Office Interior Design Considerations

Opening a new office, or renovating your current office is a considerable project. Either way, it takes money, effort, and time to plan the right office design. The key is to ensure the space is functional and creates an uplifting, productive environment for your employees. You can find success by using the right planning strategies.

We’ve created a list of essentials to consider when designing your new space. Use our list to ensure your office design is a success!

1. Open vs. Private Workspace

In recent years, companies have moved toward collaborative workspaces that allow team members to effectively and efficiently work together on their projects. Offices designed in this way offer an organic, fluid way to work, and they only need a small footprint.

However, studies have shown that these office designs are in fact harming productivity. Some employees thrive in a noisy business workspace; however, there are others who need quiet to focus on their daily tasks. They find it almost impossible to work when they hear their colleague’s conversations, phones ringing, and other distractions.

If your company is going to use this type of layout, it’s essential to create private breakout spaces where employees or teams can get away from the noise and distractions of the open layout.

2. Variety of Working Environments

Another popular trend in office design is unassigned workspaces. These offices are designed with a variety of furniture types to support a wide range of activities. Some offices include lounge areas with smartboards for collaborative efforts, small breakout rooms for more private tasks or for employees who need a quiet place to work, and desks for those who need a dedicated place to do their work.

Each member of the team can work in an environment that supports their current task. You can allow them to work across your office interior with complete freedom. You can choose from a wide range of furniture types, including modular furniture, to get the most out of your office space.

3. Ergonomics

Employees also require the right tools to get their work done without suffering eye pain, sore backs, and strained muscles. We’re talking about ergonomic office furniture. Some businesses simply choose to ignore the need for this type of furniture, while many employees believe they don’t need it.

There are several considerations for an ergonomic office. Each employee, in a perfect workspace, would have an adjustable chair, sit/stand desk, keyboard tray, monitor arm, and a task light. The cost can be exorbitant; however, you can start small. The minimum for a workstation should include a high-quality office chair that allows for a number of adjustments, a keyboard tray, and a monitor arm.

Rather than dread the expense of such furniture and tools, consider these an investment in your employees. Employees who are not suffering from pain and strain take off fewer sick days. They stay more productive, too, without being distracted by various aches and pains.

4. Storage and Organization

Sufficient storage is also crucial to your office. For one thing, it allows employees to keep their spaces and the entire office neat and clean. There’s nothing worse than an office that’s stacked with files, office supplies, and more.

So, ensure you have plenty of storage to allow employees to organise their spaces. If you’re not sure about the specific pieces your office needs, consider working with an interior designer to make sure your employees have all the storage they need.

5. Thermal Comfort

We can say that this is a “hot” topic—pun intended! But office comfort is an essential consideration for you and your employees. Going through an office redesign or upgrade means it may be possible to ensure all the proper systems are in place to ensure the comfort of everyone in the workspace.

Working with a mechanical engineer can ensure that your office maintains the right temperature for everyone. The engineer can also provide a design that addresses proximity to exterior windows, private offices vs. open work areas, and all the activities that take place in specific areas.

6. Lighting

Along with thermal comfort, lighting is another essential for your office. Studies have shown that without the right lighting, some employees can have a hard time completing their work. That means a loss of productivity for the company, along with employees who have eye strain and other issues.

Natural lighting is best, as it is healthier and saves money by saving on energy use. Task lighting is also crucial, as it provides different types of lighting for various tasks.

7. Noise Prevention

Noise from internal or external sources is unavoidable in our modern era. However, there are things you can do to reduce noise. To prevent noise from outside, choose thick or double-glazed windows. You may also want to consider sound treatments such as acoustic panels or pads that can be installed around the meeting room to keep noise to a minimum.

When it comes to furniture, choose materials that have excellent sound absorption qualities. Avoid any furniture that causes echoes or amplifies office noise.

8. Amenities: Support Areas

When it comes to amenities, employees may thoroughly enjoy a game room, break room, or even an office gym. The type and number of such support areas depend on the type of work your business has.

You may want to consider lounge areas or break rooms to offer comfortable spaces to allow employees to get away from their tasks and desks for a time.

9. Safety is Essential

Something that cannot be overlooked is office safety. To ensure a safe work environment, you may want to consider adding security guards to all entrances and exits. In addition, make sure the materials for doors and windows are durable and don’t easily break. Consider whether it’s necessary to invest in locks, such as double locks or double-layered doors.

Automated or smart security systems can also be added, along with CCTV and a card system to monitor who enters and leaves your facility.

Summing It Up

These considerations can be used as a guide to your office redesign or upgrade. That way, you won’t lose track of some of the most important considerations that go into your office environment.