The stronger your business identity, the better it’s reflected in your workspace, and the more likely you are to continually net new clientele. That said, a top-notch workspace isn’t just about bringing new clients in, it’s also about driving productivity in your existing staff.
The key word here? Efficiency. Creating an efficient workspace is an art form, and when you’re embarking on a commercial fitout, you have a chance to pay attention to how you can maximise flow and efficiency to boost productivity and workplace morale.
Balancing efficiency with warmth and comfort can be tricky, so we’re dedicating this blog post to making the journey a bit easier. Read on for five essential tips for creating efficient workspaces as part of a commercial fitout.
First, you need to start with a well-thought-out layout. The way your workspace is structured will have a huge impact on how well your staff works. Keep in mind that layout recommendations that work for one space won’t necessarily work for yours. Put purpose first: what does your staff do all day? What do they need from the space? What productivity markers best indicate success?
For example, open-plan spaces are excellent for workspaces that thrive on collaboration and creativity, but if focused discussions or quiet, streamlined productivity are more important, dedicated offices are more important.
Before you jump into your commercial fitout, we recommend doing an in-house audit of your workspace. This is two-pronged: observe, and check-in.
A big part of your commercial fitout is the furniture that will come with it. Efficient workspaces always come down to the comfort of the employees. Comfortable, happy employees are able to do their best work, and ergonomic furniture heavily reduces strain and fatigue for your staff.
A few of the best investments we recommend to our clients include height-adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and well-positioned monitors are all essentials to any office space.
When in doubt, lean into flexibility. Modular furniture, mobile workstations, and collaborative seating arrangements will allow your space to keep evolving as your business changes (which it inevitably will!).
Lighting plays a bigger role in workplace efficiency than many people realise. Poor lighting does a lot to harm productivity across a range of different commercial spaces. It causes eye strain, contributes to increased fatigue, and generally undercuts safety (despite best-laid plans).
On the other hand, well-planned lighting can do enormous amounts for your staff’s collective concentration and mood. Where possible, natural lighting is always the best option. But not all workspaces have the luxury of large windows, in which case, energy-efficient LED lighting that mimics the effects of natural daylight is a fantastic alternative.
We recommend leaning into layered lighting. Combine overhead lighting – designed to illuminate the entire space – with task lighting at specific workstations. This makes sure that all spaces are well-lit, visually appealing, and drive productivity rather than undercutting it.
Clutter has been and will always be the enemy of productivity. As part of planning your fitout, look into ways you can incorporate smart storage into your commercial fitout. The type of storage required will depend on what your business focuses on, but the general idea is the same: decluttering your workspace will streamline your day-to-day, allowing your staff to focus on their work without unnecessary stress.
Of course, we live in a vastly accelerated world, so digital storage is just as important. Consider encouraging a paperless office by integrating a cloud-based file management system to significantly reduce clutter while ensuring you don’t lose what matters most – your data!
For physical storage, consider multi-functional furniture with built-in storage to make the most of your space. No one wants to clutter their office with shelves upon shelves, so selecting space-saving solutions like integrated filing drawers or benches that double as storage can be a major help.
As you can see, creating an efficient workspace is about more than just how everything looks. Taking the time to carefully plan your commercial fitout with the help of a professional, focusing on flexibility, and leaning into your space’s purpose will help you hit the nail on the head.
At QBS, we create commercial spaces that inspire. From bespoke builds to partnering with your chosen designer, we’re ready for it all and have the experience to back even the most elevated plan.
We collaborate with you to understand the day-to-day realities of your workspace and incorporate efficient modern design choices to improve the space. Enquire with us today to begin.
