GUEST POST BY TAG OFFICE   |   The way we treat the modern workplace is entirely different from just a decade ago. What once was a place of stoicism and uniformity now is a place of positivity and empowerment. Office design trends have changed exponentially throughout the years, and the one thing that your business has to do above everything else is attracting talent and retain them, too. Unfortunately, many business owners aren’t quite sure how to go about maximising the space of a smaller office compared to a larger one, and this is where you would have the chance to really get creative.

Design Trends & Your Office
If you did some research on design trends over the years, you might be shocked to learn how things have changed. We are less 9-5 and more fluid in our work lives and our work ethic. People want a better balance in their working life, and company management is stepping up to offer that. Due to the increase in flexible working, smaller office spaces are needed. A lot of businesses are jumping on the Marie Kondo bandwagon, decluttering to the extreme and downsizing to save cash.

The traditional focus on functionality has changed, and the developments in technology have also changed the way that we work. Office design plays a considerable role in the success of your business, whether it’s for the productivity of the staff or the way your clients view your business. Large and glass offices are often impressive, but that doesn’t mean that a smaller office cannot be impressive!

Innovate To Generate

As innovation is a big part of the future of any business, you need to look at where you can implement it. Maximizing your office space is one way to ensure that you continue to generate revenue while not wasting any of your money on the place you go to work. With a little creativity, you can ensure that you have the perfect space – small is mighty! Let’s take a look at the steps you can make to maximize your small office space.

Assess Your Office Space

Take your measuring tape out and get to know the dimensions of each space in your office. You want to know everything from the storage cupboards to the ceiling height. Get sketches drawn up of the space that you got, and then make a list of the things that you need to have.

Know Your Investment Priorities

Once you know the space that you have to work with, you can then decide where you want to invest your money. For those who still have clients visiting, painting the walls and adding artwork can offer immediate visual impact. Get your Marie Kondo on and declutter absolutely everything so that your office looks chic and spacious – even if there isn’t much space to work with. If you have a smaller space, invest your money in the few pieces of furniture that you need by going high-end with your choices.

Collaborative Furniture

One of the significant office design trends that is catching on is in collaborative furniture. As a smaller office, you need to maximize your space where you can, and collaboration is an integral part of your company puzzle. Collaborative furniture, such as freestanding media units for meetings in the office and larger meeting desks for groups to sit at. Given that remote working is more popular, the rare moments that staff would be needed in the office are less. That doesn’t mean that there needn’t be workspaces available.

Flexible Working Spaces

A smaller office means flexible working spaces; you don’t want any restriction at all in the small office space that you have to work with. Making the meeting areas as accessible as possible and allowing staff to work where they are most comfortable throughout the day – rather than allocated desks – is an excellent way to add the furniture you need, rather than do it by the numbers that you have.

Natural Light

Have you ever heard of biophilic design? As a way to bring in more light, more nature and maximize a stress-free environment, the biophilic design was born. Your small office space needs as much light and clear air as possible to give the illusion of space, and this type of design trend can help you to achieve it. The amount of light that pours into space has an effect on the people within it; it also shows every corner. Combine this trend with a light office colour on the walls, and you create an illusion that is as impressive as anything.

Integrating Technology

Instead of substantial, bulky desks and computer stands, it’s time to embrace a little technology in your small office. With everything done electronically, you need to keep up with the advancements. Go for laptops instead of desktops and allow your employees to be flexible in where they choose to work. Allow for power outlets to be stored within the walls and within the furniture, so that they are discreet and can be used where needed. Add in video conferencing technology and wireless charging stations, and you create what you need to maximize your space and facilitate a smart working environment.

Co-Working Spaces

You have smaller floor space, and the traditional desk setups just aren’t working for your office anymore. It’s time to look at cohabitation spaces, which is a huge design trend for 2019. You can have staff working separately but side by side; open spaces, open resources and shared talent across the board. The whole idea is to maximize the space provided, remain flexible in working and in severing the lines between individual teams, allowing everyone to work together in the same building. By allowing your staff a sense of freedom, they can work together in the building, or you can enable them to work off-site and save money on your office rent. Whichever way that you choose to do it, your office space needs to be maximized for optimum productivity.