What do you need in your office space?

In today's fast-paced and highly competitive business environment, it's important to have a well-designed office space that fosters productivity and creativity. A cluttered, disorganised workspace can lead to distractions, and stress, and ultimately affect the overall team performance. In today's hybrid working world, a well-designed office is also essential for facilitating effective communication and collaboration between onsite and remote team members, leading to a cohesive and inclusive work culture.

Ergonomic furniture plays a pivotal role in maintaining a productive workspace. Not only does it facilitate comfortable working conditions, but it also promotes better posture, reducing the risk of issues like back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, which are common in office settings. 

The importance of effective lighting in an office space cannot be overstated. Artificial and natural light play critical roles in fostering a productive and happy work environment. Natural light is renowned for its ability to boost mood, enhance alertness, and improve overall well-being. In the UK, where the winters are dark and long, harnessing as much natural light as possible is essential. 

When the natural light has disappeared, artificial lighting steps in. Properly designed artificial lighting systems can compensate for the lack of natural light especially in the winter months, helping to maintain high levels of productivity and focus. Moreover, well-balanced lighting reduces the strain on the eyes, preventing fatigue and increasing comfort, which are key factors in maintaining a consistent level of performance throughout the workday.

A well-chosen colour scheme can inspire creativity, stimulate concentration, and elevate mood. Bright colours such as yellow and orange can invigorate and stimulate, promoting active engagement and lively discussions. Cooler tones like blue and green, on the other hand, create a calming ambience that can help reduce stress and encourage focused thinking. Hence, carefully selecting the colours for your workspace is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of creating a productive office environment.

Quick AV technology in meeting rooms has become crucial in the era of remote work and international business. With clear audio-visual systems, employees can easily hold virtual meetings with remote colleagues and clients, enhancing collaboration and ensuring seamless communication.

In an era of open-plan offices and remote work, creating designated spaces for calls and meetings is crucial. Phone booths, meeting rooms, and casual catch-up areas each serve a unique purpose and facilitate a range of interactions in the workplace. 

Phone booths provide a private, quiet space for sensitive calls or focused work, reducing noise disruptions for the rest of the team. There is an ever-growing list of phone booth providers. We recommend choosing one however that can be easily disassembled and taken with you to your next office space. 

Meeting rooms, whether formal or informal, offer spaces where groups can collaborate, brainstorm, and make decisions together. If your business is meeting heavy it may be worth finding an office space with a private dedicated meeting room. Be sure to weigh up the extra monthly cost associated with this against how much you would spend otherwise on hiring external meeting rooms. Many serviced office providers however also provide a generous amount of monthly meeting room credits which allow you to book the communal onsite meeting rooms at no extra cost.

Breakout areas within an office space play a crucial role in promoting creativity, collaboration, and relaxation among team members. These casual spaces provide a welcome change of environment from the regular workstations, enabling employees to step away from their desks and engage in informal discussions. Breakout areas can stir creativity, foster stronger team relationships, and provide a perfect setting for impromptu brainstorming sessions. 

An office kitchen is not just a place for meals but also contributes towards employee satisfaction, productivity and well-being. Making sure the office kitchen is well stocked with tea, coffee, and snacks is an office essential not to be overlooked. 

The kitchen acts as a communal hub, encouraging employees to take essential breaks, socialise, and recharge, thereby boosting energy levels and productivity. Moreover, a diverse selection of drinks and snacks catering to various dietary requirements demonstrates consideration for employee wellness and inclusivity. Providing alternatives such as dairy-free milk options, gluten-free, vegan, and healthy snacks ensures that every team member's preferences and dietary needs are respected and met. This can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and morale, indirectly contributing to a more constructive and productive work environment.

Incorporating biophilic design elements, such as indoor plants, into your office environment is not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a healthier, more productive workspace. Plants have been proven to reduce stress levels and increase productivity by purifying the air and creating a more relaxed atmosphere.

Consulting an expert such as a workspace designer can be incredibly beneficial when deciding what you need in your office space. They can provide valuable insights into the optimal use of space, ergonomic needs, lighting, colour psychology, and even the latest trends in office design. Furthermore, they can help you make strategic decisions that could enhance productivity, promote employee well-being, and reflect your company's brand and culture. Thus, while it may seem like an additional expense, engaging a workspace designer could prove to be a valuable investment for your business in the long run. 

Involving employees in your office design decision-making is crucial, as they are the ones who use the space daily and are aware of its functional strengths and weaknesses. Soliciting their feedback can provide insightful perspectives on what works well and what needs improvement. This could be something as simple as changing the coffee supplier or adding an extra phone booth due to high demand. 

Employee feedback can be collected through surveys or suggestion boxes. Regular team meetings can also be a platform where employees openly share their views and ideas. This not only results in a more functional and comfortable workspace but also boosts employee morale and productivity as they feel valued and heard.

With over 50 years in the industry, Andrews Office Furniture is the go-to for anything from a single office chair all the way up to standalone meeting booths. For businesses looking to cut costs, they have a range of second-hand options which are very competitively priced. You can buy online or visit one of their showrooms in person. They also offer free delivery and installation. 

MEAVO supply a range of phone booths and meeting pods, they’re trusted and used by many leading companies such as Monzo and Google. They offer free delivery in the mainland UK and you can also select from a wide range of colours at no extra cost. 

Patch Plants 

With a huge range of plants available to buy online, Patch is the perfect place to make sure your office is stocked with greenery. They can also offer a bespoke installation and maintenance service if needed. 

Rethinking office design for a more flexible future
Useful advice from Zoe Ellis-Moore on how to rethink your office space design to meet the needs of a hybrid workforce. 

How to design a sustainable office
Top tips on how to make sure you’re implementing sustainable practices when designing your office. 

Interview with top Workspace designer Heather Lehmann
Heather has worked with numerous Tally clients and helped them design and optimise their office space. She shares some of her tips including how to work out how many meeting rooms/phone booths you need. 

Where and how to score a bargain when kitting out your new office.

Our team at Tally Workspace is always here to kickstart the search for your ideal office space tailored to your specific needs. Over the years, we've had the privilege of aiding hundreds of companies in locating their perfect workspace and determining their unique requirements. We believe in the power of a well-designed workspace in driving productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction. We’ll leverage our experience and knowledge to help you find and create an environment where your business can thrive. Are you searching for office space in London? Let us know your office requirements here to get started!