Redesigning your office layout is about more than just making the most of your workspace. According to research, office layout and other environmental factors have an impact on employee well-being, financial success, and productivity.
Imagine that you and your employees will be in the office for at least 40 hours per week (and nearly 2,000 hours per year). The way you organize the space between those four walls can affect not only aesthetic appeal but also comfort and productivity. According to Inc.com's Jeff Pochepan, a poorly designed office can cause "higher stress levels, emotional rifts between departments, corporate resentment, employee bickering, mental health issues, anxiety, and even physical problems such as backaches and reduced eye vision."
Before you make any purchases or hire professional design help, here's what you should know about optimizing your office layout.
Plan it.
Expensive furniture does not imply efficient use of space. Rather than purchasing the latest fashion desks and expensive furniture, you may want to sit down and devise a strategy. Before bringing furniture, keep a few things in mind. You can, for example, consider the importance of time and money. It is best to hire a professional designer if you want to make the most of your space.
Design Your Office For Collaboration.
Consider the ease of communication between your employees when designing an office layout. Design your office so that different departments can interact and collaborate with one another. This allows your employees to easily consult with one another and increases your company's productivity. Encouraging your employees to walk to different parts of the office and enjoy collaborative space increases work productivity.
Have Multipurpose Spaces.
You can use your space for a variety of purposes to save money and space. The meeting room can also be used for other purposes, such as relaxation. If you have a large office, you can set aside a separate area for your employees to relax. These areas allow employees to unwind, become comfortable, and interact productively with their coworkers.
Pay Attention To Lighting.
Proper lighting is the most influential aspect of your interior office space. Human behavior is known to be influenced by light intensity and color temperature. You must pay special attention to lighting in order to promote an encouraging environment and keep employees energized throughout the day. The entire office, not just the workstation, should be well lit. Follow basic office lighting ergonomics by avoiding dark spots and shadows, which create a cozy atmosphere. This is one of the most important space planning tips for optimizing your office space.
Get rid of uncomfortable furniture.
It is critical to keep the environment welcoming and comfortable, but it is also critical to maintain professionalism. Unwanted furniture should not be crammed into your office space layout. Maintain proper ventilation in the office and keep the décor to a minimum. If you find any fixtures that do not match the vibe, it is best to remove them to make more open spaces. Finding ergonomic desk chairs is an excellent place to begin. Look for chairs with adjustable armrests, swivel mechanisms, height, width, and depth adjustments, lumbar support, and padded upholstery. While replacing or upgrading furniture may be more expensive at first, it will save your employees pain and healthcare costs in the long run.
Conclusion
Finally, how you choose to maximize your office space is entirely up to you. You are the one who is most familiar with your company and its employees, which will greatly aid in the design of the office space layout. It is up to you to make your workplace a happier and more enjoyable place to work. Take this opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate your current workplace. Is it making you happy? Do you like the design and flow? Is productivity something that comes naturally?
Neptel can help you with your office plan — from private offices to customized office suites, we can provide you with well-thought-out office solutions. If you want to learn more about us, send us a message!
References
Pochepan, J. (n.d.) Your Company Culture May Be Suffering From Poor Office Design. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/jeff-pochepan/building-a-company-culture-make-office-design-your-first-priority.html
Rees, H. (n.d) 15 Office Design Tricks That Will Increase Your Productivity at Work. Retrieved from https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/15-office-design-tricks-that-will-increase-your-productivity-work.html
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