If there’s one thing every business owner thinks about on a daily basis, it’s “How do I grow my business.” While there are many aspects to growing a business, one that often gets overlooked is office space. So many businesses struggle for years before finally landing that big account or making that pivotal breakthrough. But when they do, they quickly realize they don’t have the space to fit new hires or equipment.
To make sure lack of space doesn’t hold you back, consider these 3 factors when laying out your office space.
- Property
- Office Furniture
- Layout
Property
When looking for office space, you can’t just think of how it will fit your current situation. You also have to factor in potential growth. This will help you avoid outgrowing your space before your lease is up. Which, in a way, is a good problem to have, since it shows that you’re growing. However, it has the potential to greatly stifle that growth if you stay for too long.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing an office space is the floor plan. Open floor plans offer the most flexibility, making them the best option for fast-growing companies.
Office Furniture
Once you have your space, it’s time to start adding furniture. Taking a minimalistic approach when selecting furniture will help you best utilize your space. By choosing slim, compact furniture to create workspace clusters, you’ll be able to comfortably fit your employees without making the space feel cramped. Openness and breathability are warmly welcomed in any workspace.
Your office furniture should also be easy to rearrange. Being able to reconfigure your furniture is key for accommodating growth. You should also try to choose furniture that matches the personality of your brand. Creating an environment that reinforces the values of your brand will help foster employee empowerment and loyalty.
Layout
Below are a few tips to help you lay out your office space.
- Maximize traffic patterns. It can be tempting to furnish every inch of space with desks to fit as many people as possible, but this can quickly lead to a claustrophobic workspace. You have to leave room for walkways and general openness. Keep this in mind has you grow your business.
- Create team workspaces. If certain team members are always working together, make sure they’re seated close to one another. This will make it easier to collaborate and prevent communication breakdowns through email or shouting across the room. Orienting your workspace around team collaboration will also improve efficiency and hopefully lead to better work.
- Cord placement. While you’re laying out your office, be sure to keep cord management at the back of your mind. You don’t want to end up with a web of wires and cords swirling across the floor. It looks unprofessional and is quite the tripping hazard.
Get Started!
With all this in mind, it’s time to start planning. Organizing your office space can be stressful, but it’s an important thing to do. Just remember to have fun with it and make it your own.
