Factors to Consider When Planning Your Office Design and Layout

The challenge of planning an efficient office design and layout can seem like a daunting task. Several key factors must be considered to secure a space that balances utilitarian functionalities with creative interior design.

Whether the purpose of designing a new office layout is for expanding, remodeling, or moving into new office quarters, the process can be exciting, albeit slightly overwhelming. After all, your office design can significantly affect your personal image.

With careful considerations to office space planning, you can create an office space that promotes productivity and innovation in the workplace while attracting and retaining talent with the company. Though this post will primarily cover aspects like light, space and color, there are other factors in a modern-day office that need to be paid attention to, including internet connectivity, voice services, document management, etc. When it comes to internet connectivity, you may wish to compare viasat internet plans, as well as plans from other providers in your area, so that you can choose the best connection possible for your needs.

However, let’s jump right into this post and look at the key elements you have to consider when designing your new office:

1.    Your requirements

First things first, your planning process should define the planning requirements of your new office design. Whether it’s moving to a new space or renovating the current office layout, start by defining the top reasons and goals your business has for a new space. Yes, it takes a lot of time and money to design/redesign your office and the reasons why you are planning to make changes in the design should guide your whole design process.

Some reasons may include office relocation, a merger or acquisition, or it may come down to the simple need to consolidate existing space as your business experiences departmental shifts and new divisions of labor.

Similarly, the main goals to redesign office space may be to increase productivity and efficiency or rebrand the business to modernize it for internal and external audiences, making it easier to attract new talent to the company.

By first understanding the purpose and requirements of a new office layout, you can discover ‘best practices’ and design trends, as well as the right professional interior design company to work with that, speaks to your brand’s personality.

2.    The importance of lighting

Lighting, be it your home or your office, is one of the most important aspects in the whole designing process from an interior designer’s perspective. When natural lighting is used in a corporate space, firms can reduce their energy consumption and lower electricity bills. But the use of natural light can have an impact on office productivity and overall health as well. The use of natural light in an office setting has been shown to boost productivity, work satisfaction and mood, and worker health. Natural light, therefore, is beneficial for the overall mood in the office.

As such, when designing your new office layout, consider the importance of natural light. Natural light is vital for productivity and motivation purposes. Take into consideration that office furniture or equipment does not obstruct or block sources of natural light.

Complement natural light with modern lighting technology such as LED lighting solutions to truly create an office space that’s conducive for work.

In addition, LED neon lighting is another lighting option and can be used in certain areas including the reception area and even outside. Take a look at Neon Mama to see an example of how LED neon lighting is used in wall signs for the home that can be personalized to fit your own unique style and taste.

3.    The right colors

Designing a new layout for your office is the perfect time to integrate color schemes to your office setting. Colors are a powerful form of communication. They can evoke certain emotional responses according to the selected color scheme.

Picking a perfect color for your office can be a bit challenging and is a bit different from picking a perfect color combination for your condo. When developing a new layout, use color to its fullest potential. Incorporating the color green through workspaces, for example, has significant implications on office productivity, efficiency, and employee recruitment and retention. 

Examine your brand’s style guideline and use colors that work with your company’s branding.

Striking the right balance is key when incorporating color to design elements. Too much color can become overbearing and fatiguing. Similarly, not enough color, or having too much white can hinder the productivity in an office environment.

4.    Navigation and space

An effective floor plan will ensure your office layout is functional and serves its utilitarian purpose for fire code safety and evacuation plans, alongside having the appropriate emergency exit signage throughout the building. At the same time, fluid navigation can affect collaboration and team engagement. 

Managing and utilizing space effectively ensures that your new floor plan can strategically scale with the business as it grows strength to strength.

Special considerations to navigation and space create a task-orientated working environment that enables employees to perform and collaborate better while accommodating growth.           

The new office layout should also consider the importance of varying working environments. This includes creating spaces for collaborative work and individual, quiet projects.

5.    Turning the workplace into a destination

With virtual offices and remote work on the rise, organizations must create offices that enhance culture and is fully enjoyed by its staff. With office space being a valuable real estate investment, companies must utilize every square inch to create a work environment that’s inviting, inspiring, and comfortable.

Furniture throughout the office should be flexible and multi-functional. Multi-purpose rooms, a working cafe, and lounge spaces give staff a desirable destination that they will fully employ day in and day out. When planning a new office layout, democratize key areas of the office.

This encourages active participation, strategic collaboration, and improved productivity.

Seeing the big picture

The design and layout of your office’s workspace will have a significant impact on productivity, engagement, employee satisfaction, brand impact, and talent recruitment. Careful consideration must be given to planning to create an office layout that’s approachable and strategically designed to be conducive to work.

It’s not possible to take into consideration the individual choices of color, lighting, space etc. Therefore, as a designer, your aim should be creating a design which is acceptable to ‘most’ of the people i.e. any design idea which is generally acceptable.

Of course, you can use your skills and knowledge as a designer to come up with something brilliant, but you should remember that the office will be used by regular people and every individual is going to have a different taste and preference. A general approach, therefore, is the best way to go.

AUTHOR BIO
Shane Curran
CEO at Interact Group LLC
Interact Group is a design-led interior fit-out company that aims to set new standards in the UAE interiors market. Driven by their dedication to total customer experience, the company’s mission is to bring truly specialized teams to complex design and fit out challenges, utilizing their unmatched ability to deliver spaces efficiently and above expectation.