Setting Up an Office: 7 Mistakes to Avoid


 

Modern workplaces have experienced a significant change in the design compared to old and dreaded cubicle offices. And although modern offices are definitely way better than what we had in the past, their design can still be a bit off.

Now, it’s important to understand that we’re not focusing on personal color preferences and style tastes of every employee when talking about a stellar office design. Rather, we’re only discussing the functionality of the entire office space. So, if you wish to create an amazing office space, here are some mistakes you need to avoid at all cost.

Inadequate lighting

The number one mood and productivity killer in any office space is definitely inadequate lighting. Now, unless you have the option to introduce plenty of natural light in your office space, the best way to achieve optimal lighting is to layer it throughout the entire area. Having just simple overhead lights will definitely not be enough. Additionally, when it comes to the type of light itself, keep in mind that dimmed lights can cause fatigue and significant eye strain, while fluorescent lighting is a bit too harsh of a choice. Therefore, make sure you go with LED light bulbs in your office space because they are both energy-efficient and excellent at mimicking natural light.

The lack of privacy

 

The open office design has recently taken the business world by storm. However, many employees stated that, even though working in an open office is definitely better than being crunched in a tiny, stuffy cubicle, it definitely has a couple of major flaws – the lack of privacy being the most important one. So, instead of choosing one or the other, make sure you combine the best of both worlds in your office design and create both private and collaborative areas in your office space. That way, you’ll allow your employees the freedom to choose where they’ll be working from, depending on their current needs.

Poor security system

Your business is one of your most valued possessions, your employees and the office space included. Therefore, if you want to make sure that nothing bad happens to it, you need to have a reliable security system in place. Companies such as JD Security offer excellent networked access control systems that allow you to keep track who enters and exits your workspace at any given time. This way, you can make sure that all of your employees, equipment, as well as data, is completely safe.

Too much noise

Another productivity killer is definitely poor acoustics. If this is not taken care of properly, it will create a noisy environment that can easily hinder the efforts of even the most devoted employees. This is also one of the major downsides of open office designs. So, when setting up your office, make sure you use various acoustic materials on your walls that will absorb all the buzz and murmur that usually go around a busy office environment.

Insufficient storage space

The importance of having proper storage space in your office simply can’t be stated enough. Unfortunately, this is the most commonly neglected aspect of any office design. Insufficient or even completely absent storage space can lead to a cluttered workspace faster than you might think, which is definitely something you should avoid at any cost.

Boring office design

A boring office design can be a real productivity killer as well. Now, we are not suggesting that you approach designing your office like you would designing your home. Instead, try to incorporate your brand colors subtly in the design. For example, if your brand colors are purple and blue, you can incorporate them in the design with plant pots, office mugs or even chairs that rock the same – or similar – hues.

Las of fresh air

Finally, having plenty of fresh air in your work environment will definitely boost productivity. Additionally, it will lower the overall number of sick days. The indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside, so installing a reliable HVAC system with a HEPA filter should definitely find its way on your to-do list.

 

All in all, by making sure that your office space is bright, airy, safe and clutter-free, you will boost the productivity of your workers and make working in the office space a pleasurable experience. However, refrain from overwhelming your employees with an office design that’s too aggressive, but don’t make it look boring either.

Recommended Posts:

Back