Office Layout and Space Planning How we can add value to your office space
Increase Your Business Productivity with Effective Office Layout and Space Planning
Most people don’t give much thought to their environment when they go to the office every day. It is, however, a fact that the environment or office surroundings that people find themselves in for a large portion of the day can greatly affect the happiness, morale, and productivity of a person. Some people may be affected in a negative way without even realising it, which could then make them less productive.
The things that can negatively affect the office environment include bad lighting, noise, ineffective temperature regulation, space limitations, lack of privacy, dysfunctional office furniture, lack of communal spaces, old technology, and being far away from the equipment that forms a necessary part of their jobs. Bad office design is, therefore, a contributing factor to lack of productivity. On the positive side, good office layout and space planning can increase productivity and the morale of staff members.
There is, however, no standard approach to office layout and space planning, because all buildings and businesses are different. Here we provide some tips on how to determine the best design for your particular office:
Consult your employees: Because your employees are the people who have to spend all day in the office, they are the best people to ask about their preferred office layout and space planning. They may point out certain factors that you may not be aware of, and in return, they feel appreciated and listened to, which immediately boosts their confidence in the business. It is usually best to have personal meetings rather than an email survey. One-on-one conversations will work best, but if there isn’t enough time, having an open team meeting about this issue can work very well. It is, however, necessary that their suggestions are carried out and worked into any new office layout and space planning. If a certain idea cannot be applied practically, they need to receive an explanation as to why it is impractical, or they will feel that they have not been listened to.
Reflect the brand: Your office layout has to be representative of what the business stands for. Your interior acts as a communication tool that conveys the character of the company to employees and clients. It is a very effective method to promote the culture of the company to everyone who encounters it. Ensure that the colours, types of office furniture, and the office layout open a channel of communication. Think of alternative ways in which you can translate your mission statement and company identity through your office furniture and layout in order to represent your brand.
Provide choice and autonomy: Different jobs will have different requirements. If someone has to use the photocopy machine on a regular basis, ensure that they are placed close to the relevant equipment. If you regularly need collaboration, create open spaces that encourage group participation. An informal café-type space creates the ideal environment for collaboration and communication. Conference rooms should be comfortable and easily accessible for meetings and private conversations. Workspaces have to be designed for the tasks that the person has to carry out. There has to be a choice between private and open spaces.
Consider ergonomics: Given the amount of time that employees spend in the office, providing them with office furniture and an office layout that promotes comfort and ease of movement can increase productivity immensely. A lot of office furniture is bought purely for aesthetic reasons, but investing in ergonomic designs that will actually assist your employees while performing their assigned tasks can make a huge difference. Enough space has to be provided for freedom of movement, workstation design has to take ergonomics into account, and furniture has to be designed to prioritise comfort and ease. The lighting should also be adequate, workstations have to face the right way to avoid screen glare, and chairs and desks have to be at the correct height for the particular individual who works with them.
You have to make the most of your office layout and space planning to encourage productivity and comfort. Ensure that your brand is represented by your interior, and employ the help of experts to get your office layout and space planning done correctly. If you need help with this, contact our team at Quantum Office Furniture. We have all the expertise and ergonomically designed office furniture to get it right the first time.
