Tips for improving your office design
Improving your office space? To increase productivity, consider:
Light. Natural light helps productivity. Try to not block windows, and consider keeping windows in public spaces rather than private offices. If there are no windows in the office, introduce different kinds of lighting, such as table lamps or desk lights, to brighten or soften the space.
Open space. Views make people feel less closed in, which makes them happier and more productive. A desk facing out into a room can make a person feel less claustrophobic.
Color. Colors can make a space feel larger or smaller. Cool colors such as blue and green calm, while vibrant hues such as yellows and orange energize. Drab shades can depress. Break room colors can be brighter and flashier than those in the office.
Materials. Highly reflective, smooth materials like glass increase glare and can contribute to eye fatigue. Carpet, cork flooring and wood absorb sound and cut down on noise.
Personal space. Desk arrangement should encourage communication without too much distraction. Desks arranged facing one another can be uncomfortable. Buffers like cabinets or panels create a sense of privacy. If the office is open, there should be places for sensitive conversations.
Storage. Choose the proper storage unit for the job. Purge unnecessary files. Moving storage overhead, or creating moveable units, can make filing more convenient.
Adjacencies. Placement of copiers, break rooms and people themselves can help or hinder productivity. Keep file cabinets where they will be used. Move break rooms as far away as possible from conference rooms and work areas. Keep noisy, creative departments separate from places where people need quiet to concentrate.
Ergonomics. Arrange phones, cabinets and furniture in the most efficient and natural way for the person using them. For example, don’t put a phone for a left-handed worker on the right side of the desk.
Electricity, water, and telecommunications. Ensure that electrical outlets are sufficient for the equipment used. Consider placement of sockets and outlets before rearranging furniture. Remember that a break room might need a water pipe for a coffee machine or a sink.
Flexibility. Keep future expansion in mind — rearranging cubicles is cheaper than knocking out walls. Look into furniture that can be moved or adjusted to accommodate changes in staff or job function.
Sources: Mitchell Associates, Clutter Organizers, M.G. Zahn & Associates Inc., Brandywine Design, Barbara Goodman Designs, and Design Services Ltd.
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