The space in which your business operates is of paramount importance. It doesn’t just introduce the business to visitors and others who come to see you; it also affects your staff. Creating a new office space should be all about efficiency and staff comfort. A comfortable, happy group of employees works harder and smarter. Therefore, you should make every effort to design your space in a way that complements and enhances the flow of information across the office. The right design choices and style elements can give you a modern, exciting space in which to work. To maximise the effectiveness of your new design, concentrate your efforts in these five core areas.
- Employee Workspaces
If you’re thinking about ordering cubicles, think again: cubicles stifle collaboration. Throwing up barriers might seem like a good way to reduce distractions but divisions do more than just cut out background noise. In fact, they can hamper the flow of information between workers around the office. Open plans enable cooperation and collaborative brainstorming. Productivity can go way up when your staff has the freedom to work together in an open office. It creates a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere that reduces stress. Choosing an office design company that understands functional design is a smart idea. Leverage someone else’s experience to create a superior and elegant workspace.
- Employee Break Areas and Relaxation Spaces
From time to time, everyone needs to get away from work. Having a space in the office in which staff can decompress and chat is not just a good idea, it’s essential. A well-designed break room can reduce stress. When people gather to relax and speak informally, they may even come up with new approaches to their current professional projects. Spend time learning how to design an inviting break room. Make it personal, inviting, and a fun place to be, and include comfortable furniture like couches and essentials like coffee machines and office water dispensers. It should be a totally informal space in which to spend time freely. When your staff returns to work, they’ll be energized and ready to put in their full effort.
- Lighting, Color, and Ambience
Designing a good office isn’t just about furniture placement or the floor layout; it’s also about the atmosphere. Providing your staff with a space that is airy and light will do a lot for your productivity rates. Studies show that natural light in offices is essential for employee mental health. At the same time, the office should feature engaging (but not garish) colours. Make efforts to remove or muffle any sources of unnecessary noise. The office should be a tranquil and inviting space in which to work. Additional windows or skylights and even some indoor greenery can do a lot to lift the office’s mood.
- Private Offices
Don’t forget that management needs a functional and private space to do work. Take care when choosing your office furniture. It should be comfortable and functional but well within your acceptable budget range. Because your management team will spend a lot of time in their offices, good furnishing is important. As with the office floor, natural light is essential here. Ensure that the whole space is arranged in a way that will maximise productivity. At the same time, these offices should be isolated in the layout from the general staff. This separation helps to reinforce boundaries.
- Technical Infrastructure
Consider design elements that focus on your technology. Standing desks can transform the feel of the office while creating a healthier environment for staff. Long workbenches filled with PCs can enable staff to work side-by-side. This can help to improve communication between staff just as the overall layout does. Speak to your design firm and choose the correct technical infrastructure setups for your office’s needs.
Whether you are moving offices or designing a brand new one, a solid design foundation is essential. Without it, you will quickly discover that the office is not a very fun place to work for you or your team. Exercise your creativity and come up with an inspiring vision for your staff. Coordinate with an office design company to develop plans with the ideal balance between form and function. Before long, you’ll be back at work with happy employees. You’ll be proud of their work, and proud of the way your workspace looks, too.