What is the Best Office Layout?

Your working environment is important for productivity, privacy and comfort. When deciding on the best office layout configuration for a work environment consider the type of work to be done, the size of your staff, and the space available. The key to planning any workspace is to create a balance between private and public spaces.

Type of Work Performed

The type of work will dictate the office layout. For example, customer service and telemarketing workers require constant phone or computer access as well as enough quiet space to hear calls and respond to inquiries.

Creative teams on the other hand need open spaces so that staff can meet and discuss ideas or test concepts. Low cubical walls let workers communicate without leaving their work spaces. Web designers, project managers, software developers are other professions who often need to collaborate.

Some type of work requires a quieter office layout. Programmers, coders and network administrators may need uninterrupted time to be more productive. High cubicle walls or enclosed offices are best for these workers.

In an open space set up, areas can be set aside for small phone booths where workers can use cell phones without disturbing others. Meeting rooms with doors can be set up to accommodate clients or private meetings.

Size of Space

A space that is too large can be as inefficient as a space that is too small. Workers who have to travel long distances to communicate or perform tasks like copying, filing or answering phones will be less productive. Having needed functions within easy reach promotes an efficient workspace.

Open spaces lend greater creativity to work configurations. The space can be divided into cubicles, common work areas, conference rooms, break rooms and reception areas. Open spaces are more economical because cubicles can be added as needed to fit the space.

Size of Work Stations

Managers, supervisors or team leaders usually require a larger space because of the need to conference with staff. Telephone workers require primarily desk space with access to computers. One central area can be set up for copying, faxing and possibly shipping.

Another area to consider is space for breaks. This can be a simple area to accommodate coffee makers, vending machines or a refrigerator. Having a break room on site saves time that might be wasted going out for snacks or coffee. In addition to convenience, a well-stocked break room adds to morale and promotes camaraderie among staff.

Our Trends for 2015

Hello and welcome to 2015; welcome the the future! Here are our top trends that we think will dominate and steer the way for office design in the coming year.

Eco Offices 
One trend that has been prominent through 2014 has been a growing appetite for environmentally aware workplaces. We think this is a trend that will continue to grow stronger in 2015. This trend works both in the sense that office refits are tending to be more and more environmentally friendly, and through the fact that more and more environmental influences are being incorporated into office interior designs. Workplaces are increasingly looking for ways to make their staff feel connected to the outdoors, and they are achieving this through tactics such as interior water features, natural colour schemes such as green and brown, and decorative patterns that draw on natural influences. This trend is also creating a growing taste for large windows, which provide plenty of natural light while offering views of genuine outdoor spaces.

Minimalism
Many office interiors are trying to simplify their looks, recognising that simple, uncluttered designs are both more relaxing and less distracting. This trend is proceeding in tandem with advances in technology that are helping to make workstations less cluttered, such as increasing wireless connectivity and the growing role of small devices like tablets and smartphones. The march of technology will certainly continue through 2015, and the more general trend for streamlined workspaces with minimal clutter, few items of furniture and a minimalist design is also likely to stay strong. This way, they will hope to not only minimise distractions but provide employees with a neat, modern and generally pleasant working environment. Often, this does involve using some purely decorative features within the office, or choosing decorative versions of practical features such as light fittings, but these will be kept to a select few.

Productivity
Open plan workspaces are simple, easy to build, but not the best solution when it comes to productivity. More and more offices are looking for ways to gear their designs towards optimum output from their workforce, and this is impacting on office interior trends in several key ways. A number of solutions are being employed to help employees remain focussed and free from distractions while also minimising stress, such as booths, acoustic pods and noise-cancellation screens. In 2015, more and more offices are likely to incorporate these and similar measures in order to help individual employees separate themselves from the general bustle of the workplace. This trend is often tied to the growing taste for minimalism, as reducing distractions is a valuable tool in boosting productivity in the workplace.