The Most Common Office Design Mistakes, How To Avoid Them
Great office design means having a space that you can be happy and proud to walk into every single day. It can help boost your mood, inspire you to do your best, and team up with your colleagues to get some great work done. Bad office design however, will quickly serve as blight on employee morale, enthusiasm and the desire to output your best work.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common office design mistakes that companies make, and how to avoid them. With a little knowledge on your side, you’ll be able to navigate these design pitfalls, and focus on creating a great space for your team.
#1) The Wrong Open Layout
Open office designs have largely divided people down the middle. There are those who think they’re a collaborative space and those who think they’re a mess of distractions and problems. The mistake companies make is focusing 100% on the open concept, without bothering to take into account the needs of employees.
This can be fixed easily by incorporating an agile workspace design into your office environment. Since agile workspaces focus largely on key areas that all serve a different purpose, you can custom-tailor your open office plan to create a versatile work area. Those who require privacy to concentrate may do so, while those working closely in a team will have areas designed to maximize their efficiency.
#2) Too Many People!
Let’s face it – we like our personal space. When employees are packed too tightly within a space, it can have negative effects. People become agitated, uncomfortable and stressed out, which can lead to conflicts, lower productivity, etc.
Designing your office layout means identifying how many people are going to be in it, then taking steps to make sure they have their desired level of elbow room. Incorporating the right office furniture into your design can help, especially if it’s modular in nature, and can be repositioned to create the most optimal layout. Make sure your employees can stretch a bit. It’ll go a long way.
#3) An Underwhelming Break Room
Not every company can afford to have a luxury pool table with a $1500 espresso machine on the side, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a good break room for your employees. When a break is needed, they should have somewhere nice to go to. Unfortunately, many companies envision a break room as a coffee station, and not much else.
To solve this problem, create a nice area for your employees. Provide nice furniture, some pleasant amenities, and most importantly – place it somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of the office floor. A space that lets the mind rest and refocus is vital to creating happy workers.
#4) No Visitor Space
Some companies focus so much on the internals of an office layout that they forget little things, such as the entryway. It’s here that clients, prospective new hires and other key players will have a good first impression about you and your brand. Failure to provide a nicely laid out spot for them can send a very bad signal, as nobody wants to be led into the boardroom and left alone for 15 minutes before the meeting takes place.
As growth builds, and your office expands, be sure to make this a number one priority on your list. After all, growth means being able to show it off, and the privilege of being able to invite prospective new clients to your office is a great opportunity to dazzle them from the moment they walk in.
#5) Bad Lightning
Lighting is king. Use the wrong kind, and it can have drastic repercussions on quality of work, employee morale and aesthetic value. Many companies struggle to get the best lighting. It’s either too dim, or (worse) – much too bright. Either one can trigger headaches, eye strain, or anxiety.
Companies should focus heavily on getting as much natural light into the office space as possible. There’s no denying the health and wellness benefits of natural sunlight, which has been proven to elevate good feelings, vibrance and positivity. The more natural light you have in your office, the less dependent you’ll be on other forms of lighting which can have a negative impact.
The only thing you need for proper office design is a little bit of knowledge, and we hope these tips have given you some insight. If you’re planning on updating your work environment, make sure you invest in all the key areas that make your employees happy, including the right office furniture! Contact us today to learn more!