Proper Office Furniture Arrangement

Rules and examples of furniture arrangement in different offices

How to properly furnish an office? In this article, we will discuss rules of furniture arrangement, advice and recommendations for C-suits and types of layouts and design.

Office is premises or a complex of rooms designed for work. Employees’ productivity depends on:

furniture arrangement

absence of irritators

proper lighting

So, it’s important to create space pleasant for work and relaxation alike.

How much furniture fits into an office?

Before rushing into furniture shops or scrolling through online catalogues, be sure to settle what your office is designed for. Will it be a call-center? Or, maybe, you want to create a unique waiting space for endless numbers of clients for your business? Or you have to furnish a small office for three?

Whatever your aim is, pay attention to the following things.

Working space

As soon as you’re settled about the aim, start looking for desirable premises. Every employee should feel comfortable at his working space. The rules establish that each person should have his own space of at least 48,5 sq. ft. It means that an office for 3 employees should be at least 130-140 sq. ft in size, or they won’t be productive at work.

Tip: calculate the areas of potential premises yourself, for cadastral certificates don’t always have valid information.

Number of employees

This data is important for the furniture purchase.

Breathing space

Never place within a hair’s breadth of each other. It will decrease workers’ productivity, they won’t be able to move freely, and it’s simply uncomfortable. According to the rules, the desired spacing between the desk is at least 6.5 ft.

Lighting

Proper lighting raises workers’ spirits, improves their wellbeing and, as a result, boosts their productivity.

Working space planning

Offices in the form of a box are outdated, nowadays walls can be demolished, built up, partitions added to the spaces, floors are raised – everything to create a comfortable and modern office. All these amendments are guided by the chosen layout type that will later dictate furniture arrangement and interior design.

Layout Types

Open-space layout

The main idea is creating an open space (obviously) with no partitions and separate rooms. Sometimes the head’s office can be a separate room, but a more frequent option is one open space.

But this type of layout may differ based on employees’ preferences:

Teamwork focus

If teamwork is important, be sure to create space comfortable for communication and sharing ideas. This is vital when a team works on one project.

Premises with partitions

Sometimes people prefer a certain level of privacy based on their activities or personal traits. In this case you can divide open space with partitions. This layout type is perfect for something like call centers.

Low partitions

This option is perfect for those who cherish their privacy but need to communicate with colleagues regularly. Such a layout type ensures comfortable working conditions.

“Cluster” office

This is a space where desks are put into groups facing each other. Groups are divided by little partitions. This is a perfect type for one project worked out by several teams interacting with each other. For better understanding, take a look at the photos below.

Open space has its obvious advantages:

• Uninterrupted communication;
• Tight connections;
• Controlled working process, as everyone is seen;
• No gossiping.

If promotion is tied to having a separate office, this will be extra motivation for work.

But there also are drawbacks:

• Noisy environment;
• No privacy and, as a result, personal discomfort.

You have to consult with colleagues and employees before opting for this layout to make sure they will feel comfortable.

Office-type layout

This is the most classical way of dividing premises into separate offices. This is a historical way of office arrangements, when space was divided into several rooms with a waiting hall for clients. Rooms could fit up to five employees performing similar actions.

Nowadays many companies acquire the same layout type.

Advantages:

• Comfortable private zone;
• Positive working environment;
• No distracting noise;
• Team spirit.

No doubt it’s easier to find common ground with 3-5 colleagues rather than the whole personnel at once.

Disadvantages:

• If the premises were not designed for offices, layout change will be quite costly.
• No easy communication between the departments.
• No control over the working process.
• Employees can experience difficulties with relationship building, as it’s not always easy to find common ground with people in the same room.

Mixed layout

Layout type that unites open space and separate offices. This helps eliminate all the drawbacks and create comfortable working space. Heads and accountants may have separate offices, as well as HR department and all those who work with confidential information. Other employees work in an open space that may or may not be divided by partitions.

When to choose mixed layout?

This layout type is perfect for large companies with many departments, like touristic and ad agencies, event companies, etc. Open space boosts creativity and team work, while people in separate offices can solve tasks that require additional concentration.

Office interior design

Your next step after establishing layout type is interior design.

Integral style is the key point of interior design. Furniture, decoration work, décor – everything should harmonize to create comfortable space where employees want to work and clients want to come back.

The most popular among modern styles are:

• Hi-tech;
• Loft;
• Modern;
• Techno-art;
• Futuristic.

Notable is classics as an alternative to minimalistic style.

Key points in interior design

While choosing the style, be sure it complies with the needs of employees. Don’t forget about a lounge zone and kitchen zone where workers can relax, chat and discuss working moments. It usually positively affects their productivity.

Rules of furniture arrangement

One doesn’t simply furnish the office according to their inner desires. You have to comply with space and interior design and follow simple rules.

• Don’t place workers face to face;



It can lead to unwanted competition between workers.

If you can’t avoid such positioning, place partitions between the desks to avoid competition. In addition, this will help retain privacy and concentration.

• Do not place workers back to back;



They will constantly bump into each other’s chairs while moving around. Either avoid such furniture arrangement or leave enough space for movements. It’s better if a partition or a cabinet are placed behind a worker.

• Place desks under the stairs or massive chandeliers;



An employee can feel pressure and discomfort working in such conditions and it will significantly reduce their productivity. You have to provide for a safe and comfortable working environment.

• Place desks behind each other;



Such arrangement resembles school rooms and will eventually affect team spirit. Moreover, backrow workers may “play truant” and hide behind the back of their colleagues.

Furniture placement in small premises

It’s quite a challenging task to plan small premises. Every detail of such arrangement must be ergonomic and functional. The best decision is minimalistic style as there’s simply no space for unnecessaries.

Tricks to visually expand small premises

There are some secrets to visually expand small space:

• Opt for light colors in design and furniture.

It will create an airy environment and calm atmosphere perfect for work. If you’re a fan of bright colors, add some bright details such as an unusual chair or stylish potted plants.



• Provide the room with enough light.

Light is a necessity, not luxury, so don’t overlook the lighting issues.



• Don’t cover windowsills and windows.

That’s the key point to make your office look bigger. The bigger your windows are, the more comfortable the environment will be.



• Use mirrors.

This unusual element of office furnishing will visually expand the room. Opt for decorative or tinted mirrors.

In general, any office for 1-3 workers can be a comfortable place. Talk to the personnel and find out what they want to see in the office, set your aim, have the space and interior design done and furnish the premises. And if your workers feel discomfort next to each other, place partitions between their desks.

Afterword

If you want to pay twice and rearrange the space, think through these key points in advance:

• Office purposes;
• Number of employees;
• Workers’ preferences and needs;
• Style and interior design.

Space and interior design is created based on this data, and then all construction work is performed.

While purchasing the furniture, pay attention to its quality. It has to be ergonomical, functional, comfortable and beautiful. Interior design and furniture will affect the working environment. And it’s up to you to decide what effect it will be:

• Whether it will boost productivity and raise your profits eventually

Or

• It will encourage conflicts, raise energy consumption and decrease motivation.

Choose wisely, as the proper furniture arrangement will help you make the best out of your business.