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WorldExecutivesDigest.com | Great Tips for Office Fitout | The pandemic has impacted almost every single aspect of our private and professional lives. Things have changed so much that it is highly unlikely we’ll ever go back to the way things were just two years ago. Among the changes introduced recently are also those related to maximizing your office space. With space restrictions imposed, the challenge of maintaining or hopefully boosting productivity is immense. So, what is it that you need to know if you’re planning to redesign your office following the new requirements?
More light, if possible
It’s been known for a long time that natural light is the best. It lifts the spirits and productivity levels, makes spaces brighter, bigger and airier. That’s why you need to make the most of your windows and the natural light and position an area that is most used where the best light is. Also, since we now need to ventilate offices more than ever, it makes perfect sense to introduce as many windows as possible. It’s not always easy to do this, to be honest. For example, west-facing windows may make the space too hot or too bright, thus less pleasant to work in.
Colors and lighting
Another important aspect to consider is the choice of colors and lighting. Just like the natural light, light paint colors make a room brighter and more open, since they are more reflective. Similarly, lighting has a great impact on any space. You need to carefully choose both the intensity and color of your light globes, and always opt for the most eco-friendly options. This is especially important if you don’t have enough natural light. Cool lights are great for anything clinical or offices where people have to focus. On the other hand, warm lights are perfect for cafes, diners and restaurants, as it helps people feel hungry.
Storage
Even though business have been trying to reduce the amount of paper used, for example, there is still an issue related to storage. Experts in modern commercial fitouts recommend avoiding using square footage on large cabinets and shelves. Instead, you might consider tailoring shelves into empty spaces, turning empty or unused spaces into storage (under stair, in nooks,…), finding spots to use as cubby holes, using floating shelving units that go up the wall, rather than horizontally. Logically, every space is unique and you need to consider the opportunities your space offers. If you don’t feel confident enough, consult a local expert.
Make the space dynamic
If possible, you should have spaces serving more than one function, since they are used more and able to adapt to the business’ needs. The space needs to be fluid to be able to adapt and you need to use every opportunity to create such spaces, since they will help you have state-of-the-art premises, which are also highly functional.
Movable furniture
Long gone are the days of heavy, immobile furniture items. Now is the era of dynamic furniture, i.e. items that can be moved around easily and which can serve multiple purposes. Modern companies use hot desks, digital and paperless office solutions, which means fewer items, which is something multi-purpose furniture fully supports. Also, with movable furniture you’ll be readier, and you won’t have to redesign the space.
Decluttering
This is a tip that could also top this list. The easiest way to fill up a space is to have clutter. Likewise, if you want to make more space, the easiest thing is to declutter, i.e. get rid of all the items you no longer need. That is why you should throw out or repurpose all those things you no longer need or use. Having less stuff in your workspace will definitely boost productivity.
It goes without saying that your budget will determine how many changes you can make to your workspace, but you need to be aware that thinking outside the box can help you get the results you need without investing heavily. If, however, you are not that creative, you can always turn to professionals in office fitout, who should be able to help you, but you need to know what you want and need, so that they can provide the most optimal suggestion. In any case, making workspace less cluttered, more fluid and dynamic and using bright colors will definitely have a positive impact on both the appearance of your office and the mood of everyone in it.
