Just like with residential design, the soul of a startup’s design comes from the style it radiates. You want your startup office space to reflect the goals and missions of your company, as well as be a place that your employees enjoy coming to and they can be productive in. However, when you have the Google, Facebook and AirBnb offices as your reference point, it may seem impossible to create a similar sort of office and still remain on budget.
Yet, where there is a will, there is a way. With a few creative hacks and ideas, you can also have a well-designed office space that isn’t a complete drain on your company’s resources. Here are five brilliant time-and money-saving office design tips for startups.
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Consider Sustainable Design
An office that is sustainably designed is beneficial for a multitude of reasons. First of all, going paperless and installing office furniture made from sustainable resources (see #3) will help your company reduce its ecological footprint. And, adopting green principles from the outset means that you won’t have to overhaul everything down the line.
In addition, an energy-efficient office design can also be a massive money-saving tip. For example, unplugging electronics at the end of the day will help to keep both your electricity bill and your energy usage down.
Adding some plant life to your office is a fantastic way to add a fresh touch to the space. Make sure to purchase plants that fit your space, though, whether you receive lots of daylight or just have a couple of windows.
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Splurge and Save Wisely
Even when designing on a budget, there are still going to be elements of the office space that deserve a little more attention. Try to select pieces that are fairly timeless, so you don’t need to revamp the entire space every few years. Investing more in classic-style furniture, floor coverings and lighting is often worth it, as these pieces will stand the test of time. If you don’t have the time or the vision to decide where to splurge and where to save, hiring an interior fit out company may be worthwhile.
Wall art and finishes can be bought from the cheaper end of the market, as they are easy to change at a low cost. In fact, you can even take your own photographs and have them printed and transformed into wall art. This is a cheap and easy process that can instantly bring a personal, creative flair to your office.
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Don’t overlook another person’s trash.
Second-hand items can often quickly and cheaply be converted into something new and amazing. An old door can become a coffee table or desktop overnight. Milk-bottle crates may transform into a funky light-fixture. Shoe boxes can be placed together for cheap, yet efficient storage. An inexpensive glass jar can suddenly become a candy-shop bucket (fill one with jellybeans and one with trail-mix to keep everyone happy!). The only limit is your — and your very creative employees’ — imagination!
Take a look at eBay and Craigslist for rugs and pillows that fit with your overall office vibe, but cost a fraction of the price of what you would pay at a fancy interior design store. Lots of offices close, move, grow and shrink, and if you can catch them at the right time, you can take advantage of fantastic office furniture sales.
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Look for cheaper substitutes.
Lots of companies love large whiteboards as they are an efficient way to facilitate brainstorming sessions — although they always come with a price. Two huge whiteboard stickers can do the same job for a lot less cash. If you know you love the style of classic mid-century seating (who doesn’t lust after Eames?), shop around online for replicas of these classic chairs, or whatever else your space needs. The beauty of the Internet is that you can often get the look you crave, for a lot less money.
Whether you are curating the space on your own, or are working with the best office interior design company in Dubai, there are always ways to find cheaper substitutes.
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Consider alternative office space set-ups.
Having an office space can be a huge drain on a startup’s resources and the wrong one can often present major issues when the company begins to grow. In today’s day and age, startups can think creatively about their office space and (at least) consider alternative options to just jumping in and taking out a 3-5 year lease. One growing trend is to find a co-working space that allows you to rent space by the day, month, or year. Co-working spaces allow you and your employees to interact with other like-minded people and grow from collaboration.
Similarly, sharing office space with another company encourages collaboration and provides opportunities to share your ideas with others. Companies like Regus allow small companies to lease individual offices. This is a huge time-saver, as you don’t need to go around finding a space, and then setting up internet, phone lines, and IKEA desks. In addition, you have access to a receptionist, conference rooms, kitchens, and everything else you need. All that is required of you is to just show up, unpack your laptop and get to work!
As the working world evolves and changes, there is no doubt that the designs of office spaces are altering with them. Innovative workspaces are now taking the place of the traditional designs of rigidly lined cubicles and cold overhead lighting. With these budget design tips in mind, you will also be able to create a workspace for the future.
