When a company first starts out, its focus is on promoting the business, delivering maximum output with an “all hands on deck” workforce, and ultimately increasing the number of clients it serves. At this stage, the office premises are generally at the bottom of the list of considerations, and very little attention is paid to its size, location, and layout.
As the company becomes more established, however, the larger client roster often means the business must expand its workforce. Additional recruits require more space, and suddenly the size and location of the office are very real issues.
Stick or Twist?
This is the time when company owners must make the decision—do they sit tight in their current office space or relocate to bigger premises?
There are clearly significant pros and cons to both options. However, the fact that relocating can cost a business a substantial amount of money—at a time when it can least afford the expense—is the main reason why many companies prefer to stay put.
Top Tips for Making the Most of Your Current Office Space
If an office feels like it’s bursting at the seams, addressing this issue might simply be a case of reorganizing the layout. Often, businesses fail to make the most of the available space, and they put very little planning into how incorporating new staff members—plus additional workstations—will affect the configuration of the room. As Martine Robins, director at human resources consulting firm HR Dept, explains: “It’s essential to make sure your office is fully fit for purpose so space is designed to accommodate people rather than furniture.”
With this in mind, here’s how a few simple steps can free up wasted space:
- When the office is empty, take a good look at the space and consider what works in the current layout, what doesn’t work, what elements are taking up unnecessary space, and how you could rearrange current seating or use storage differently.
- Go back to basics and make a scaled plan of the available space. Try different configurations of workstations and meeting areas to find the most efficient layout.
- Take away anything you don’t really need. Archive any files you aren’t using regularly, which will also allow you to get rid of bulky filing cabinets.
- Replace oversized equipment (such as printers and photocopiers) with smaller, multifunctional models. Swap large desks with long tables that can accommodate several staff members. Using benches rather than hefty office chairs can also save an enormous amount of space.
- Go paperless. This will automatically remove the need for printers etc., as you’ll be storing all your files in computer systems.
- Invest in clever storage for personal belongings. Lockers, cubby holes, and well‑positioned coat hooks will reduce clutter around workstations.
How Changing the Ways You Work Can Help Save Space
Introducing flexible working and hot-desking can instantly relieve the pressure on a full-to-capacity workplace. You may even find that this more fluid method of working boosts staff morale. Many companies waste valuable space providing workstations for staff members who are rarely in the office or spend much of their time in meetings. Breakout spaces—where staff can conduct meetings or work on laptops in a more relaxed, soft-furnished area—are a great alternative to traditional desks.
Think Ahead
When taking measures to prolong your stay in your current office, it’s worth remembering that you’ll more than likely need to move at some point. Try to avoid leaving behind items that benefit only the landlord—make sure you invest in furniture and fittings that you can take with you. Avoid the temptation to buy anything that’s specific to your current office’s design or layout. Keep purchases as neutral as possible so they will fit the style of any future office space.
Other solutions that have long-term benefits include:
- On-desk plug sockets;
- Wireless charging docks; and
- Soft furnishings with integrated power modules.
These will provide sufficient power for the growing workforce without the wasted expense of installing facilities in an office you’ll one day be vacating.
Sam Cockayne is a freelance writer whose career spans many disciplines. After ten years working as an award-winning copywriter in London advertising agency TBWA, Sam relocated to NYC to develop a freelance writing career. On returning to London she began writing on-air content for the BBC and Sky, before moving again—this time to the north of England. Here, she switched from TV, radio and poster creation to digital content writing, and is currently enjoying working as a features editor in one of Sheffield’s top agencies.