Office space planning is the process of arranging your office furniture in a way that allows you to maximize space and improve productivity. High-quality office spaces can help motivate and retain staff, and improve performance. In this article, we’ll focus on some of the key factors when designing an office space, and how these can change depending on the size of the space available.
Staff Well being and Business Requirements
Big or small, the main considerations for any corporate office layout are staff well-being and your business requirements.
Firstly, you’ll need to take the size of your team into account. Is everyone in the office every day? Will some have flexible working arrangements? A small office that previously contained six desks for six full-time workers, for example, May now only need to have three shared desks. This frees up space, allowing for a high collaboration table with stools, or perhaps a soft seating area.
Square Footage and Capacity
Another major concern we see when completing office furniture fit outs is available space and capacity. Capacity is the number of people your space comfortably accommodates. You will need to take into account the total square footage and how your business currently allocates it before considering what is best going forward. For example, if you want an open-plan office with rows of desks, a good guideline is to allocate 100 square feet per person. On the other hand, if you’d like a mixture of open desk space and private offices, 150–250 square feet per employee is a good starting point. If you’re working with a much smaller space and a larger team, it may be time to start thinking outside the box.
Collaborative Areas (Even for Small Offices)
A big part of the way your business operates successfully depends on collaboration. Wherever possible, we recommend keeping open areas where team members can gather and talk. Open spaces like this also mean that staff can easily access other parts of the office. Even in small offices and with small teams, collaboration spaces should always be considered in your corporate office layout.
Breakout Spaces
When space is tight, it’s very important to create areas that are practical and can be used in a range of different ways. When it comes to office design, one of the latest trends is to use breakout furniture.
Meeting Rooms
Having a dedicated meeting room is important. The availability of meeting rooms allows your team to focus and be productive without worrying about distractions. That’s why having the ideal meeting room furniture for your particular space (whether big or small) can help create a professional, productive environment.
Acoustic & Quiet Areas
A common concern with open–plan office spaces is the potential for noise. However, this can be resolved easily with the right acoustic office furniture. Good acoustics are a must, and they have been directly linked with employee well being. Acoustic Office Pods and Booths, Floor Standing Screens, Suspended Panels, Wall Mounted Panels and High Back Seating are just some examples of acoustic furniture that should be considered when completing a large-scale office furniture fit out.
Lighting and Temperature
For optimal work in both small and large offices, direct and indirect light should be used. During the office space design process, it is important to ensure that rooms offer an ideal indoor climate (usually around 21°C), regardless of the outside temperature
CS Office Furniture
Regardless of your office size, successful office space planning is key to a happy and healthy workplace. At Office Republic , we’re here to help. Get in touch with our expert space specialists today by calling +92 321 9643535 or email info@officerepublic.pk from meeting room furniture to office acoustics, we’re here to help you take the first step in bringing your office space to life.
