The office environment can have a huge impact on how effectively you and your employees work. If your workplace is designed well, then you can work productively and efficiently. Not only this, but a pleasant office environment can improve morale. After all, you will spend hours at work, so it makes sense to spend those hours in a nice place.
Whether you’re moving to a new office or refurbishing your current office, it makes sense to plan your new office design to make sure that it’s as effective as possible. Here are some tips to help you design your new office.
The Needs of Your Industry
The most important thing to consider when designing your workplace setup is functionality. Every company is different, and every industry has different needs. Speak to your employees, as they have likely picked up on any shortcomings with your current office design and might have practical ideas about how to improve them.
Consider the kind of office you need. For creative work that involves communication and cooperation, an open office plan can help ideas flow. However, if your employees need to focus on a task, then closed offices will prevent distractions.
Aim for an efficient design, so that everything your employees need is easy to access. The office should be well-lit, as poor lighting can lead to slower working speeds and increase the chances of errors, especially if the industry involves manufacturing or a similar manual process.
Budget and Resources
When designing an office, you have to expect to spend some money. While it might be nice to come up with a stunning and sleek office, you do need to consider your current resources and how best to invest them.
If you have a limited budget, then focus on what your office needs, rather than what would be nice to have. Equipment and tools take priority over design features and decorations. With this in mind, you find some cheap ways to decorate your office to still make it a pleasant working environment, without breaking the bank.
Health and Safety
Every commercial space needs to comply with government regulations to make sure that it is a safe place to work. If your office is in an older building, it might be necessary to invest in asbestos surveying to make sure that your office refurbishment won’t uncover any nasty surprises.
You should also keep your office clean and tidy, as clutter can lead to obstacles and trip hazards. Keep any wires out of the way, and consider fire regulations when designing the layout of the office. This way, your employees can feel safe and you won’t be liable for any incidents at work.
Branding
Finally, when designing your offices, you should consider how they look to any outside visitors. Your commercial buildings represent your company, so they should be designed accordingly. Make sure that your company brand can be seen through the design of your offices, perhaps through the colour scheme or other features. When it comes to branding, every detail helps.