There are many benefits to downsizing your office space. It can be a money saver, a workforce enticer, and a business expansion enabler, but making it happen can be tricky without some careful planning. The point is not to move into a new office that will have you and your employees crammed and rubbing elbows with each other for an extended period of time. Instead, you want to find a smaller yet comfortable space that eliminates unused areas yet keeps functionality at its full potential. If you are downsizing your office, consider these tips:
To Downsize Your Office Space, Don’t Think Traditionally
Multi-Functional Rooms
Many companies have dedicated conference rooms, meeting rooms, and break rooms that people use on a regular, but isolated, basis. These rooms usually serve specific purposes and the rest of the time each sits empty and unused. Businesses can easily conserve space by finding an office that has a room that can be used for all of these purposes. A single room can be dedicated for those eating lunch for several hours in the day and then serve as a meeting room or conference room during other business hours. This will cover all your business needs while reducing the amount of office space required.
Furniture
Workspaces, tables, and chairs are all relatively easy to change when downsizing your office. Many furniture companies now have modular furniture options or furniture that can be converted and used in multiple ways. For example, a large table that can be broken down to several smaller ones or a desk that also acts as storage space can be extremely useful to the business trying to save space. Easily moved lightweight furniture and furniture on wheels can also make reconfiguring your office easy when the need arises.
Location
There are many alternatives to the traditional, stand-alone office building. If you are looking to downsize your daily needed square footage you may consider alternative workspaces. Pairing up with another business to share conference areas or break rooms can help decrease the square footage of your needed personal office space. You can also encourage your employees to work from different locations. Allowing your employees to work from home or another location, even on a rotating basis, can save your company loads of space.
Think Vertically or Digitally
When needing more storage space, many businesses tend to expand horizontally, adding in another desk or file cabinet. Horizontal expansion however is not always the best option. Businesses can use less square footage if storage is built vertically or digitally. Acquiring shelves to go on top of desks or to be secured on walls can mean less furniture spread throughout the office. Digital storage is also a great option to reduce the amount of furniture and thus space needed in an office. You can remove large amounts of paper and store it online or on hard drives and turn a whole file cabinet into a folder on a computer with digital storage.
Interior Designers
Designing an office to be both functional and space efficient requires skill and knowledge about what products are out there and what designs are functional. Interior designers can design and organize an office for functionality and efficiency no matter the office size. Choose interior designers that partner with a relocation company for a smooth transition through space design, furniture selection, and furniture installation. If your goal is to have a small yet functional office, hiring a moving company that is paired with interior designers can help your business achieve your ideal balance of office size, storage area, and workspace room.
Downsizing to a smaller office can be a beneficial decision for your company. With some careful planning you can obtain increased efficiency in a smaller space and save money all at the same time. Think outside the standard office space to downsize effectively and remember these practical tips for a smooth transition
Work with The Quality Group
At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality Group serves the Gulf States with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.