office. Of course, not everyone agrees on whether it is too hot or cold, so you need to try to maintain a steady temperature as much as possible. If you are putting in air conditioning units, you should consider the location carefully. If you put desks directly underneath, the draught can prove to be too much for a lot of people. Of course, you won’t be able to control temperature directly in every single part of the office, but layout decisions can end up making all the difference.
Think About the Décor
Once you have taken care of many of the basic elements of an office, you can then start to take your decorating style into account. While it may seem like this is simply adding the finishing touches, it can actually do much more than that. The right decoration can be inspiring and will really give off a good impression to clients at the same time. Your décor is likely to need to reflect your company branding as well. Essentially, the decoration should make your office more aesthetically pleasing, but it shouldn’t be so vibrant to the point that it is overwhelming to everyone who pays a visit.
Ultimately, when you are giving your office a makeover, you should come into the task with a clear plan of what you want to achieve in mind. Make sure that it is a collaborative process, and you are more likely to create a space that everyone is happy with.
