Top five tips for office space planning

Growing the business might mean adding people, but office 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. Before we dive into the benefits of office space planning and how it can benefit your business, let’s start by identifying what it means:

Definition of office space planning

According to Oktra, office space planning is ‘the optimisation of a workplace based on maximising available space to meet user needs.’

It involves thoughtful consideration of layout, furniture, equipment, and workflow to create an environment that optimally supports the needs and objectives of an organisation.

Effective office space planning considers the specific requirements of the workforce, fosters collaboration, and ensures an ergonomic and comfortable atmosphere.

Now that we’re familiar with the definition, here are five top tips on how to space plan your office or workplace effectively:

Guide to office space planning

1) Determining how much space you need

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) Creating collaborative workspaces

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 workspace setting is used for every single aspect of your employees’ working lives, you’ll find productivity levels can quickly decrease.

3) Space planning for your business

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) Utilising natural light and office interiors

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, look to use areas by windows.

5) Optimising office space for new work models

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.

Other factors to consider in office space planning

There are a few other key things you should consider when space planning your office or workplace effectively, including:

• Consider 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.
• Think ahead when securing a lease – think both short and long-term; your business will have to live with the office space for the length of the lease. Will this space be right for your business one year on or five years on?

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.

If you are thinking about taking the plunge – don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team of experts today, who can guide you on your new office journey.

Or, if you require a bit more information about Crown Workspace and how we can support you, check out our vast range of services here.