How To Effectively Downsize Your Office & Maximise A Smaller Space

Now that the lockdown restrictions have eased, many companies are shifting their focus to their ‘new normal’ office environment. The elements of offices that we’re all so used to are changing to make way for social distancing and an increased emphasis on hygiene. 

While office workers have been given the green light to return, many are choosing to continue working from home, which has sparked an opportunity for companies to downsize or eliminate their communal office spaces altogether.

Is it time to reevaluate whether you really need a big office space? Smaller, more compact (and cheaper!) workplaces might just be the next big thing. So if you’re in the market for downsizing, here’s our guide to doing it effectively and making the most from a smaller space...

• It’s all in the layout 

A good layout is vital to your workplace. In fact, the layout of your office will define how you interact with it which is exactly why we recommend you reach out for professional advice. One mistake could create endless frustration for you and your staff. 

With social distancing in the workplace a key factor to consider, many offices are not equipped to allow for ample space between workers. This can be even harder to accomplish in a smaller space. If you’re looking to create protective barriers between desks, we offer plenty of partitions and screens that are perfect for peace of mind. 

Before you start making any plans consider what you absolutely need from your space. 

Do you need a space dedicated to meetings? Do you value a place to socialise? How many desks will you need? Figure out what your priority is and work from there. 

You can even create a private space in a small area with enclosed booths.

Getting your layout right can be daunting, but at McFeggan Brown we have the expertise to ensure your office design is as good as it can possibly be.

• No bulky furniture 

Furniture takes up a lot of space so make sure you purchase it wisely. 

Be economical about the furniture you buy and try to focus on items that match your brand identity. 

We offer a try before you buy service that lets you see how the furniture really looks before you commit to it. 

• Smart storage 

We highly recommend opting for built-storage solutions so you can make the most of your space. 

No one wants a cluttered office but this can be hard to avoid when you first downsize. More often than not, it’s easy to underestimate just how much storage space you’ll need.  

After all, if you’re not completely purging your office accessories you could quite quickly fill up your space and leave very little wriggle room for any new purchases.  

Keep your office looking neat and tidy with smart storage that works for the space you’re in.

• Don’t forget your wall space

Walls are easily one of the most underutilized spaces in every office!

Moving clunky whiteboards onto the walls and even installing simple shelves can free up huge amounts of floor space. 

We can even work together to come up with innovative ideas for objects that are tricky to place.

Just look at what we did for Strava! We installed the perfect storage mounts for bikes to be securely displayed on the walls. This freed up floor space and created an interesting feature that perfectly represented their brand.

• Prioritise multi-use

Flexibility is key for smaller spaces which is exactly why we suggest incorporating furniture and spaces that can have multiple uses. 

Creating hybrid areas can effectively provide you with the illusion of having more space. 

Having a break-out space that can double up as a meeting space or reception area when it’s not in use can give it a whole new purpose.

• Consider standing desks
  

You might think standing desks are a bit of a fad but they can be really beneficial to your workspace and your staff. 

Aches and pains from sitting at a desk all day are all too common and are often a sign of a workspace that isn’t correctly adjusted to the user. 

A standing desk will keep you on your feet and is reported to be very beneficial to your general wellbeing. There are even convertible standing desks that can be folded down into a normal desk if you’re unsure about committing to standing.

Although they can be on the pricey side, a standing desk is another addition that helps add dimension to a small office space.

• Keep it bright & airy 

Open-plan offices are a top choice for good reason and it can work wonders for small offices.

With no solid walls or doors to work around, an open plan gives you the flexibility to play around with your office layout with quite literally no barriers. 

Enclosed spaces and walls can divide up the workplace and create a segmented feeling that discourages collaboration across departments. 

A huge benefit of an open-plan space is the airy and light feeling it can evoke. 

Lighting is not just important aesthetically, it has a huge impact on the conditions of your workplace. Bad lighting has been shown to negatively impact performance at work as well as the health and wellbeing of workers. 

For smaller offices, good light can give the illusion of a bigger space so it’s well worth speaking to a designer. 

Downsizing to a smaller office can be a difficult process. Once you’ve moved in it can be tricky to change your office layout without disruption, but whether your new space is empty or not, we can create the perfect design for you and work around your schedule to minimise interruption. 

If you’re unsure how to work with a smaller space or need help to fit it out, get in touch with us today to speak to an expert.