Office design is an important aspect of running an effective business. The design of your workplace should be functional but also pleasing in appearance. A well thought out office plan provides workers with a comfortable and satisfying environment in which to work, while a poorly designed office space can make every working hour an exercise in survival. Wall hangings and decorations will come later. For now, you need to start by planning the basic structure and design of your workspace.
Layout
Office layout provides structure to the space and controls the flow of work within the office area.
When planning, consider all the elements you’ll need to run your office efficiently. Take into
account the space you will need for quiet work areas, informal gathering places, and formal meeting
rooms. Be sure to place shared office equipment in an area that is easily accessible to all. Discuss
your ideas with your employees to discover things you might not have considered during your initial
planning.
Noise Reduction
While planning the layout of the office, think about ways to reduce noise. Be sure to establish
gathering areas away from quiet work spaces. Formal meeting rooms should be separate from the
shared work space and should also have doors to reduce sound levels. If the office area is small,
consider soundproofing measures to dampen the noise from meeting rooms. Shared equipment, such as
copiers andprinters should be located away from quiet work areas. Other design elements that will
help reduce noise are carpeting, window coverings, and sound absorbing ceiling tiles.
Color & Lighting
Design elements such as color and lighting will set the tone for the workplace. It has been proven
that color influences the moods and feelings of individuals. Picking the right colors for each work
area can reduce stress levels, encourage creativity and boost productivity. Lighting also contributes
greatly to the physical comfort within the workplace. A mix of direct and indirect lighting will add
layers of light to the workspace and create a softer tone for the entire area. Also, you can reduce
glare by not placing overhead lighting directly over desks and other work surfaces. Instead, use
adjustable desk lamps to illuminate these areas to provide the best lighting and reduce eye strain.
Furniture & Ergonomics
Picking out office furniture can be overwhelming when faced with the gigantic selection available
in today’s market. Evaluate each work area ahead of time to decide what pieces of furniture will be
required, keeping in mind that different tasks require different equipment. One factor to take into
consideration before choosing furniture is ergonomics. Ergonomically designed furniture is designed
to contribute to comfort, safety and efficiency. Repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel
syndrome, are on the rise. Despite the higher cost, employers are choosing ergonomically designed
furniture in an effort to reduce workplace injuries. Employees are more comfortable, more productive
and less likely to injure themselves on the job.
