The boss asked you to lead the company’s transfer to a new office location. Much like moving to a new home, setting up an office takes careful planning. It is also essential to keep your business productive during the transition.
Aside from office equipment, software, and reliable Internet access, one of the most critical decisions is the office layout.
Deciding on the layout will determine how much office furniture should be bought.
Is Modular Furniture a Good Choice?
More offices have discovered the advantages of using modular office furniture for the following reasons:
- Flexibility – With different furniture elements, an office can easily change layouts.
- Adaptability – Furniture parts can be reused for a variety of functions. Storage compartments can also be part of the design.
- Customization – With modular furniture, different parts can be divided or combined according to the changing needs of the office.
- Maximized Space – Free space is optimized according to the number of employees.
- Easy Assembly – Modules can be connected easily. This feature is handy when moving to a new office.
- Aesthetic Appearance – Modular designs are simple yet elegant.
- Comfort and Durability – Without sacrificing comfort, modular furniture is made of high-quality materials.
- Low Cost – Due to mass production, the pieces are generally inexpensive.
What is a suitable office layout?
The layout will depend on the type of business you are in, budget considerations, and management decisions.
Here are some office layouts to choose from:
Cellular office layout
Under this layout, employees have their own private space or cubicle. They can work independently with minimal distractions. As such, this layout is ideal for programmers, writers, analysts, and employees who need a high level of concentration.
Businesses that require secure areas for confidential documents will also need this layout.
One disadvantage of this layout is a possible breakdown in communication. Using emails and memos instead of face-to-face meetings can cause misunderstandings.
Open office layout
The office is an open area, with long tables having low partitions shared among many employees.
This setup is ideal for a business that needs frequent verbal interaction and collaboration of employees. Information is shared freely, and this encourages teamwork. Hence, managers will find it easier to supervise their staff under this office layout.
A possible disadvantage is the distractions and noise caused by the open layout. While one may be concentrating on work, the rest may be having loud discussions on an issue.
Co-working office layout
Employees can choose their own space on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ideally used by self-employed workers or freelancers, this layout encourages collaboration and networking.
Since any space can be used, there is very minimal security and privacy. As a tradeoff, this layout is a money saver. Without the need to spend on office space and employees, startups will benefit from the instant provision of office equipment, receptionists, and meeting rooms for clients.
Combination office layout
This layout is the combination of the open and cellular designs. With businesses going global, there is a need for both focused and collaborative work.
Moreover, the option to work-from-home and across time zones has drastically changed how people work. These have to be taken into consideration when planning the office layout.
Therefore, modular office furniture is the logical choice.
Whatever is the selected office layout, the work environment should be a mixture of comfort and elegance. An office that supports the morale and health of its employees will be one of the significant factors of employee retention.
