Whether you are setting up a new business or moving premises, the set-up of your new office space is something worth planning. You need to consider many aspects to ensure you get the most out of this new space. First, of course, making sure it can offer the most productive environment is paramount, and, of course, you will want it to be a welcoming work area where staff feel motivated. On top of that, you need to consider health and safety, so it does require some forethought and planning.
Start with furniture
Furniture tends to take up most of the floor space in an office, so start by purchasing the correct number of desks and chairs. You can visit the best office furniture website here. The size of the desk varies depending on the amount of paperwork needed by your employees. You can also consider whether they will be using desktops or laptops, which also slightly changes the requirements. Finally, don’t forget to allow for more oversized items such as printers and servers if these are required. If you struggle to visualize the layout, sketch out a few different configurations to see which is best.
Open or closed working
The nature of your business will dictate whether you need an open or closed layout for the office. If your employees must concentrate and require a degree of quiet, then a closed plan office with cubicles creates the perfect environment. However, if brainstorming and collaborative work suit you better, consider an open plan office, perhaps with a large meeting table and everybody in the same space. If you require cubicles, remember that the dividers themselves can take up space and darken the working environment.
Technology provision
It would be unusual to have an office with no internet connectivity today. It is vital to get a reliable, fast connection that can provide a robust working environment for the traffic you will have online at any one time. It’s worth obtaining a few quotes from different providers to see who can offer the best. Think about the response and service they are offering if things go wrong. Most businesses will want a fast call-out service to get them back up and running as quickly as possible. Landline telephones are not always used in offices these days, and you may prefer to provide mobile phones for your employees. Whichever you choose, you can still shop around to get the best deal. It is also worth considering an uninterrupted power supply unit that can run all your computers should there be a power outage in the area.
The finishing touches
Finally, you can move to things that will give the office a more appealing look. For example, large leafy green plants are good for the air and help create a sense of calm. The lighting needs to be appropriate to ensure that people are not straining their eyes. Also, you can provide a well-stocked stationery cupboard and a breakout area where staff are free to make tea and coffee and sit and have something to eat.