Whether you’re remodeling your existing office or looking for a fantastic way to lay out your new office building, we can help. These common office design mistakes will help you avoid some of the worst ways you can lay out your office. We’ll show you why some of these choices can hurt productivity, decrease employee satisfaction, and cut back on the day-to-day functionality of your space.
Learn what design features to avoid to make your office a better space for everyone.
Not Enough Storage
First and foremost, make sure you’re using a large enough office space for what you need. Too many office spaces have more things crammed into the space than should be there. This can lead to distractions, prevent focus, and make your employees feel crowded and stressed.
Having a space that’s big enough to house all of your employees comfortably, the necessary desks, workstations, and private offices is vital. Before you settle on a location because of the convenience and pricing, be sure you consider the amount of additional space you’ll need to make the location work.
A Lack-Luster or Too-Small Break Area
Another problem to is having a break room that doesn’t allow your employees to truly relax. If your breakroom is uninviting, too small, or doesn’t offer adequate seating, your employees are more likely to be unhappy with their breaks. This can lead to lower productivity when they return to their workstations because they feel like their break was unsatisfactory.
Giving your employees a great space to kick back and relax will help them to reset for the second part of their shift. Try to ensure the break room has a comfortable place to sit, plenty of space, and is quiet and away from traffic.
A Lack of Privacy
In some work environments, having space for your employees to brainstorm and work together is important. However, it’s also vital to have separation to inspire focus. If your employee’s workstations are too close together, it can lead to a distracted work environment that will significantly reduce productivity.
Additionally, having the workstations too close together can make it more difficult to focus on tasks, calls, or anything else. Be sure to give your employees a space to work together and plenty of space to enjoy their privacy while they work.
Uncomfortable Furniture
One common place that many companies try to save money when setting up their office is office furniture. However, skimping on office furniture can lead to lower productivity. This is because your employees will be more prone to getting up to leave their workstation because they are uncomfortable. It also will make it harder for them to focus if they’re uncomfortable at their desks.
If you’re looking for comfortable work furniture, Ideal Office Solutions is the place to go. We’ll help you save on office furniture while getting the perfect designs for your space.
Crowded Work Areas
Another problem can be if the workstation is overly crowded. This can mean there’s not enough space between employees or too many things are needed on a workstation. A crowded or cluttered desk can make it difficult to get work done. Try to encourage organized workspaces by providing organizers, drawers, and more to give your team members a place to put their things.
Inadequate Lighting
Lastly, many offices don’t put enough focus on the lighting in the office and settle for just standard fluorescent lighting. Try to equip your offices with sufficient windows or natural lighting to help your employees’ mental health. According to a study from Cornell University, natural lighting can significantly improve drowsiness, eye strain, and reduce headaches. These things lead to better focus from your employees and higher productivity.
If you’re looking for the perfect office equipment for your new office building or redesign, shop at Ideal Office Supplies! We also offer office design services to help you get the most out of your space. Contact us today to learn more!