How to Maximize Small Office Spaces for Small Businesses

One may not instantly realize it but keeping the office space clean and uncluttered is one implicit way of maximizing work productivity. After all, who would want to work in a stench hole? Unfortunately, large office spaces are hard to come by, therefore small businesses have to settle with ones that come with limited space. In this Hubpages article, we look at how you can quickly maximize small office spaces for small businesses. Sometimes, it may simply be a case of reorganization. In other cases, you may have bought furniture that simply takes up too much space. Therefore, planning is extremely essential if you are just about to move to a new office location. By maximizing your office space, not only would the atmosphere appear more stress-free, but clients may also be more impressed by how you have organized everything within a limited time and budget.

Unlike home planning, office decoration and furniture planning takes a lot more effort because you also have to consider other factors such as departments and team organization. For example, certain individuals may have to be in a nearby location in order to be at their optimal level of productivity. Therefore, when you are in the planning phase of the office room organization, you need to be meticulous with the details. Here are several factors you will have to consider when you are planning to reorganize your office.

Furniture & Storage
What kind of service does your business offer? Does it involve a lot of stock? In such a scenario, it would be wise to invest in furniture that can store a lot of things such as wide-space cabinets and shelves. Furniture layout is also important for communication purposes. Do you want the traditional cubical layout? Or is your company atmosphere more open-ended? The type of furniture plays a crucial role on not just the business system but the office layout. Later on, we will make several recommendations on office furniture that suits all purposes.

Communication
As mentioned previously, are there certain hierarchies you need the office layout to adhere to? Does the executive team need their own space for private phone calls? In such a scenario, you will need to plan the office layout carefully so private and public working spaces both have a reasonable share of room space. some jobs may require a lot of teamwork therefore it may simply be the case of investing in one huge desk for all the team members to work on. In other scenarios, people may not need to talk with others all day to get their job done. This is when cubicles are more suitable.

Recreational & Rest
No matter how tight you are on space, you should always offer some sort of recreational space where office workers can gather and rest. Even if it ends up being as small as one table, it is more than enough for several office workers to come together in order to enjoy a lunch break. The work and recreational space should be laid out in a way that does not affect the overall dynamics of the office environment. Dynamics is another important factor of office space maximization. The way in which office workers move and interact. Frequent movement gives off a cramped atmosphere (just like a traffic jam does).

Here are a few simple tips you can follow in order to maximize small office spaces. First, let's have a look at furniture items. These days, computer desks are a must-have item for all offices. Instead of going for traditional square-shaped desks, you could go for L or U Shaped desks instead. These types of desks will save you space by helping you reduce the amount of redundant space underneath and at the far end of the table. U Shape desks are especially great for top executives in your company.

In terms of social dynamics, you should place these furniture items in a manner that prevents over-clogging. For example, furniture items for workers that have to often move around should always be placed in the far-end of the room, either near the door or near a wide corridor. This will prevent greater disruption on those who do not have to move around so often.

Color also plays an important role in space maximization. Certain colors, as well as materials, give off the illusion that the room is much wider than it is. For example, the use of bright colors such as white or lime green can make the room appear much nicer and bigger. You could also utilize mirrors and glass materials in order to give off a greater space illusion. Be careful of the placement though! You would not want people bumping their heads into the glass every so often.