While the typical workplace looks vastly different today than it did ten or twenty years ago, space planning is still just as important, if not more. Although hybrid and remote work have increased significantly in the past years, it seems many may be returning to a more traditional working environment.
Regardless of whether you are embracing this new age with a hybrid approach, or leaning into a more traditional office setup, creating an office space plan is crucial.
Tips for Creating an Office Space Where Workers Thrive
Office space planning is the process of organizing your floor plan using space management to improve workflow efficiency. An effective space plan tends to also enhance employee experience, mood, and productivity.
Since many can work from virtually anywhere, cultivating a productive and appealing workspace for employees can be a challenge. However, a house doesn't provide all the amenities that an office does.
In-person team building and collaboration is often much more effective than its virtual alternative. In an increasingly virtual world, an engaging and professional office space may be more important than ever.
Understanding Your Office Needs
Before committing to any piece of furniture, you must evaluate your current office space, company goals, and employee needs.
Assess Office Space
To evaluate your current space, you must consider: office dimension and floorplan, workflow needs, and daily operations. All these considerations will help determine the best office layout for your business.
Observe daily operations for a period to effectively assess any gaps or areas of improvement in your current layout. If you are furnishing a new office space, try your best to determine workflow needs and daily operations as you see them playing out.
Determine Company Objectives
Ensure you have a clear understanding of company goals, culture, and value before designing your space. Perhaps your company has a focus on teamwork and collaboration. How can you foster an office space that encourages employees to work together?
Maybe your company culture values productivity and skill development. How can you develop an environment that minimizes distractions but also encourages employees to reach out for help when needed?
By aligning office space planning initiatives with strategic goals, businesses can create environments that support their mission, vision, and long-term objectives.
Consider Employee Needs
If you assess your office space and align your company objectives, but fail to accommodate employee needs, you will not foster a productive, motivating, or engaging space. On a greater scale, understanding employee needs in your workplace shows a care for your workers, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention rates.
Factors such as comfort, flexibility, privacy, and amenities play a crucial role in shaping the design and layout of the workspace to accommodate work styles and preferences. All employees value some level of comfort in their workplace, whether this lies in flexible seating or ergonomic furniture solutions.
Determine what your employees value and what would be feasible with the space you have. By prioritizing employee needs, businesses can foster a positive workplace culture and enhance overall satisfaction and performance.
Optimizing Your Space
Optimizing your office space involves deliberate strategies to maximize functionality, efficiency, and flexibility within the available area. Choosing an office layout that suits your space, whether open or hybrid, is the first step.
Each layout has its advantages. Open layouts cultivate collaboration and communication, while hybrid layouts offer a balance between collaborative areas and private workspaces. For a hybrid layout, consider utilizing quiet spaces or conference rooms as secluded spaces for private business matters. This may be especially pertinent if you often hold meetings with clients.
Planning for growth and flexibility is also important. Designing an office space that can easily adapt to changing needs or accommodate team expansion will increase the longevity of your space plan.
This could be implementing modular furniture that can be reconfigured as needed, leaving room for additional workstations, or designing multipurpose areas that can serve different functions as the company evolves.
Furniture Selection and Placement
After establishing your company and employee needs, it’s time to select and place your office furniture. The type of furniture you choose depends on many different factors. Comfort may be a priority for you, for which ergonomic solutions would be a great fit.
Everett Office Furniture carries a variety of ergonomics, including leading brands like The Hon Company and The Global Furniture Group. Our specialists will guide you through an informed purchase.
Perhaps you need furniture for reception seating, or you’d like to incorporate a lounge area for employees to take a break. Browse Everett Office Furniture’s selection of lounge seating. With a variety of different colors and options, we have the right fit for you.
Either way, it’s important to find a furniture supplier that provides a wide selection and can assist you in making an informed purchase. Everett Office Furniture makes all sales in store so that you can see and test products before you buy.
We are dedicated to helping you find the office furniture you need. We also provide commercial furniture installation accompanying a purchase. Let us take care of the heavy lifting (literally) so you can focus on the fun part: incorporating aesthetics and creativity.
Encouraging Creativity and Productivity
Your office space plan doesn’t stop at furniture placement. While the kind of furniture you use is arguably the most important part of this journey, there are small steps you can take to bring your work environment to the next level.
Natural light is a huge mood booster for workers. Maximizing natural light as much as possible can improve mood, productivity, and enhance the workplace. Warm artificial lighting is a great alternative if you don't have natural lighting to work with. It tends to be soothing and more visually appealing than fluorescent lights.
Enhancing aesthetics also plays a significant role in creating a visually appealing and inspiring environment. Incorporating artwork, plants, and vibrant colors is a great way to create a warm and welcoming environment.
Office space planning is crucial but can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Consulting a design specialist ensures your office space is strategically designed in a way that aligns with your goals, budgetary requirements, and scheduling needs.
Everett Office Furniture offers office space planning services. Our team of professionals guide you through every step, from planning to design and installation. Leveraging years of experience and deep industry knowledge, we will help you create an office floor plan and layout that enhances productivity. Learn more about our office space planning services.