Maximizing Space and Comfort in a Small Office

While no one is really fond of small spaces, sometimes we can’t avoid them. You might find yourself stuck in a small space due to cost or availability. Working in a small or cramped space isn’t something anyone looks forward to. Employees are usually victims of circumstance. It’s hard to create designated spaces to work in. It can be difficult to create flow. However, a small office doesn’t always mean a small opportunity. It’s possible to get the most out of your space. But how can you house your employees in a small office while maintaining an ideal working environment?

There are several ways to approach small office design. For some, it might better suit a company’s needs. They might operate on a small budget. They might have fewer employees. Maybe employees have staggered in-office times. Every company has different obligations to their employees. However, it’s the companies that have no choice that struggles the most.

Maximizing Space

Maximizing space means getting the most out of the space you have to work with. Large bulky single-purpose furniture does the exact opposite of this. Furniture that serves multiple purposes can help limit the need for more. From storage solutions to work surfaces, the more purposes a single piece can serve, the less space it will seem to take.

Some of the key furniture pieces take up the most space. Storage units can be cumbersome. Work surfaces can be static. Some collaboration furniture might not easily adapt to different needs. Furniture needs to be able to adapt the way we do. Very rarely do employees show up, do the same job, and go home. Whether it’s the client, the task, or even coworkers with different working styles, our surroundings should adapt with us.

Multi-functional Furniture

Furniture should be adaptable. It should be able to accommodate multiple people efficiently. Furniture should be able to evolve. Without this ability, furniture would need to be updated often with every new employee, task, or hurdle a company faces.

One of the most common places where multifunctional furniture shines is in the hybrid office. Often designed for many uses, the hybrid office pulls elements of occasional attendance, shifting environments, and remote work to create an office that meets all of a company’s needs. Mobile and adaptable furniture is a cornerstone of the hybrid and the small office. Adaptability can help you and your team to accommodate others as needed as well as work efficiently and effectively.

3 Design Tips for Small Office Layouts

Open Layouts and Clear Flow

An open layout in a small office removes the need for barricades, walls, and bulky dividers. Preventing employees from seeing the rest of the office or others, can make the office feel closed off or cramped. It also lets employees move freely about the office. Preventing employees from feeling cramped can help them create connections with others and work in a more open and fostering environment. This can result in increased spontaneity leading to impromptu brainstorming sessions and faster communication and exchange of ideas.

Open layouts also offer improved visibility and oversight. Without sectioned-off workspaces found in larger offices, management has the ability to oversee employees and monitor performance more easily. While increased supervision might not always have a positive impact, if not abused, the ability to oversee employees and their operations can help them stay on track and meet deadlines in tighter situations.

Color and Lighting for Small Offices

We often think of color and lighting as an option to bring a pop of personality or culture into the office. Natural lighting is one of the most common tools in making a space larger. Natural light can make an area feel more spacious with strategically placed windows or mirrors in order for light to reach the “boxed-off” spaces. Different types of lighting can also have different impacts on a small office. Using a combination of lighting methods or “layered lighting” lets different methods complement each other. This method helps reduce shadows throughout while highlighting specific areas in the office.

Bright colors can make spaces feel larger and more sprawling. For example, incorporating bright colors like whites and light greys into the office can help the natural light reach darker sectioned-off areas of the office. The color scheme impacts how big or small the office feels. A very busy or over-stimulating color scheme can have the same impact on people as a cluttered space can. The contrast that busy color schemes create can create the illusion of chopped-up or sectioned spaces.

Using color and lighting techniques to make a space feel bigger can lead to a bright, fresh space that’s easy to work in. Neglecting the proper use of color and natural lighting can lead to employees working in what feels like a restricted closed-off space.

Creating Big Zones in Small Spaces

Offices are made of different zones. Regardless of the size of the office, there are sections of the office that have different uses. Just because you might be forced to work out of a smaller office doesn’t mean your office has to be void of these zones. Having less than adequate space might prevent you from creating these zones. However, they’re more important than ever.

Designating spaces in the office creates intentional areas that give employees the space they need. Should employees need space to collaborate, they should have an open, accommodating area. If they need focused areas in an open space, they might need acoustic pods. If they need a social area to connect with others, they might benefit from a recreation area.

Touro University Worldwide featured an article about the impact that different office environments have on employees. Intentional areas have their own place in the office. Whether you’re creating coworking spaces or private offices, each space has its purpose. A study from U.S. News showcased the impact that our workspaces have on us.

Every area should count. All spaces should be intentional. Color and lighting should complement and define a space. The layout should create a cohesive, seamless office space that can help employees work efficiently and effectively.

 

Contact StrongProject today to learn about how we can help you with your office design.

 

Want to learn more about design trends and tips? Check out these related posts.

The post Maximizing Space and Comfort in a Small Office appeared first on Modern Office Furniture.



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