This article takes a look at office design and offers the reader a few cool design and layout ideas.
If you are a budding entrepreneur who wants to create the right vibe in your new office space, you have come to the right place. This short blog outlines a few cool office layout ideas that you can incorporate into your design.
Open Plan
Traditional offices use closed rooms as offices, with a long corridor down one side, yet this design does not promote dialogue and interaction. If you were to tour Google’s offices, you would see open plan everywhere and half partitions can be used to build workstations where they are needed. Think of a huge warehouse as a base format, then you create zones using portable partitions (half and full), which can easily be rearranged. Search online for office refurbishment Cyprus or your country has to offer and start browsing a few websites and get the feel of the contractor.
Zero Workstations
Yes, you read this correctly; a layout with tables and chairs everywhere and a high-speed wireless Internet connection that allows employees to take out their laptops and they are good to go. This means you don’t have the outlay of many desktop PCs, rather buy each employee a MacBook Air and everyone is happy. When you call a meeting, all participants can boot up their laptops and connect to your secure cloud network.
Zone Off Departments
Of course, you want your accounting staff to be close to each other. You can create zones for sales, accounting & payroll, research & development and a management zone. Using partitions, it is very easy to create areas for specific departments, which is functional and fosters efficiency. Inside a zone should be a large table where people can gather, while you can create as many workstations as you need.
Total Freedom & Independence
Imagine a workplace where all employees wear what they want. Some bring their pets and even kids. Equipped with headsets, people can communicate on the move and research shows that giving employees total freedom nurtures responsibility. You can offer some guidelines and let everyone know that anything goes! You will be surprised at the response from your office staff if you give them a free hand.
Central Meeting Place
Many tech start-ups use this layout – a central meeting area where people gather at the start and finish of each day, with workstations around the perimeter. People then have the choice of working in the communal area or using their workstation, which is a casual way to set out the office. If you have clients visit, you should create a warm and inviting reception area with some wall art, flowers and comfortable chairs and sofas. This should be an informal area where staff can relax and talk freely.
Of course, you want your office to be a productive place and by including staff in the decision-making process, you are creating inclusivity and your employees will have a sense of ownership. The days of enclosed rooms are long gone, as management strives to create a dynamic ambience that is very much open plan.
It might take some moving around and changing minor things before you hit on the right layout, which will boost productivity and that’s a win-win for every party. Resist the temptation to stick with tradition and create a dynamic workspace that people enjoy.