Large offices with grand designs can be great, but you don’t need masses of space to be successful. With the right approach and clever interior design, a small space can achieve big things.
With small and medium-sized enterprises making up 99% of the UK’s businesses, small office space is in high demand. With hybrid working now commonplace, even larger companies are turning to small office rentals to maximise ROI.
Whether your limited workspace is by choice or due to practical considerations, you too can leverage your office to maximise productivity.
The relationship between interior office design and productivity
How you design and use your small workspace can have a significant impact on employee productivity. Office layout attributes that improve employee productivity can include:
●Comfortable breakout areas: Employees who take regular breaks are 22% more productive on average.
●Natural lighting: Reports suggest that 75% of employees get a productivity boost after exposure to natural light.
●Use of colour: Colour psychology can play a role in employee behaviour. For example: turquoise encourages communication and purple boosts creativity, while green has a calming and refreshing effect.
●Freedom to move: Cramped spaces make for stressed employees. This in turn can decrease their focus, productivity, and creativity.
Tips to enhance productivity and maximise small office spaces
Setting up a small office requires smart design and efficient use of space. If you get it right, you can boost productivity and improve office morale. With that in mind, let’s explore some practical things you can do to maximise your small office interior.
1. Evaluate your office space needs
Every business is different. It’s therefore important to take some time to think about what you need from the limited space you have.
Do your employees require peace and quiet to concentrate on intensive tasks? Do they need coworking spaces to collaborate and brainstorm? Perhaps you need an office that can provide both.
Whatever it is, think about what you and your employees need before you do anything else. This can help inform subsequent decisions if you need a small office to rent.
2. Make use of common areas
Studies suggest that happy people are more productive. Although it may seem counterintuitive, providing comfortable areas where employees can socialise increases productivity. It can also contribute to a positive work culture and decrease staff turnover.
Common areas can also double up as coworking and collaboration stations. Creating comfortable break-out spaces, therefore, allows you to get the most out of your office interior and your employees.
3. Organise your office
Work environments are typically quite busy, so it’s easy for offices to become cluttered. If you’re operating from a small workspace, this can make the office feel smaller than it is. Good organisation can improve productivity while keeping clutter to a minimum.
Create ‘in and out’ mailboxes for processing paperwork, or hide and secure lengthy cables with designated hooks. Small details like these can help to minimise clutter.
Going paperless is another great way to boost work efficiency, increase productivity, and is generally a greener way of working. It could also open up precious desk space where a cumbersome printer used to be.
4. Be flexible with your office layout
Whether you have four employees or 40, everybody likes to work differently. Providing a flexible office layout allows workers to operate in a way that’s best for them.
This may change at different points in time. However, by providing multiple options and workstations, you can get the most out of your employees throughout the working day.
5. Maximise natural light
Natural light can have a positive impact on productivity as well as employee wellbeing. If you don’t have access to natural light, opt for overhead LED lighting instead of uplighting which casts shadows.
Where possible, avoid desk lamps and floor lamps that take up space. If you need lamps, try ones that clip onto the side of the desk. These are agile and take up less room.
6. Choose smaller and multi-functional furniture
Most people don’t need a huge desk to work from, especially if your organisation has gone paperless. Small desks open up floor space, and this extra room creates opportunities for break-out areas and other morale-boosting designs.
Desks with wheels also help to get the most out of the space. You can move floating desks and office chairs around with ease, which allows you to change the office layout to suit different tasks and projects.
7. Use walls and vertical space
Creative use of vertical space can also help you to get more out of small office areas. Hanging hooks and pots for office stationery within reach is a great way to streamline efficiencies.
Employees can have easy access to everything they need without interrupting their workflow.
8. Regularly declutter
Even when we’re organised and productive, office clutter can build up. To get the most out of your space, make a conscious effort to declutter regularly.
Whether it’s old paperwork or dried-up highlighter pens, consider removing or replacing anything that doesn’t need to be there.
9. Make use of digital storage and paperless systems
Paperless is the way to go as you can save so much space on storage alone. From desk drawers to filing cabinets, you can free up valuable room in a modern small office.
You could even turn an old storage area into a dedicated office or meeting room.
10. Consider smart storage solutions
If you still need storage, you can find creative solutions that maximise the available space in your small office. Use the vertical space with hooks, pots, and shelving or use hooks and small shelves underneath desks.
11. Try multi-functional spaces
When selecting a small office to rent, prioritise spaces that have more than one function. Use break-out areas for both socialising and brainstorming or use long communal tables for coworking and team lunches.
Additionally, coworking spaces can double up as meeting rooms.
If you only need meeting rooms every once in a while, consider renting a small office in a serviced office building. This allows you to make the most of your small office space and book meeting rooms and on-site facilities when you need them.
12. Optimise technology and connectivity
Leveraging technology and digital tools can help you to streamline operations, increase productivity, and get more out of limited office layouts.
Ensuring that employees have access to high-speed Wi-Fi in all areas of the office is essential. Automating tasks like ordering supplies saves time and effort. It also ensures your employees always have the tools they need to do their jobs.
Smart lighting and temperature control can also boost productivity and improve employee well-being.
Find and optimise the perfect small office space for your business
Making the most of your small office is not just about the physical space. Well-designed office space can increase productivity, improve employee well-being, and reduce staff turnover.
Whether you run a startup or an established conglomerate, it’s important to set up an office that supports agile working. Focus on flexible workspaces that allow employees to connect seamlessly with those working from home.
Stick to small individual desks to create more room for break-out spaces. Prioritise natural lighting and incorporate indoor plants where possible.
At Regus, we understand that every business is different. Whether it’s flexible coworking spaces, custom offices, or small private offices, we can help you find a space that allows you to work your way.
Browse our global office locations to find your perfect small office space. Or, for further advice and assistance, talk to one of our experts today.