Eight Tips for Office Space Planning
Growing the business might mean adding people, but space planning can help you think critically about the space people need to work productively.
Relocating offices is an exciting experience; it’s the opportunity to make positive changes to the business.
However, it’s important not to let your excitement run away with you – it’s an expensive investment and therefore you need to get it right.
Here are a few tips on how to space plan your office or workplace effectively:
1) Decide on the objectives of your office space
Think about what you want to use the space for. Do you want it to be a place for clients to meet? Or maybe it’s to bring staff together for better communication? Some minor touching up on the interior design or a complete office fit out solution that you are looking for? Once your office space objectives are set, you can start to consider the space you need.
2) Variety is the spice of life
No matter how big or small, every office needs variety – individual spaces to work in order to help encourage collaboration, meetings and socialisation.
If your primary work space setting is used for every single aspect of your employees’ working lives, you’ll find productivity levels can quickly decrease.
3) What facilities will you be offering?
Think about whether you need facilities such as a bike store, showers, or a particular type of kitchen area – all these areas will need sufficient space.
4) Think about lighting
Natural light can affect the mood and happiness of workers, so it’s important to create spaces with as much light as possible. Avoid blocking light with unnecessary furniture, plants or blinds. Instead of locating your workstations in the centre of the office, or use areas by windows.
You could even purchase a SAD Light to help boost morale in dark winter months.
5) You get what you pay for
It’s common to minimise expenditure on expensive furniture and dÉcor.
However, it is genuinely important to invest in them sufficiently, or you could find yourself replacing them quicker than expected. Buying cheap office furniture that is not comfortable can demotivate staff.
Good quality furniture that makes your staff feel comfortable will only help to increase productivity.
6) Consider building regulations
Before you get excited about a property and start taking walls down, you’ll need to understand the building regulations. It’s essential to know what can and can’t be done before you plan how you’re going to use the space.
7) Think ahead when securing a lease
Decide what lease you’re prepared to commit to. Your business will have to live with the office space for the length of the lease.
So, think both long-term and short-term. Will this space be right for your business one year on or five years on?
8) Don’t make quick decisions
The days of a traditional office are long gone. Take your time — poor business decisions are often made the quickest. Your business will have to operate from the office space for the length of the lease.
Relocating offices and space planning are big investments, so give them the time they deserve.
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