One principle that business owners should take to heart when creating their working space is inclusivity. This term is not only applicable to hiring. It can also be used as a guide when selecting and arranging office furniture pieces.
Since offices are made up of individuals with their preferences, it is challenging to consider everyone’s idea of optimal office space. This is true, especially for startups with a limited budget and trying to open their first office.
Fortunately, various furniture types can transform a small office space into a place conducive to and inspiring productivity.
This article will discuss how you can make the best out of your small office space and recommendations for top-notch space-saving furniture offered exclusively by Agile Office Furniture.
Table of Contents
5 Space-saving Tips to Maximize Your Office Area
4 Ways to Arrange Furniture in Small Space
Best Space-Saving Furniture Products in NZ
Conclusion
5 Space-saving Tips to Maximize Your Office Area
Assessing Your Space and Needs
Some known rules in allocating space are giving 120 square feet of work area for each employee, while others would claim that each work area should measure between 150 to 250 square feet. However, this figure may still change depending on your number of employees, your working plan, and if there are any employees that need special accommodation (e.g. wheelchair ramp, wider work area, and railings).
Your available office space and furniture needs will also determine whether you can provide individual workstations or a mix of shared desks and cubicles. When evaluating your office space, give allowance in the measurements, especially if you plan to scale up.
Investing in Good Lighting
Optimal lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity and safety across various work environments, including home offices, traditional office spaces, and industrial warehouses. As humans heavily rely on their sight to gather approximately 85 percent of daily information, the quality of lighting significantly impacts their ability to perform tasks effectively.
Inadequate lighting hampers visibility and leads to decreased productivity, eye fatigue, and headaches as our brains struggle to process essential information. On the other hand, when employees can see clearly and effortlessly, it promotes a safer and more efficient work environment, maximizing the potential of the office space.
Provide Ample Storage
A stuffy and cluttered office makes it difficult for employees to navigate through their work since they will waste time in looking for their documents and needed supplies. One highly underused and often overlooked space is the one under the working desk. If your employees have a wide enough desk, you may try to use petite drawer models that can be hidden under the desk.
However, if the desks only give enough room for the legs, mobile pedestal drawers that can be easily moved from one place to another. Usually, these mobile drawers can fit in one corner so that it doesn’t become an obstruction.
Moreover, don’t forget the wall storage. Wall space can become a big help in saving space when used correctly. You may use hutches or shelves to file documents or keep small stationeries.
Do not underestimate the power of plants
Integrating elements of nature into office spaces has been scientifically proven to have a range of positive effects, contributing to the optimization of the workspace. As human beings, we are inclined to connect with nature, a concept known as biophilia. Consequently, incorporating biophilic elements into the office environment offers numerous advantages.
Introducing plants into the workspace has been shown to decrease stress levels, enhance productivity, and give a better aesthetic appearance to surroundings. Additionally, plants serve as natural air purifiers, improving indoor air quality and acting as sound absorbers, thereby reducing noise levels.
Empty nooks and crannies can be used for the plants. Your office will not only become well-organized but aesthetic as well!
Regular Cleaning
A tidy office space holds a certain appeal and allure, starkly contrasting with a cluttered and disorganized one. By keeping your workspace clean, you not only create an inviting environment but also promote mental clarity and alleviate stress. When aiming to maximize the office space, cleanliness plays a vital role. It allows you to visualize the available area more clearly and plan and utilize the space more effectively.
Furthermore, a clean workspace provides a visual representation of the remaining space, aiding in decision-making and efficient allocation of resources.
4 Ways to Arrange Furniture in Small Space
Arranging furniture in your small office needs creativity and logic. You need to arrange your furniture in a way that does not compromise other elements. Also, your furniture arrangement can be one way of communicating your office values to visitors.
Small offices don’t have a lot of floor area to work with. Therefore, it needs twice the effort and careful planning to devise an arrangement that prioritizes the well-being of everyone in the office.
Maintain an Unobstructed Entry
To maximize the visual spaciousness and smooth traffic flow in your entryway, it is advisable to minimize the presence of furniture near it. Overcrowding the entryway can make the space appear smaller and hinder movement. To create the illusion of more space, relocate visually heavy items like desks and bookshelves away from the door. By doing so, these enormous objects will not be the first things you see when entering the room, allowing for a better view of the entire space.
