Designing your office brings both excitement for the final product and challenges along the way. Knowing the best strategies when designing your workspace, and the things to avoid, will help prepare you as you begin designing your perfect space. Here we will walk through the Do’s and Don’ts of Office Design, and how they apply to your office!
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DO stick to your company’s vision
How you design your office speaks volumes about your company’s goals, values, and vision. Whether you’re a new company or one that has been around for awhile, honing in on your company’s short and long term goals will help direct all aspects of your office design. Are you a company that focuses on innovation and collaboration? You may want to design your office with an emphasis on open space and collaborative bench seating. Your company may be hoping to double in size by the next year, and in that case you will want to sit down with an expert and draft your office layout and vision on paper. Sticking to your company brand and vision will propel you toward your future goals and company’s growth.
DON’T cut corners with low quality furniture
It can often be tempting to cut corners and purchase lower quality to get a cheaper price, but more often than not, the cost of poor quality in the long run surpasses any initial savings. Making the decision to purchase high quality (better) furniture at a reasonable price will not only save you from having to replace furniture a year down the road, but it will allow you to make lasting first impressions on potential clients and customers. Don’t cut corners and skimp on quality, but instead find a company that can give you both — Lower prices for higher quality office furniture.
DO consider the need for privacy
Every office needs a space that specifically allows for collaboration; however, when considering employee performance, studies have found that giving an individual privacy to do work in their own space reduces stress and increases productivity. Designing your office to reflect the flexibility needed for most workplace environments will lead your company and employees toward greater productivity and success.
DON’T forget to think practically
To create an efficient and functional workspace it’s imperative that you think through the little details. These details will be the difference between a comfortable everyday space for your employees and an unproductive workspace environment. The locations of equipment like printers, and selecting accessories such as filing cabinets, will help boost the day to day efficiency and effectiveness of your employees.
Don’t forget to think practically about what your company’s needs are and what they may be in the future. Contact an expert today to help you think through exactly what those specific needs may be for you!
DO keep things tidy
Even large spaces can feel small when there’s too much going on. Keeping your office tidy and free of clutter does more than you might think for your employees state-of-mind. The absence of clutter allows for greater focus and productivity. Minimizing the distractions that come with a messy office can help unlock creativity and increase efficiency. One of the best ways to keep your office tidy is maximizing storage space. Browse through affordable storage and filing options here!
DON’T forget huddle areas
It’s important to take the time to unite your team using a designated huddle space. This space should promote unity, encourage employees, and further commit them to their daily duties. Starting the day off as a team will encourage members to pursue their common goals and it increases accountability. Well equipped break rooms, huddle spaces, and lounges (think conference table that turns into a ping pong table) can give employees a place to connect, meet, and relax.
When designing your office, don’t forget to layout these huddle spaces with an expert. Think through what furniture will be needed and get your vision on paper. If you need help, contact Cube Solutions for our recommended free design service!
DO maximize light to stimulate productivity
Natural light in the workplace goes far beyond design and aesthetics, and has been proven to increase an employee’s quality of life. Take the time to design the layout of your office so that you’re maximizing the natural light available to you. If you need help determining the best way to arrange your office to maximize light, contact an expert today!
[quote text=”…office workers’ quality of life and sleep may be improved via emphasis on light exposure and lighting levels in current offices as well as in the design of future offices…” author=”Ivy Cheung, neuroscience doctoral candidate at Northwestern University”]
DON’T forget to ask your employees
Forgetting to involve employees in the design process is similar to building a house without talking to the people that will actually live there. Creating a home-away-from-home for your employees is one Thing to Know When Buying For Your Office and involving a few trusted employees in that process can open your eyes to things you would’ve never known otherwise. Employee comfort will affect their overall productivity and ultimately the performance of your business as a whole.
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These Do’s and Don’ts of Office Design will help you as you begin designing the perfect workspace for your office. While every office is different, sticking with these 8 tips will help guide you towards your office goals and vision. Reach out to an expert today with our Free Design Service and get help designing your space! If you still have questions on creating your perfect workspace, download our Buyer’s Guide to Purchasing Cubicles and see what cubicles may be right for your specific office.
