How much office space do you need?
Index
When you’re starting a business, renting business premises is likely to be one of your biggest expenses, so it’s important to make sure it’s exactly what you need.
Most offices are rented out based on the size of the unit and any facilities they offer. Therefore, if you’re looking for a new office, or want to make better use of your existing office space, it’s essential to work out how much space you actually need.
By planning carefully, you can create a welcoming office space, helping your staff to be as productive as possible. You could also save money by not paying for space you don’t need, or on the flip side, avoid the need to move offices because you need more space. Of course, not all circumstances can be planned for. At our business centres, we try to be as flexible as possible, so you can quickly and easily move to a larger unit if you find you need more room.
Here are our tips on estimating and maximising your business space.
Estimating the office space you need
The minimum amount of space you should allocate per person is 3.7 square meters, but don’t just estimate the size you need based on this. You also need to consider how much room will be taken up by furniture and equipment, floor space to get from one area of the office to another and the layout of the room. Do you need any of the following elements to create a fabulous environment to have a good office space?
- Private offices for senior staff
- A quiet area for staff to focus
- A meeting room
- A separate kitchen area/kitchenette
- Server space
Challenge the traditional
If your company has senior staff, do they really need their own private office? Consider allocating space by working out how much room each employee needs to perform their jobs well rather than their seniority
Just as controversial, does everyone need their own desk? Technology nowadays makes it much easier for people to work flexibly. You could enable staff to work from home, in a nearby shared office or at different hours, freeing up office space and allowing you to have fewer workstations and therefore save money on space.
Use clever storage
Clever storage solutions not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your office space but also optimize functionality, creating an environment where efficiency meets style, and every item has its own designated place.
Clever storage is all about maximizing the potential of your office space while keeping it tidy, organized, and visually appealing. Here are a few more points:
Space Utilization: Clever storage techniques take advantage of every nook and cranny. Under the bed, over the doors, and corners that usually remain empty can be transformed into useful storage areas.
Minimalist Approach: They often embrace a minimalist approach, eliminating clutter and creating a serene environment. Every item has a specific spot, making it easier to find and reducing the time spent looking for things.
Visual Appeal: Beyond functionality, clever storage solutions can add to the decor of a space. For example, floating shelves can act as a display for your books or collectibles, while a beautifully designed ottoman can provide extra seating as well as hidden storage.
Versatility: Clever storage is adaptable. A well-designed storage system can evolve with your needs, with modular components that can be rearranged, added to, or reduced as required.
Accessibility: Well-planned storage makes items easy to find and reach, saving you time and frustration. This is particularly important in spaces like the kitchen or office, where efficiency is key.
Cost-Effective: While some storage solutions may require an initial investment, they often save money in the long run by reducing the need for additional furniture or space, and by extending the lifespan of your items through proper storage.
While storage is essential for most businesses, bulky filing cabinets can take up a large amount of space. There are space efficient options like high-density storage walls, which can also be used as office partitions or floor to ceiling storage solutions. Partial partitions can also reduce noise in open offices, an important factor if you want everyone to be as productive as possible. This type of effiency contributes for a well office space.
If you need to keep documents from previous years, consider archiving. We offer storage space in many of our business centers, allowing you to have easy and convenient access to your items without them taking up valuable space by providing a service that will enhance your office space
Give your staff a say
Ask your employees how they feel their current space can be used better. Are there any areas they feel are being under-used? Your employees are the ones using the workspace on a daily basis so they may well have some great suggestions on how it can be used more efficiently.
I have an online store that I run for business, so I need to rent an office space soon to use as our physical building when we need it. I’m glad you mentioned that the minimum amount of space each person should allocate is 3.7 square meters, so we should keep this in mind when estimating the amount of office space we need. I’ll be sure to bear this in mind while I look for virtual office spaces for rent soon.