The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we work forever. Although we are now over 3 years down the line, the post-pandemic way of working is still affecting businesses. In fact, Applaud found that 26% of businesses in the UK are looking to close, downsize or consolidate their offices. A large factor behind this is the introduction of fully remote or hybrid working. The same research found that 53% of businesses now offered one of the two options to its staff and therefore the demand for large office spaces has fallen dramatically.
If you have also downsized your office in recent years, and are now looking to refurbish the space, here are 4 things to consider when undertaking a small commercial office refurbishment.
Smart storage
If your office is lacking storage space, it may be time to think outside the box. If storage in any capacity is not possible, digitising your files is the logical answer. Having your files, documents and other important assets on a ‘cloud’ will save space and also make them easily accessible for any staff working remotely.
We understand that this is not always possible, and if physical copies are still needed why not include more shelving or store above the desk/ head height? Often, most storage solutions such as filing cabinets are on the floor but if you need to free this space up, moving your files above head is an effective solution. Also, any cabinets or storage solutions which go floor-to-ceiling can achieve the same effect. Any way you can make use of the space above you will help free up floor space.
Improve the flow of your office
In a small office, having a smooth flow around the room is key. Consider this when placing your desks and other furniture items. Could you easily walk around the room without bumping into anything? If the answer is no, it may be time to re-think the layout or consider different furniture pieces to make this possible.
The flow of your office is also not just physical. The flow of air and light is also an important aspect to consider. When working on small office refurbishments and commercial refurbishments, we like to work around windows, for example, as maximising the natural light within a space has been proven to increase productivity. If the office did need to be divided further, glass partitioning would be chosen in order to ensure natural light still reaches this area.
Consider colour
Of course, your branding will be a big influencing factor when it comes to choosing which colours are featured in your office refurbishments and commercial refurbishments, but certain colours do work best in smaller offices.
Typically, anything light which includes a light, neutral tone works well such as white, cream or a pearl grey. Natural light can easily bounce off these colours to make a room feel bigger than it is. Anything darker, for example a navy, can make small offices feel cramped and this negatively impacts on your employees motivation, especially on a grey winter day! Neutral tones not only make the room feel bigger, but also compliment pretty much any other colour you wish to use.
If you are wanting to incorporate more colour within your small office refurbishment or commercial refurbishment, we would recommend muted, earthy colours. Think olive or khaki greens and pastel shades. We are also big fans of ‘Colour Blocking’, where you can use an intense colour in one area of the office. It can really bring character to the office and separate one section from another. For example, if you had a coffee cart, you could paint the wall behind this a bright colour to differentiate.
Be flexible
If you have downsized due to remote or hybrid working, making sure your new office is flexible, agile and able to accommodate this is crucial.
The pandemic has also seen a rise in online meetings and video calls and therefore working this into your small office refurbishment can make the transition from home to office much easier. If your team takes a lot of online calls we always recommend office privacy pods or meeting booths. These can be tucked away in a corner and provide a space for independent work to improve focus, or an acoustically-sound area to take calls. Of course, not all booths will be suited to small spaces so it is important to know which will best suit your office.
Need help with your small office refurbishment?
If you are struggling to maximise your space, we can help. From workspace consultancy to full office fit outs and refurbishments, our team are knowledgeable, experienced and ready to offer advice! Get in touch here.
