Are you going through a major renovation in your office? Or are you relocating soon and you want to make sure your new workspace would be as functional as possible? Sometimes, redesigning the office doesn’t even need to have a reason. After all, functionality needs no further explanation since it’s a crucial component in any work environment.
Ensuring Functionality in Your Office Design
When you say an office design should be ‘functional,’ what first comes to your mind? Is it the overall décor? Could it be the furniture and devices used in the space? Actually, a functional office design is all these and more. Being functional means supporting the organization by enhancing workflow and facilitating interaction among team members.
To make sure your redesigning and renovation end up being functionally correct, here are some tips you can remember:
Secure An Easy Access To All Areas
Offices should be designed in a way that all areas are easy to access and navigate by everyone. Necessary amenities shouldn’t be scattered on each floor as much as possible. For example, you might have to think twice about placing the kitchen on the 3rd or 4th floor knowing that employees will need to ride elevators or take flights of stairs before getting there.
If you prefer to have metal stairs incorporated in the design, make sure they have non-slip surfaces to avoid accidents or injuries. Consult with a professional contractor for commercial establishments first before finalizing your design, particularly if your new office is in a high-rise building.
Minimize Clutter
If you don’t want your employees spending hours looking for a document or the equipment they need while working, make sure the office design utilizes a minimalist or clutter-free layout. Keep in mind, an organized workspace is a functional workspace. Get rid of items you no longer need. As soon as you relocate or start using your new office, avoid piling up items that aren’t necessary as they’ll only end up collecting dust in the office.
Documents and other data could be stored digitally to save space. It’ll also make the system easier to access for everyone. Doorways should be free of obstructions such as desks or cabinets. Keep a storage box or drawer for objects you use more often so you can easily reach for them.
Consider Your Employees’ Level of Comfort
Employees can’t work productively if they’re not comfortable, so you need to consider this when designing the office. This is where ergonomic chairs and desks come into the picture. Since they’re most likely to sit at their desks for most of their shifts, they need reclining chairs to ensure they won’t endure chronic back and shoulder pain. If you have the budget, you may also look into purchasing standing desks so employees can have an alternative work position at any time.
Invest in high-quality office furniture that won’t only ensure comfort but also increase productivity and functionality. Your meeting chairs and tables, for example, should be sturdy and flexible enough to accommodate all members of the organization. Computers and other gadgets should also be updated regularly so the team can use them without any hassle or delay. This makes the workflow smoother, resulting in a more productive routine.
Let There Be Light
As much as furniture and office layout are important, lighting is also another aspect you shouldn’t forget if you want to attain a functional office design. The amount of light any workspace receives determines the level of productivity that can be achieved on any given day. Bad lighting can result in eyestrain, headache, fatigue, and even irritability among colleagues and associates. At times, dark lighting can even induce depression.
To boost your office’s functionality, make sure there’s enough lighting for the workspace. Install natural light bulbs in common areas. If the budget allows for it, you can also place several floor lamps in various corners. Another option is to optimize natural sunlight when available. Let natural light gets in during the day to create a warmer and more functional atmosphere.
Takeaways
There are several things you can do to make your office design better. First, you need to make sure the ease of access is available for everyone and not just for yourself. Second, minimize clutter as much as possible because an unorganized workspace doesn’t help boost productivity.
You also need to consider the level of comfort of your employees when choosing furniture and other items for the office. Lastly, check the lighting options to brighten the office and make the atmosphere livelier and more conducive to work.
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