A good office design can increase the
productivity of your employees and benefit you in more than one way. It is
essential to give planning of an office design enough of thought. You may
certainly have your idea of how your dream office should be, but it is always advisable
to consult a professional before you make your plan final and you will never
have to regret.
An employee is spending 8 to 10 hours
every in the office, and so it is essential that office interior should look
good, but also increase the comfort levels and make an employee feel at home.
The traditional layout consisted of closed spaces with cubicles. With the
passing of time there has been a vast change in this mindset and most businesses
tend to opt for open spaces. You first need to plan what works best for you.
Few
tips to be considered before you plan an office design:
- Enough and More of light
Offices which have a dark
and cluttered look tend to be a big ‘put-off’ for the employees. The initial
factor to be considered is to ensure there is more and enough of natural light
flowing in. For this requirement of natural light, you can think of having
glass walls instead of the traditional cement or laminated walls.
- Consider Space
Large desks can be helpful
to increase the productivity of the employees. Besides this, there should be
enough space for circulation. The employee should be able to walk around
without banging into another desk or chair. Cramped space also disturbs others
when one staff walks around.
- Design based on activity
It is essential to design
your office in accordance to the frequency of the required activity. Some
examples are shared desk spaces, open tables, research centers, cafes and
private enclaves. In short, whatever job needs to be done requires a specific space.
The design needs to be implemented in accordance to the activities of your
office.
- Invest in the Right furniture
Functionalities very important in an office space design. The storage space, desk and
shelves should be chosen according to the need. The chairs opted for should be
comfortable. Employees tend to spend a lot of their working hours sitting in
their chair and an uncomfortable chair can cause back pain within a few days
reducing their productivity.
- Rid of the Clutter
Even the most expensive
furniture can look out of place if you try to fit it in. It is advisable to
encourage your employees to have a desk which is paper-free. Create a system so
that all the important documents are well organized. This ensures you do not
waste time looking for files and folders. There should be enough cabinets under
the table so that everything is filed in a proper manner and nothing is left
strewn or stacked on the table.
- Wires and Cords
Design your office in such
a way that all the wires and cords are concealed. Hanging wires or even cords
can be the cause of small accidents. Besides which, they offer a cluttered look
to the office. Wires and cords also prevent proper cleaning of dust as
housekeeping staff may not be able to sweep or vacuum the space where wires and
cables are lying on the floor.
- The Right Color
Color can make all the
difference to a person’s mood. Ensure you choose the colors which work well for
the required office space design. Blue can help in the stimulation of the mind
while yellow tends to inspire creativity and green helps create a calming
effect. Lighter and brighter colors help keep the ambience lively and refreshing.
Do not go for black, deep brown, dark green that drains your freshness and
enthusiasm.
Following
the above-mentioned tips can help in the increase of productivity. Employees
find it convenient to use technology. This should be incorporated in an office
design. An ideal office design tends to enhance the value of your brand as it
reflects the type of business you are operating. Besides, it can create a
long-lasting impression on your clients. Choose a designer who can offer you an
apt office design so that you can stimulate not just the staff, but also the
customers and clients who visit the office. It is wiser to spend that little
bit more and go on to make a productive office atmosphere than waste money,
time and effort by saving money with a shoddy interior work that puts off
anyone who steps in day in and day out.