Changing Routines with Office Layout
If you're designing a new office space, you need to consider doing so in such a way that you and your employees can adapt to change with as little disruption as possible. Be wary of meeting systems that might seem intriguing and fun at first, such as a projector that drops below in the middle of a table when not in use. What if you update your projector to new technology and it no longer fits? Now that many varieties of office partitions, dividers and temporary walls are available, consider using them; they will adapt more quickly if work space and room sizes need to change quickly.
While short term leases may seem more expensive, in the long run they may be a better move if you are a new company that anticipates change. Why pay for a bigger space until you need it? After all, your business may grow in unanticipated ways. Keeping all employees in one location isn't always the best answer either. Some companies have created office hubs in locations that are more convenient in terms of commutes. Be careful choosing an office space that is not conducive to your company's work style just because it fits all your employees, equipment and cabling. By the same token, if you want to institute a new culture, organize work space in such a way that it is promoted. Then what employees hear at meetings about working differently will begin to make sense more quickly.
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Accenting Office Furniture with Wall Treatments
Although the style of your office furniture will dictate your overall office look, wall treatments can pull the concept together and avoid the boring white wall syndrome. Walls also define spaces and individual activity areas and can give visitors a sense of direction in a big company.
Paint is one of the easiest wall treatments, and unique colors can be created at a paint store. Wallpaper is another great way to hide imperfections on a wall and accent a chosen paint theme, offering the eye interesting patterns, textures and scenes. Vinyl wall paper is usually used in commercial settings. If you want a more traditional, stately look, marble or brick can be used on walls. But also investigate faux painting as it can mimic just about any design element on a wall.
Cladding is using raw materials such as wood as a wall treatment. This is likely to be expensive but could be reserved for rooms where clients meet and are entertained. Fabric is sometimes used on walls too, although it's now more common for vinyl and other sheet materials to be used instead.
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Layout Considerations for Multiple Workstations
When designing a layout for multiple workstations, the main considerations are the amount of space required for the work functions to be performed and the people utilizing the space. Consider giving your employees access to each other for collaborations, but also be sure you're providing some privacy to them. How electronics, such as printers, will be shared should also be considered. The use of corner desks and L-shaped desks can help utilize the space efficiently, while providing enough work space for each employee. The desks should be arranged to encourage face-to-face interaction and promote greater productivity, while providing a relatively quite environment for employees who typically work alone.
There is no simple layout which will be ideal for all office environments. In addition to the factors above, office culture must also be considered. This is important because the layout of the office can contribute to the office culture. A rigid layout which does not promote communication may lead to a tense atmosphere, while a more relaxed environment can promote a more comfortable office culture.
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Incorporating Feng Shui Office Design into the Workplace
To keep the workplace in harmony, many offices arrange their workspaces according to the principles of Feng Shui. When setting up office desks, every worker should be able to see the door of the room by looking upward instead of turning around. If the room will not accommodate this arrangement, a mirror can be installed that will reflect the door for any worker who can’t see it. Every worker should also be able to have a view of the outdoors. For offices without accessible windows, hanging a picture of the outdoors will be effective. No desks should be located beside a door. If there is no other space for a desk, putting a partition or screen in between the door and the desk will keep the two areas separate.
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Using L Shaped Desks Effectively
The L-shaped desk is an excellent desk design for comfort and convenience. L-shaped desks conserve space, allowing the corner of the room to be utilized in a greater capacity. This type of desk also provides enough space to allow a working area and a conferencing area. With a computer desk on one side of the L and a flat surface as a workspace on the other, this shape provides the versatility of two desks in one. Most L-shaped desks also have storage space beneath them, allowing much of the paperwork common in an office to be concealed beneath the desk to keep the work area clear.
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How Storage Cabinets Improve an Office
Storage cabinets are an effective way to organize office equipment and keep it from becoming disorganized and unsightly. With storage cabinets, office supplies and frequently used items are kept organized and concealed. Work spaces can be kept free of unnecessary items and things are kept in a location that everyone in the office can access easily. Office efficiency can also be increased, as less time is wasted in looking for items necessary to complete work functions.
Storage cabinets which can be used in an office come in a variety of sizes. The sizes available make it possible to meet the needs of a small home business as well as a large corporation. Large, free standing storage cabinets may be approximately 72 inches tall and 36 inches wide while other storage cabinets of smaller dimensions are also available.
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Consider Space Limitations when Purchasing Conference Tables
When selecting the size of conference tables, you must also consider the space required for the chairs and to provide room for people to walk around the table. This is important because it will help to create a comfortable work environment. The conference table itself should be large enough to accommodate several people and to enable these people to perform the work functions which will likely be performed in the conference room. There are suggested seat quantities depending on the size of the conference table.
Look for conference tables that also allow you to easily hook up electronics, such as a telephone or laptop. This will allow conference calls and presentations to flow more smoothly because you won't have to spend as much time negotiating space for these pieces of technology.
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Using Office Cabinets to Conceal Electronics
Office cabinets can be utilized to reduce office clutter by concealing many different types of electronic equipment. The office cabinets located under most desks can often be used to conceal the CPU of a computer. Many desks also have holes on the underside or the back to allow cords to reach an outlet. This feature reduces clutter by keeping electrical wires out of sight. Other desks have wider cabinets to conceal a printer and an inside shelf to hold computer paper. Even keyboards can be placed on a concealed tray beneath the surface of the desk that can be tucked underneath when not in use. All of the cabinetry and shelving incorporated into modern desks keeps electronics well hidden.
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Using an Office Wall Partition in a Home Office
With more and more individuals running home businesses and telecommuting, the need for a separate office space in the home has become important to keep the office activities separate from household activities. Wall partitions can be made of many different materials and a temporary partition is a popular way to divide a home office into two separate sections. An office wall partition can either be freestanding or connected to the wall.
Partitions can be combined to form longer walls or cubicles. The use of brackets or other hardware will be necessary to connect the piece to the wall or other partitions. When using wall partitions to construct cubicles, the height of the cubicle will vary according to the height of the office wall partition used. Common wall partition heights are 42”, 60” and 72”.
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Tips for Setting Up Ergonomic Workstations
There are a number of different factors to consider when setting up ergonomic workstations including job function, type of furniture to be used, posture and location. Job function is one of the primary factors to consider when designing an ergonomic workstation. This is important because the daily actions of the employees will help to determine how the workstation can be set up to create greater productivity and maximum comfort. For example, proper positioning of the keyboard is a priority for employees who primarily do data entry. Positioning of the mouse is an important consideration for employees who primarily surf the Internet or perform graphic design functions. The type of furniture used should also be carefully considered when setting up an ergonomic workstation. All of the furniture, equipment and accessories should be considered together to create a cohesive design which will be ergonomic. This means positioning the furniture, equipment, lighting and accessories to ensure the greatest benefit to the employee. Finally, the posture of the employee as well as the location of the employee and equipment should be assessed. This is important because proper posture will help to decrease computer-related injuries incurred on the job. The location of the furniture and equipment should also be a concern when factoring in lighting, ventilation and noise levels in an office.
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