Designing an office space requires may factors to be taken into consideration. From the position of the furniture to lighting requirements and desk layout, there are many factors to get right. It can be both a daunting and exciting task and here are some important elements to consider when designing your new office:
Light levels and greenery
For optimum levels of productivity, getting the light right is really important. Natural light is best as human vision is designed to adjust with changes in natural light, so it’s better for us than artificial lighting. Fluorescent lighting can cause headaches, feelings of claustrophobia and eye strain. Natural light also improves melatonin production, which effects how alert and awake you feel. Better exposure to natural light helps people feel more focused, alert and more productivity. Artificial lighting has the opposite effect.
Plants and natural elements have a calming effect and are good for making people feel more positive and productive. Consider introducing interesting areas of greenery and unique elements that could include stone, shells, water or flowers, for example.
The right amount
Ensure that you factor in enough space for your business needs. Whether you opt for cubicles, work stations or an open plan office, employees must be able to move around freely and without restraint. Use a fit out company who will understand your requirements and have a good grasp of space use and management for the needs of your business. An Office Fit out Company like https://mobiusatwork.co.uk is a great choice.
Not only is this a matter of practicality but also of safety. Should a fire break out or some other type of emergency situation, people need to have enough space to exit the building as quickly and safely as possible.
Storage needs
Storage is often overlooked when designing office space but it’s essential. As well as the move towards paperless operations like cloud storage, you’ll still need physical storage that makes the most of the available space you have. Choosing the right furniture for adequate and organised storage is important.
Cleaning
Another point to consider in office design is making the space easy to keep clean and healthy. It’s a less tangible factor but still holds importance as it affects the future image of the office and the efficiency of employees in the long run.
Top quality furniture
Businesses are often tempted to cut corners when it comes to furniture but remember that you get what you pay for. By choosing cheaper alternatives, you can be setting yourself up for a culture of staff who feel uninspired, lower productivity and higher sick day figures. Ergonomic office furniture is vital and a wise investment for business owners designing a new office. Choose wisely with workstations too and do plenty of research into what will suit your staff best and fits in with the available space and existing culture of the office.