Choosing Office Furniture To Fit A Small Workspace
Many companies have aspirations to become ultra-large conglomerates and mega-corporations, but they never start out that way. In fact, many of the world’s most famous corporations and big businesses started out in someone’s basement or garage, growing steadily over the course of many years.
Other companies will never grow beyond a small workspace, and that’s by design. They are able to accomplish their tasks and goals without having to expand outwards into very large warehouses or corporate spaces.
There’s no sense going big if the need isn’t there, which is why many companies like to keep their office waistlines tight. That includes choosing the right office furniture to compliment a small workspace, and maximize its efficiency and operational potential.
PLANNING OUT YOUR WORKSPACE
If your company has a small and cozy workspace, the first step should be to map it out, and identify where everything is going to go. This sometimes means that specific areas may need to share duties in order to get work done, so try to double up similar departments or tasks into a single parcel of the office.
For instance, computer-driven workstation tasks could share the same office room or area, thereby negating the need for too much desk space. If computers are capable of accommodating multiple employees from several different departments, so much the better. The objective is to place employees and departments together which compliment each other, thereby maximizing how each area is used.
UTILIZING PROPER LIGHTING
Lighting has a direct impact on employee morale, and overall workplace efficiency. Therefore, it’s best to utilize the proper lighting that will maximize both, and banish the negatives. If possible, get rid of fluorescent lighting in favor of LEDs, which are much easier on the eyes, and feel more natural.
Second, make sure there’s enough lighting to go around, especially in dark areas with no windows. Speaking of which, try to utilize natural light whenever possible by leveraging available windows to allow sunlight to get through. This can boost productivity in a big way, by rejuvenating employees who otherwise might feel stuck behind four walls and a ceiling.
CHOOSE MODULAR DESKING OPTIONS
Desks are necessary for any office, but choosing the wrong ones for a smaller office space could create problems. Thankfully, many of today’s office furniture manufacturers have adopted a modular approach to their products, which allows companies to customize how desks are laid out. By keeping to this modular theme, companies can quickly tear down and reconfigure their desk layouts to suit new technologies, or new employees joining the team. The more rigid a desking option is, the less versatile it is within a small office space. Modular is the way to go.
Certain office spaces can also benefit from the use of L-shaped desks, which fit employees into corners, allowing foot traffic to move through unabated. Multiple employees can be assigned per L-shaped desking unit to maximize the use of space, and prevent one specific area from being bogged down with too much clutter.
It’s also advisable to choose desking options with a few bells and whistles added in for good measure, such as drawers to store items, and electrical/internet connectivity built into the design. This can save a lot of time when it comes to setting up, while also reducing wire clutter and other unsightly eyesores. Whether your office is large or small, it should look neat, tidy and efficient at all times.
CHOOSE YOUR CHAIRS WISELY
Office chairs don’t need to be super-large and luxurious in order to be comfortable and efficient. Many office furniture manufacturers have chairs that are small, reliable, and base their health benefits on ergonomic science. This can sometimes mean opting for chairs that are more simplistic in terms of aesthetics, yet deliver in all the areas that really count.
Large, bulky office chairs take up more space than is necessary, and bloat the workspace as a result. Streamlined, contemporary office chairs with the proper posture and back support (as well as comfortable seating, naturally) will take up less space, and compliment the overall cleanliness of your layout.
INSPIRATION THROUGH DECORATION
The last thing any small office space needs is clutter, and many companies are guilty of letting the problem get way out of hand. Small offices should be kept neat and tidy, not only for the sake of efficiency, but to wow your clients, and attract new talent.
Decorate with simplicity and elegance in mind, and be sure to sprinkle the workplace with some green, just to keep it feeling organic and fresh. Try to avoid lots of posters, sticky notes and calendars, and focus instead on artwork and decor that suits your company’s brand image and philosophy. Avoid gaudy pieces that overwhelm the space, and draw too much attention to themselves. Stick with elegant, understated and respectable decor that works in tandem with your office layout, rather than against it.
CONCLUSION
The key to decorating a smaller workspace is to leverage its capacity limitations to create something cozy, warm, inviting and efficient. There’s nothing wrong with a small workspace, and in many ways, it can be beneficial. There’s less to fill up, which means more money saved for company operations.
At the same time, that smaller space can epitomize everything your company stands for, and leave a lasting impression on your employees, and your clientele. If you have a small workspace in need of a clever and attractive redesign, make sure to give us a call! Sensyst is on hand to help you maximize your company’s square footage, regardless of how many folks it can accommodate.