Tips on Designing Your Office Space to Upgrade Work Productivity
Archie Richards
Table of Contents
If you’ve upgraded from your home office to an actual office, congratulations! Moving your business to an actual office is a big leap for most business start-ups and small business owners. Setting up your business in an office rental is a big responsibility. Most of the time, you get an empty office space without the furnishings and layout. Think of it as a blank canvas. You have lots of room to design and create an office layout that will increase productivity and become beneficial for your business.
What factors should be considered in looking for an office rental?
An office rental refers to paying an amount of money, monthly or yearly, to have the right to use space for business operations or as an office. For businesses who want to expand their operations beyond their home or those who want to shift from a virtual office to a physical office, an office rental is a great option for small business owners and start-ups. So, you’ve decided to expand; now what? Looking for an office for rent may not be easy if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Here are some of the factors that business owners should take into consideration when searching for the right office space.
- Choose the right and strategic location that will help your business
- Consider your budget and canvass office rentals in your area of choice
- Think about how long you will rent the office space if it’s short-term or long-term
- Double-check the amenities that are non-negotiable for your business
- Check if you need a pre-designed or furnished office or if you need an empty office rental
- Confirm if there is strong connection to the internet
How does an office space rental benefit your business?
Operating from the comfort of your home can save you lots of money, but it may pose a huge roadblock on your road to success. Renting office space can become a game changer for your business, giving you more opportunities to reach your target market and increase sales. How does renting an office help your business grow? Although working from home can provide flexibility, renting a private office space allows you and your employees to focus 100% on the job, increasing productivity immensely. Some of the biggest benefits that renting an office space can give your business include saving money on overhead costs, fostering teamwork and team synergy, giving you privacy with fewer interruptions and distractions, boosting individual and team productivity, reaching your clients better, and getting support in real-time.
Is it better to buy an office space or rent one?
If you have enough funds to purchase an office space, it could be so tempting to do so. Don’t make rushed decisions and explore the advantages and disadvantages of renting an office space versus buying one. Purchasing an office space can put a lot of weight on your shoulders. You have to consider the cost, size of the space, location, maintenance expenses, and layout are all streamlined with the needs and requirements of your business. If you feel like these are too much for you to handle, it might be time to consider renting a flexible office space, especially if you want to leave room for adjustment later on. Office rentals often give you the flexibility to rent space for the time period that you need and allow you to save money by charging you much less than what you need to shell out if you buy an office space. At Storage Glen Iris, we can offer you affordable office spaces of different sizes that you can rent without the burden of fixed and lengthy contracts!
How much office space do I need?
While setting up the conditions for renting an office space can be challenging, finding a perfectly-sized office rental poses another hurdle for many business owners. Estimating how much office space your business will require can be computed by asking yourself the following questions:
- Do you want more space for each employee, or do you want more employees in a space?
- Are you thinking about individual workstations or open workspaces?
- Do your employees need their own desks?
- How many employees will be working full-time?
- Do you have departments that need their own areas?
- How do you want to use the office space?
A high-density office allots 80-150 sqft, average density offices allot 150-250 sqft per employee, while low-density offices provide each employee with 250-500 sqft. If you want a rough estimate, you can multiply the number of employees by the size of the space.
What are some tips in office designing and layout planning to boost productivity?
Now, you’ve got your office rental all sorted out. The next thing you have to do is create the perfect layout and office design so you can optimize the office space to your advantage. Here are some tips on how you can foster productivity and purpose in your workplace.
1. Make use of natural light
Because employees spend most of the day inside an office, it might be hard to get some vitamin D! If you can do something about it, keep windows open to allow more sunlight.
2. Keep clutter out of the bay
An office filled with clutter is counterproductive. It can distract employees and rob them of the time they need to focus on their job. Don’t let your employees spend their working hours trying to clear stuff or find things they need. Create functional and spacious storage spaces that are labeled so nothing gets lost.
3. Choose a theme and colour scheme that increases comfort
Choosing a colour scheme for your office can be tricky, especially if you want it to match your business theme. The colour scheme of your office can affect your staff’s productivity by either distracting them or making them focus more.
4. Install multi-functional storage spaces
Say goodbye to your mess and say hello to a clearer mind! Having accessible and properly allotted and labeled storage spaces give your employees a chance to clear their heads, save time, and keep their work organised throughout the day.
5. Get some green in!
If you spend most of your day inside a closed space, it will be refreshing to see some greenery inside the office. Place air-purifying plants all over the office to help with cleaning the air and increase relaxation.
6. Talk to your team
Communication is a big part of your company’s success. By listening to the needs of your employees, you will be able to create a more productive space that addresses their concerns.
7. Create multiple workspaces
Your employees are assigned different tasks that may need different kinds of workspaces. It’s good to design an office space that considers this. Make room for conference rooms, break-out rooms, mini offices, and more. This can boost efficiency, improve employee engagement, and give them the freedom to work comfortably as needed.
Renting an Office Space FAQ
You won’t be surprised at why companies invest in prime-located office spaces. There’s a reason behind this. By placing your business in an area where your business can get more sales, have more client traffic, and reach more customers, you’re giving your business a better chance to grow.
Carefully designing and planning your office space can direct your business to higher productivity and success by:
- increasing employee productivity and efficiency
- promoting teamwork
- boosting employee morale and confidence
- promoting and living your company’s values and culture
