Great office design is as much an art as painting, drawing or sculpting. There’s a certain amount of creativity than you can inject into your office design, but it has to be coherent if you want others to understand what you’re trying to do. It’s easier said than done, and you typically need to hire a specialist in order to get something that looks great and works great.
It’s not easy to switch your office layout if you’re already in an office, but if you’re starting up a new business, then it’s very important that you get your office layout right on the first pass before you decide to invite your employees in. This is because the office culture and workflow should be established within the first week so that your staff don’t have to adjust to constant changes throughout their time working with you. If you get it right the first time, then you won’t ever have to worry about future office renovations.
But what kind of things should you be looking for, and how can you plan your office for efficiency as well as style? Read on to find out.
Location
We all know that the location of your office plays a huge role in your credibility as well as the type of staff you can hire. If you set up an office in the middle of a desert with no employee and a horrible internet connection, then don’t expect to be taken seriously outside of your local area and don’t expect to get the most qualified staff. Make sure the location you pick has a lot of people searching for jobs and great amenities.
Furnishing
Modern-looking offices are all the rage due to their simple colours, comfortable furnishings and relaxing atmosphere. If you don’t have a clue about design and decor, then consider speaking to an expert such as Facility Services Group in order to get an idea of what you should be aiming for. Keep in mind that modern furnishing might be expensive, but it’s worth the investment unless you plan to move to a different office in the future.
Technology
Your business isn’t going to get very far if you don’t have the correct technology. Computers and an internet connection are good places to start, but depending on your business you might need to buy some more machines. For instance, if you plan to do digital art or video editing, you’re going to need powerful computers and perhaps digital tablets to use with those computers.
Layout
Large open layouts invite employees to be distracted. However, if your business relies on cooperation between your employees, then it’s a good idea to knock down walls and give your members of staff a clear line of sight to their team members so that they can communicate with each other. However, if each employee works on their own tasks, then you might want to raise the walls a bit so they aren’t as easily distracted by each other and can focus on their work.