Research has found that 83% of businesses now want employees back in the office, so companies must prioritise having a welcoming and well-designed workplace to help ensure that employees want to come and work in the space. However, an office doesn’t need to be big, as long as it is well-designed.
According to a recent report strong office design can make employees up to 33% happier at work. If workers feel happy in their office surroundings then they are less likely to be stressed at work. This is why it’s so important to have well-designed offices instead of sterile workspaces. Uncomfortable offices that aren’t optimised for best working practices affect staff morale and reduce productivity. If you don’t have the budget to move to a bigger space, then we would recommend hiring an office design specialist with experience to strategically transform the space.
The EDB approach
Before beginning any project, the consultation phase is key for understanding and defining exactly what the client wants and discussing design ideas. The consultation phase also allows for the opportunity to discuss what makes your business different, your ambitions for growth and expansion, and what you need from your new workspace and why.
After the consultation phase, the design stage is where we select the different furniture, colour palettes and layout of the space. It is important to understand the client’s vision and have experience with different design techniques of how we can make your workspace appear bigger to make the most of a smaller space.
Key considerations when designing a small office space
Multi-functional furniture and strategic placements
In a small office space, it is essential to choose the right type of furniture that is not going to take up a lot of space and at the same time is functional and comfortable. The ultimate objective of multi-functional products is to utilise your space and enhance the functionality within your premises. Examples of multi-functional products include folding furniture, standing tables and shared desks. If you don’t have the space for quiet zones, then you can use the likes of acoustic chairs or pods to help with quiet focused work without taking up too much of the office space.
Additionally, when choosing cabinets and storage units, think vertically. Use up as much vertical space as you can, even if it means the furniture gets up to the ceiling. We would also recommend keeping the furniture like desks, cubicles and sofas away from the walls because it can make your office look congested.
Smart design choices with furniture, placement and layout can not only demonstrate a level of creativity that positively reflects your business to employees, clients and other businesses, but it can also help with minimising the costs of fitting out your space. If you can’t find the right size of furniture, then you can always have it custom-made.
Breakout spaces
An effective breakout room is important to adapt to the evolving dynamics of the modern workforce. Breakout spaces serve many purposes such as providing a space for informal catch-ups and meetings, a space to greet visitors and clients, and a relaxing area for employees at lunchtime. A breakout room doesn’t need to be huge, as you can strategically place furniture to section off specific zones in your office space.
Utilise minimalist design
When designing small offices, a minimalist design is an effective way to make the most of your workspace. A more minimalist interior design approach involves using the bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space. It’s characterised by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with colour used as an accent. Neutral and light colours help to make your office appear less busy and create a calm atmosphere. Colours such as beige, white and grey can make an office feel more open and airy. If you can add neutral furniture to your office, we would recommend Boss Designs as they have collections of high-quality, neutral furniture which would help to elevate your office design.
Keep your spaces clutter-free
Not only does a clutter-free and tidy workspace give a good impression to clients, but only having essential items in your office can help make the most of your space and improve employee wellbeing. Having clutter-free desks provides a clean and organised environment that minimises distractions. When your workspace is clear, you can focus more easily on the tasks at hand and maintain better concentration.
Specific storage solutions can be a great option to declutter your office. We would recommend storage walls or lockers, coat hooks and whiteboards to help keep your space organised.
Open shelving
Cabinets can make a space feel closed off and confided, especially if they are a dark colour. Having open shelves literally helps to open up your space for more natural light, without taking away the storage space you need.
Strategic lighting
Exposure to natural light helps our bodies to produce vitamin D, improves our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, helps us to focus and even makes us happier. Not only does natural lighting in offices have health benefits, but it can also make small offices feel bigger. Strategically placing lights in corners, whether they are ceiling or wall lights, will make sure the entire floor area of the room is illuminated, making it appear larger than it actually is. We also recommend staying away from floor lamps and desk lamps which will clutter your office and installing wall lights instead.
Mirrors
Mirrors are an easy addition to create the illusion of more space and depth and can make a small room look larger. When it comes to office design, a rule of thumb is the bigger the mirror, the larger a room will feel.
Trust the experts
If you want to make the most of your small office, onboarding a commercial fit out company is key to ensure that the process runs smoothly. At EDB, we can help businesses with future-focused office design, encouraging employees to want to return to the office, as well as improving employee wellbeing, attracting new talent and increasing employee retention.
If you are considering a new office and want to explore your options, or even if you want to relocate or refurbish, then please get in touch with our expert team and we will be happy to advise.