Create Adequate Spacing Between Furniture
Many people often make the mistake of cluttering their furniture, particularly during the arrangement process. While larger offices may not face this issue due to ample space, you can still address it by providing some spacing when arranging furniture. This prevents an overcrowded office and ensures better mobility, especially when working with others. In small office settings, leaving at least 4 meters of space between furniture during the arrangement phase is essential.
Utilize Office Dividers
A practical method to optimize a small space is by investing in office dividers, which can create distinct areas for various tasks. For instance, you can designate separate zones for your desk, storage or filing, and seating for clients or customers. Office dividers are particularly beneficial when sharing the space with colleagues or assistants.
Consider an Open-Office Design
To enhance your office's atmosphere, consider replacing high walls and closed doors with an open-office floor plan featuring low-walled cubicles, comfortable lounges, benches, and transparent glass meeting rooms.
There are numerous advantages associated with an open-office design, including:
- Improved communication among colleagues.
- Efficient utilization of space.
- Flexibility in rearranging layouts with minimal effort.
Best Space-Saving Furniture Products in NZ
Agile Office Furniture’s product range is suitable for large corporations and small startups. We believe the startup market will expand even more in the coming years. It is part of our mission to help startups achieve their goals by providing office furniture that enables them to build the optimal working environment.
Here are our top picks for the best furniture that can help you save space:
Equipped with an electric motor, this workstation offers smooth and effortless height adjustment at a remarkable speed of 25mm per second. The sturdy steel frame ensures durability and stability, while the adjustable height range of 660 - 1205mm (including the worktop) allows for personalized ergonomic comfort.
The commercial-grade 25mm worktop boasts a melamine finish with a 2mm PVC edge, providing a stylish and functional surface for work tasks. The workstation has an impressive lifting capacity of 70kg, ensuring it can accommodate various equipment and personal items. Plus, it is energy-efficient and environmentally conscious, with a low power consumption of 60 watts and a standby power usage of a maximum of 0.9 watts.
Summit II Electric 120 Rotor 3 Pod Desk
This innovative desk offers a generous height range of 620 – 1270mm, allowing you to easily transition between sitting and standing at the touch of a button. With a swift adjustment speed of 30mm per second, you can effortlessly change your working position without disturbing your workflow.
Keeping your workspace organized is easy with the integrated cable tray and cable port, allowing you to manage and conceal your cables effectively. The desk features high-quality tops in New Zealand, ensuring durability and style, while the recyclable metal frames prioritize environmental sustainability.
This compact pedestal features two box drawers and a file drawer, allowing you to organize your A4 or foolscap files with ease.
With central locking functionality, you can securely store your belongings and keep sensitive information confidential. The anti-tilt wheel on the bottom drawer adds a layer of stability and safety, preventing the unit from tipping over during use.
The Cube Slim Mobile Pedestal also includes a convenient pen tray, allowing you to keep writing utensils within reach and maintain an organized workspace.
Base Screen 1500 x 450 x 18 Light Grey (Novah)
Introducing the Base Screen in Light Grey P-TM07 with White PVC Edge, a sleek and functional addition to any workspace. This screen measures 1500 x 450 x 18mm, providing ample coverage and privacy for your workstation.
Designed with both aesthetics and durability in mind, the light grey P-TM07 fabric adds a touch of elegance to your office environment. The white PVC edge enhances the visual appeal and reinforces the screen's structure for long-lasting performance.
Conclusion
When creating an inclusive and productive working space, business owners should consider various factors, including space-saving tips, optimal lighting, ample storage solutions, and incorporating natural elements like plants. Maintaining a clean and organized workspace also contributes to mental clarity and efficient resource allocation.
When arranging furniture in small office spaces, it is essential to prioritize unobstructed entryways, provide adequate spacing between furniture, utilize office dividers, and consider an open-office design for improved communication and space utilization.
By implementing these recommendations and investing in quality furniture, business owners can optimize their small office spaces and provide a conducive and inclusive working environment for their employees.
