Top 5 Office Design Tips

How effective is the design of your office or other workplace? Can it even be said to have been designed? Sadly the answer to both questions in many cases will be no. Businesses evolve and consequently so to do business environments. This is understandable, but it can lead to ineffective workplaces that fail to portray the right impression of your company. Little details like selecting the right roller blinds or office furniture can make a big impact, but you will also need to consider basic principles in order to make the best design choices. Our guide will help you get on the right path.

Analyse how your workplace is used

Before you start making your design choices, it is vital that you analyse the space you already have. Which parts of your office do you use the most? How is each area of your workplace used? Are there any redundant areas? Why are they not used? Asking and answering these questions will help you discover what is and isn’t working. You can then use this information as a starting point when it comes to questions of design, layout and functionality.

Consult your employees

Nobody knows your business environment better than the people who work their every day, so you would be foolish not to get their help. Consult with your employees; ask them what they like about your current set up and what drives them crazy. They are bound to have plenty of ideas. Incorporating their suggestions into your design will not only improve the practical function of the workplace but it will also foster good will among your employees, which can only be of help to your business.

Plan for the future

A common design mistake is only to think about the here and now. Businesses evolve and grow so it is vital that when you design your working environments you take this into account and plan for the future. If you don’t, your beautiful and practical workplace is liable to become cramped and dysfunctional before you know it, rendering your hard work and expense completely pointless.

Prioritise light management

Light management is an important part of any interior or exterior design. This is particularly true for businesses, which need to provide comfortable places for their staff to work in and inviting environments to encourage customers. Fortunately, there is a huge range of light management options available for all business types. Solutions such as using a retractable awning or sunroof are great for external areas, allowing you to control your outdoor environment at the touch of a button. Roller blinds are a simple, practical and elegant choice that suits most interior design styles, and blackout blinds are perfect in offices where audiovisual presentations are commonplace.

Reinforce your corporate identity

As well as creating an attractive and functional space, designing a workplace provides you with an opportunity to reinforce your corporate identity. The trick is to make it forceful but not clumsy. Using corporate colours is a good idea; plastering every piece of furniture and wall with the company logo might be taking it too far, however.