5 Tips for Setting Up Your New Office

Cotton Bro Studio/ Pexels

Moving into the new office is a bit like the first day of school. It's exciting, chaotic and filled with possibility. Whether you're upgrading to a larger space or you're starting fresh in your dream location, the way that you set up your office can have a huge impact on the way your team works and feels. 

With a little bit of planning and maybe some help from pros who know their way around office furniture, you can create a space that's both fun and functional. Here are 5 tips to help you to set up your new office without losing your call or your tape dispenser.

• Make a plan before you move in. It is always tempting to start moving desks and setting up monitors the second you get the keys to your office, but you need to take a moment to plan. Think about your team's workflow and the collaboration needs of each of the departments and the daily habits of the individuals who work there. Grab your masking tape and start sketching out basic layouts on the floor before the heavy lifting starts. This will save you a lot of back and forth later on.
• Prioritise ergonomics. You want your team to love working in the new office, not walk away each day with a sore back. Investing in ergonomic chairs, desks at the right height and monitor stands that don't require neck acrobatics can help! Comfort equals productivity and fewer complaints to the HR department. Don't forget about the lighting in your planning either. Natural light is ideal, but task lighting can work wonders in keeping energy levels up and eye strain. 
• Make space for collaboration. Open plan offices are great for teamwork until someone's trying to concentrate while their neighbor is in deep with a loud brainstorming session. The trick is to find a balance with your new office. Designate zones for quiet time and focused work, but create inviting areas where people can collaborate, chat or take a break. You could also add in some bonus points for yourself for bean bags, whiteboards, or a funky lounge corner. Your office doesn't have to look like a spaceship, but it should make people feel good to be there.
• Don't skip out on storage. You may not have wall to wall filing cabinets like they did back in the day, but that doesn't mean you should skip out on that. Even the most digital of teams need somewhere to stash files, supplies, and the occasional snack stash. Make sure that your office has enough storage, whether it's filing cabinets, shelving units, or storage integrated desks. Organised spaces means less time spent hunting for that one charger and more time getting things done.
• Add personality and pizzazz. Offices don't have to be all grey walls and sterile lighting. A little personality goes a long way, so make sure that you hang some art, add plants, real ones if you dare, or bring in pops of colour through rugs and accessories. You should also get everybody to decorate their own desks just for fun. ​