How to optimise your office space and boost productivity

Often employees spend around 40 hours a week in an office. If your office is organised effectively, it can help productivity levels, well being and financial success. However, if your office is not organised effectively it can cause corporate resentment, high stress, anxiety, backaches and worsened vision. 

Designing an office space requires more than simply rearranging desks. Get ready to choose furniture, plan an effective layout with enough floor space to move around and manipulate lighting. Whether your current office needs changing or you are moving to a new location, continue reading to find out how to design an ideal office space for your business. 

Create a plan

Before planning the new design of your office, you will need to decide on your budget and the costs. You will need to decide whether you will design your own office or if you will hire an interior designer, this will depend on cost and time. You will also need to consider the requirements of your company and employees. 

Get comfortable furniture

Before rearranging your furniture, you should consider whether it is beneficial to even keep. If the furniture is too old or broken this could cause employees health issues such as migraines, back pain or eye strain. Invest in chairs featuring padded material, swivel mechanisms and armrest variations. 

Prioritise variety

All offices should offer variety. This could include collaboration areas, quiet areas and in some offices even a games area. This adds flexibility in a workspace and can help employees perform to a high standard, they can work in a way that suits them. 

Technological requirements

If you are unsure, discuss with the engineering or IT department before arranging your office to ensure each employee can connect with the technology that they need. Consider wifi routers, screens, projectors, printer locations and storage. 

Throughout the process consider your employees

When employees are given the freedom to choose where they work or the layout of their own desk, it can lead to increased job satisfaction.

Design collaboration spaces

Collaboration spaces can be great for group work, this could be a different part of the office with a group of chairs in a circle or a different room with computers set on a table. Collaboration spaces make a modern alternative to meeting in an employee’s or manager’s office. 

Consider the lighting

Lighting can affect people’s health, mood and productivity. Natural light will be preferable but this is not always possible. In the spaces with little natural light you could consider natural light imitators such as ceiling lights or desk lamps. 

Create a separate space for relaxing

Taking breaks throughout the day is important to employees. Try creating a space that does not include any computers or work related items so that employees can fully get away from work on their breaks. 

Office temperature

This can be a difficult issue as employees may prefer different temperatures. However, temperature should still be considered throughout the office and different rooms may need different temperatures. 

Create some open spaces

Too much furniture in one space might be too crowded and can make the office difficult to move around. Leave enough space for people to easily walk around the room or gather in a group.

Brand identity

Including your branding throughout the office helps to reinforce a company’s mission and values. Brand identity can also represent the way an organization is viewed by consumers and employees. 

Growth

When designing your office you should also consider plans for growth, do you plan on hiring more employees within the next few months? Is there enough space for their desks? Organise your office space and consider your future plans so that you will not have to redecorate the office again in the near future. 

Boosting productivity

Having an organised desk may not seem like a big deal but it is suggested that this can boost productivity. A desk space scattered with files, random items and papers increases procrastination and deters productivity. It is important to keep your workspace organised and create a pleasing environment. Tips for organisation; 

• Desktop zero – Organise your digital and physical workspace at the start and end of each day
  
• Keep the environment in mind – Don’t hoard paper
  
• Use metadata for important data – Instead of wasting time looking for different things, ensure your work is organised so you can identify what you need straight away.
  

Organising digital files

• Apply metadata
  
• Conduct file audits
  
• Create company best practices
  
• Archive outdated assets
  

Colour psychology can also help make an office visually appealing and boost productivity. Warmer colors are suggested to increase blood pressure and heart rate whereas, cooler tones help soothe or calm. Blue and green colours can improve performance, focus and efficiency so could be incorporated in your office space. 

Take a look at our workplace brand identity page.