There is a lot to think about when planning your office space, from furniture and layout to design. The process can feel overwhelming when trying to create the perfect space for your company to flourish. Luckily, we’ve been in the business a long time; we’ve seen every mistake and every success. That’s why we’re sharing our biggest dos and don’ts of office space planning, along with tips on how to implement or avoid them!
Do Include Branded Elements
Our number one do is to include branded elements. Even with the most comfortable furniture and streamlined layout, your space won’t truly reflect you unless your brand is incorporated into the design. Including branded elements can motivate your employees, impress your clients, and more! Whenever you are having trouble with a decision during the design process, consider how your brand identity can shine through, from the textures and colours to your values and goals!
Do Consider Natural and Artificial Lighting
Another key consideration is incorporating both natural and artificial lighting into your space. Take note of where natural light comes from in your office and plan your spaces around it, whether that’s a lobby, a meeting room, or a break room. Where you may be lacking natural light, artificial light options can brighten the space and can even be better in areas where natural light could have a negative effect on screens. Integrating both types of lighting where they work best will improve workplace comfort, energy, and aesthetics.
Do Create a Comprehensive Plan
Our final do is to create a comprehensive plan before starting your design and installation. Ensure you have adequately thought through the flow of your space, how it will affect employees, and how it reflects your company. With so many little details, it’s easy to overlook something and not realize it until it’s too late. That’s where we can help. With our extensive experience and expertise, we know space planning like the back of our hand. Vertical Interiors helps organizations across Canada elevate their workspaces with smart, flexible, and beautifully designed office interiors; yours could be next.
Don’t Ignore Traffic Flow
Now moving on to our don’ts of office space planning, don’t ignore traffic flow. While your office design may look perfect on paper, consider how people will actually move through the space, from visiting clients to collaborating team members. No matter how aesthetically pleasing your office looks, ultimately, if it ignores traffic flow, it won’t streamline your operations. Rather than just thinking about how a space will look, take into account who will be using it, and don’t ignore employee feedback.
Don’t Neglect the Details
That brings us into our second don’t, don’t neglect the details. This is where a comprehensive plan really comes into play. Don’t just plan where desks and chairs are going to go; plan the branding and ergonomics of the furniture. Once again, consider the people who will be using the space; what kind of storage do they require? What technology features will enable them to be more productive and efficient? What furniture features will allow them to be more comfortable and satisfied? Integrating these details in the planning stage reduces last-minute scrambling and regrets.
Don’t Forget About Private Spaces
Our final office planning tip is don’t forget about private spaces. When designing office spaces, people often integrate plenty of boardrooms, waiting rooms, and other collaborative areas. However, private spaces are sometimes overlooked. Quiet zones with acoustic enhancements can improve employee focus and quality output. Private meeting spaces allow employees to meet with remote team members without disrupting those around them. Overall, integrating private spaces into your office design can boost efficiency as much as shared ones.
We hope this guide will serve as a helpful resource in your office space planning, ensuring you avoid common mistakes before it’s too late. If you need additional tips or expertise, contact Vertical Interiors today.
