In the realm of office design, size doesn’t limit potential. At Avent Interiors, we understand the importance of making the most out of every square foot, especially in smaller office spaces. Today we’re excited to share tips and creative solutions for optimising compact work environments. So, let’s delve into our strategies and help you maximise your small office space.
Space-Saving Furniture
Explore multifunctional furniture pieces that serve dual purposes, like desks with built-in storage, foldable tables, and modular seating arrangements. These clever designs maximise functionality without sacrificing precious space.
A perfect example of this theory in practice is the use of a storage wall as partitioning. Not only do you have a stylish storage system you also have an effective way to break up an open plan office area into smaller sections thus improving office logistics and productivity.
An additional benefit of this swap is the semi-permanent nature of the partition. If you were to construct a traditional partition it would incur an expensive rip out process if the use of the area changed in the future needing a return to the open plan nature of the area.
Clever Storage Solutions
Obviously with a small office comes difficulty with storage, but with some creativity, you can find ways to keep everything neat, tidy and most importantly well organised.
We often find that clients forget to look up, utilising vertical space is a great start. You should think about installing tall shelving units and wall-mounted storage. Another clever idea is looking for furniture with built-in storage, such as desks with drawers or filing cabinets.
Clear containers and labels are a great way to keep smaller items in order, making them easy to locate when needed. It’s imperative to not forget about under-desk storage solutions such as pedestals which can keep items in constant use within reach but out of sight.
Discussing document storage, ‘BPMS’, claims that “storage of documents in a London base office… …can cost up to £140 per square feet”. When thinking about storage people can forget about the option to store documents digitally.
Many new offices are integrating cloud storage solutions to try and reduce physical storage needs for documents. Many options exist such as Google Drive or One Drive which allow for enhanced collaboration and therefore higher productivity.
Although the initial adoption can seem daunting the pay offs are well worth it. One Drive boasts “storage up to 5TB” so conceivably you would never need to have any physical documents again as your choice of provider can scale with your business.
Strategic Layout Designs
Quora describes strategic layout as “the deliberate planning and arrangement of how physical items or activities will be organised and positioned within a space or environment.” How does this apply to you and your office though?
A good first step is to carefully design your office layout to optimise traffic flow and functionality. Zoning techniques can be used to designate specific areas for a variety of tasks, such as workstations, meeting spaces, and collaborative zones, maximising usability within a limited footprint. It goes without saying that a strategic floor plan is crucial for making the most of your small office space.
Natural Light and Decor
Everyone is aware that natural light makes a small space look bigger than it is. Maximise the perception of space by incorporating natural light. An effective way to allow natural light in whilst still segmenting the area is to employ the use of glazed partitioning instead of the classic opaque style. Light, neutral colours and uncluttered surfaces create an open and airy atmosphere, making small spaces feel larger and more inviting.
Molly Lynch, Colour expert from ‘Benjamin Moore’ suggests that “Airy blues and crisp white hues are ideal for small spaces” and her colleague Hannah Yeo suggests “For smaller spaces, I always recommend using a bright color to create a focal point.”. From this information we can suggest that an effective scheme for your decorating would be a light blue accent wall with crisp white hues throughout the rest of the office. If you partner the use of natural light with careful decor choices, your space will start to open up and feel less cramped.
Flexible Work Environments
In a small office, flexibility is crucial in both design and work life. The key concept here is to create multi-purpose spaces that can be easily adapted. This can be achieved through flexible layouts, foldable partitions, and modular furniture, which can all be combined to create spaces that are easily reconfigurable to accommodate different activities and team sizes.
Expanding on this point, J-LL suggests that “a typical utilization rate is around 60% to 70%. If your utilization rate is much lower, you’re probably not using this space efficiently.”. This suggests that on average 35% of your office space is wasted, highlighting the importance of the above points especially when running an office space to full capacity.
Hot Desking and Remote Working
When discussing hot desking Zenefits mention “77% of people consider flexible work arrangements a major consideration. If the companies still work in traditional working methods, 37% of employees said they would leave the traditional office.”. This is a very eye-opening statistic, and one which, if you have a small office, you could swing this into a positive.
As hotdesking and remote work become more accepted ways of working you could try and adopt this in your company, encourage employees to work from home therefore providing more space in your office for those who don’t want to or can’t.
However, with this change in working however comes an importance on providing your work force with well set up, flexible hot desks with all the technology your employee needs to stay connected to the team.
Case Study – Maximise Your Small Office Space: Avent Interiors’ Help Squarcle in Bristol
In 2023 Avent Interiors undertook a fit out of an office space in the centre of Bristol for Squarcle. Being in the centre of Bristol the office space came at a premium however the client still wanted a productive, inviting and modern space for employees to thrive. There were several strategies that Avent Interiors employed to get the most from this space.
When it came to the partitioning Avent Interiors suggested a system which included glazing between rooms and into the main office area paired with 2 sets of folding partitioning. The folding partitioning would break up one large open plan area into 3 smaller meeting rooms but allow them to be converted back into one open plan space again or even 2 unevenly sized spaces by folding back one partition and leaving one closed.
Another idea Avent Interiors suggested was to keep the space looking open by using lower backed furniture options to act as natural partitioning in the area. This would allow for more natural light to disperse throughout the room but keep specific areas segmented for productivity.
These small but effective changes really opened the area without compromise on productivity, employee well-being or style.
Employee Wellbeing:
When speaking on office design and layout ‘BetterYou’ mentions “In addition to the physical aspects, the design and layout of the workspace also play a crucial role in employee wellbeing. A well-designed office can contribute to a sense of belonging, pride, and mental well-being for employees.”. This quote perfectly highlights the importance all aspects of the office space can have on employee wellbeing.
Other important additions to your small office which will improve employee wellbeing include:
Plants
Real or fake, plants help boost employee wellbeing, humans are genetically inbuild to find nature soothing. Real plants are obviously where you will experience the best results by providing cleaner air for the office, inspiring creativity and boosting cognition.
Artwork
‘ipaintmymind.org’ claims that “a well-planned, art-enriched workspace is more than mere physical space; it’s a productivity catalyst that fosters positive energy and vibrancy”. They further claim it can increase visual appeal, increase personalisation of workplace and promote company culture.
Seating
Obviously a comfortable, functional office chair is essential to employee wellbeing. However, breakout furniture is equally important, design should, in this case, come second to comfort as the breakout area is for the wellbeing of the employees.
Conclusion
Unlocking the potential of a small office space hinges on strategic planning and innovative solutions. By incorporating multifunctional furniture, clever storage, strategic layouts, natural light, and flexible work environments, you can transform a compact area into a productive, efficient, and inviting workspace. Embrace these strategies to maximise your office’s functionality and appeal.