Workplace Solutions to Create the Best Office Space for Your Business 

Interior trends to make employees comfortable and productive.

By Steven Lang , President and CEO of DS&D On Nov 25, 2014

Regardless of whether a company rents or owns its space, leadership must view office space not as an amortized asset, but as a strategic tool that can be used to attract and retain talent, drive organizational growth and truly maximize return on real estate investment.

Several trends have emerged in the interiors environment that provide companies of all sizes with an opportunity to more effectively leverage their office space as a tool for increasing productivity, boosting morale and encouraging collaboration among employees. The following interior solutions can help companies of all sizes maximize their work environment regardless of how big or small their current space is:

Ditch the cubicle mentality: Open office plans have become popular among companies of all sizes, but they are growing in popularity in small businesses since open allow employees to communicate and collaborate more easily and encourage engagement. This engagement often leads to the development of stronger company cultures and brand identity.

Respect the need for privacy: Creating open work areas can increase productivity and collaboration. Nevertheless, most employees need a quiet place to think or do ‘head down’ work from time to time. Creating huddle rooms where employees can reserve time for quiet work or to make personal phone calls adds to the flexibility of the overall work environment and helps to meet the diverse needs of employees.

Invest in furniture: Just like good, well-designed furniture can transform your home, it can do the same for your office. Invest in durable, but flexible, pieces that can serve multiple purposes and that can accommodate changes in technology and the way employees work.

Don’t departmentalize: Often, employees are grouped together by department and/or job function. Take the open floor plan one step further and integrate different departments and individuals within the floor plan to facilitate growth, cross-pollination and innovation.

Optimize density: A recent report from CBRE Group Inc. shows that the average office space is occupied only 48 percent of the time due to the increasing mobility of today’s workforce. Transform any under-used spaces into collaborative work environments or shared workplaces to better utilize your existing space and create a more engaging environment that provides more opportunities for collaboration.

For best results, business owners should consult with an architect and/or an office design firm to develop design strategies and solutions that best meet the needs of their business and employees.

About the Author: Steven Lang is president and CEO of DS&D, an interior solutions provider for corporate, healthcare and education environments.