Designing an office is simple enough right? You just need to throw some desks and chairs into a room, make sure there are enough outlets for any computers or phones, and you’re done! If only it were this simple.
The way you design your office will impact the productivity of your team and the talent that you’re able to attract. So, whether you’re starting from scratch or simply looking to update your current layout, here are 5 things to think about when designing an office.
1. Space for a break
Being able to take a break and rest is important for your team to stay productive. Despite what many believe, a break at your desk really isn’t a break at all. You can never fully switch off knowing your inbox is right there and waiting for you.
This is why having a break area is so important. Start by making sure that it’s a reasonable size so plenty of your staff can use it (it doesn’t need to fit everyone at once). Next, ensure that are some essentials in there such as a fridge, microwave, kettle, and sink.
We recommend going the extra mile, but do what you can with your budget. Your staff will only thank you for it.
2. How you’ll maintain it
Whilst it’s important to make your office look great initially, people often forget that they need to maintain this. This is where a facilities management company can help. For example, they will provide cleaners who will keep your office tidy and stop your design work from getting ruined with clutter, dirt, and mess.
3. Public and Private Areas
An office needs space where people can collaborate. This will allow your team to work together and complete their tasks faster. However, there will also be times when privacy is needed for important calls, meetings, or tasks.
This means that you need to design your office so that both private and public spaces are on offer. For example, you could have a few meeting rooms and a large area for hotdesking.
4. Enough space to work
Whilst it may be tempting to cramp all of your staff to save money, this will actually harm their productivity and in turn, your bottom line. Take the time to understand how much space your employees need.
A great place to start is desks. How many monitors to your team need? If they’re designers, will they need special desks? These questions need to be factored into the decisions that you make,
5. Branding
Last but not least, you need to think about branding. This is important because it sets your office apart, and shows that you have pride in your business. Think about places where you can put your company logo, or perhaps if you should use your brand colors to decorate your office.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you’ll be able to design an office that you and your staff will enjoy.
