NewsWhy a well designed office space is so important

Why a well designed office space is so important

16 May 2018

These days it only takes a second to google “Cool Office Spaces” or “Trendy Office Design” because fun offices are the in thing, but how important is it really? Does the design of your company’s office space really have an impact on both employees and clients? Here at Urban World we think yes. The space you work in says more about your brand and your work place ethos than you think and here are some reasons why.

1. Your team spends a lot of time there.

Your office design matters to your employees' health. According to a study comparing workers in different office environments, workers in older, darker and noisier offices had higher stress levels than those in newer, sunlit spaces. In fact, the effect was great enough to impact heart health. Your staff works hard, and they deserve to do so in a place that not only meets their needs, but also makes them happy. That means going beyond ergonomic chairs, coffee stations and standing desks to create a space that is both pleasant to look at and healthy to be in.

2. Prospective talent will Google your company.

Prospective employees will search for your company to get an idea of what it would be like to work there. And just like you carefully choose your LinkedIn headshot, you want your office to look good in its "profile picture." Top talent will look for any nuance to help whittle down their application list, so you need to do what you can to stand out. It can be simple, but your space should be unique. And once you've designed something eye-catching, invest in having it professionally photographed.

3. Your clients have expectations.

You want your office space to live up to the promises you've made to both your clients and partners. It is important that regardless of the industry you’re in – be it tech or retail - your office portrays the same message as your brand. People do judge a book by its cover, so make sure yours matches what's inside. Are you regal and experienced? Maybe that mahogany-shelved library is the way to go. Playful and imaginative? Add a few arcade games. Secure and futuristic? Go for steel and grey.

4. It speaks to your values.

Where you locate your office space -- and what you do with it -- speaks to your company values. You can build an eco-certified space to show your commitment to being green, rent in an up and coming neighborhood where you can help add to the economy or ensure you’re close to transportation for both city and suburban dwellers. Inside, you can support local artists with your furniture and art, go healthy with your snack supply, or setup kid-friendly areas for working parents. Show the elements your brand deems important through your office design and location

5. Purposeful design supports a purpose-driven culture.

You'll see a lot of companies using their office features as "perks," when they should be thinking of them in terms of culture. Great culture doesn't just happen naturally; it has to be imagined, nurtured and supported. If you want a culture that focuses on teamwork, make sure to leave plenty of gathering space for collaboration. If creativity is important, show it with inspiring art and places to play around. Ask your staff for suggestions about what spatial features would allow them to do their best work.

Office design matters. You may not need to install a pirate ship next to your reception desk, but you do need to think about how you want to be perceived, what messages you want to convey and how you want your staff to feel when they're at work. When you get your space right, the investment will pay off.

Contact Urban World today if you are thinking about an office redesign, need help with special planning or simply need new furniture. We are here to help you make the most of your work space.

 

Reference: Zach Robbins

https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/5-reasons-your-office-design-really-does-matter.html