8 Ways To Make the Best of Small Office Fit Outs

Every business has to start somewhere, and for many, that means working in small offices that fit the budget. While small office spaces are widely used, if not designed properly, they might make employees feel uncomfortable to work in. 

Some places require staff to share desks and other workspaces with limited privacy. Small offices might mean no separate spaces for meetings or lunch, so employees rarely get to leave their desks. Working in such conditions can hinder motivation, productivity, and even hurt employee morale. 

Thankfully, there are ways to make small spaces work for your team and your bottom line. Professional small office fit-outs can revolutionise how your team functions, and keep things on track for true business growth.

This guide will help small office owners and managers make the best decisions for their space and give your team the workspace they need.

Storage

A prime small office design idea involves storage. It’s a critical aspect of any office space that can prove challenging because you need different types of storage options to accommodate everything from private documents to general office supplies to products you sell. 

Potential clients or investors walking in to see products stacked everywhere, documents scattered on desks, and overflowing filing cabinets may find the office unprofessional and overwhelming. Clutter can make office spaces look smaller and more disorganised than they are. Without sufficient storage units and a streamlined small office layout, you stand to lose a lot. 

Smart storage that clean up any small office layout can include: 

• Installing vertical storage units that take up limited floor space or hang on a wall to provide you with extra room.
• Re-arranging items in aesthetic storage boxes in line with the office theme which can create a cohesive appearance while bringing order to the space. 
• Using more versatile furniture, like partitions, desks, and tables, with built-in storage compartments.

To get the best result for your office, you might want to consider custom-built solutions that work for your space and your team’s needs.

Glass Office Partitions

Another notable challenge with a small office layout is creating separate workspaces for your team. Glass office partitions can solve this problem while providing a space with plenty of natural light and the feel and function of large open spaces. They are versatile features that can serve as room dividers, doors, and even office cubicles.

Choosing glass partitions for your small office fit-out can make your space appear larger and brighter. It’s also possible to customise your partitions with your company logo or attractive artwork to enhance the aesthetic appeal. 

Neutral Tones

Colour choice matters in office interior design and walls with dark colours can make a small office space seem even tighter. 

Even glass partitions and lots of natural light won’t be able to overcome some colour schemes. A bright mix of colours that match your brand personality might be appealing, but they can make a small area feel cramped. 

Choosing lighter, more neutral colours for paint might seem drab in theory, but a minimalistic approach is one of the most effective small office design ideas. It looks cleaner and more spacious, and you can choose colourful furniture pieces, upholstery or artwork to add vibrance instead. 

Suspended Ceilings 

One of the more unique small office fit-out ideas is a suspended ceiling. They can improve the overall appearance of any space through drop ceilings of tiles, insulation, and even lighting.

Stepping into a new office, you might notice the echo, exposed wires and ductwork, or complete lack of overhead lighting and want to walk away. However, a suspended ceiling can add aesthetic appeal by covering those wires and ducts, improving acoustics, and even providing more efficient artificial lighting sources.

It’s important to consult a professional about installing suspended ceilings in your small office as some office areas don’t benefit from the drop ceiling and may look smaller than they are. Addressing the issue before moving into the office can limit downtime, and a professional can advise you about how the ceiling height will impact your space. 

Split-Level Floors

Among the more dramatic and effective small office layout ideas involves creating additional floor space. If an office space has sufficient height, split-level floors can maximise space without breaking your budget.

Consider how useful it would be to install stairs with seating and another tier of workspaces. Your team can use the various tiers for different office functions, including social events, meetings, and brainstorming sessions. Creatively utilising space can make your office appear more attractive for stakeholders outside the office as well.

Multi-Purpose Rooms

Meeting rooms are key to any office design, but to be effective they need to serve more than one purpose. Not all small offices feature separate rooms to meet every need, so you might have to get creative with your layout. 

You can maximise your total office space by creating multi-purpose rooms. For example, some small office designs have a designated room to hold all video conferences, meetings, and trainings because those purposes typically require similar tools, like whiteboards and projectors. Likewise, a lunchroom can serve as a recreation and an event space, as well as provide additional storage.

Modern Office Furniture

Choosing the right furniture is key for a small office. Traditional pieces often appear oversized in a smaller office and ultimately shrink the space. Conversely, sleek, and modern furniture can create a minimalistic look that expands the office. 

Modern office furniture tends to be more multi-functional (e.g storage, charging ports, printer space etc.). Additionally, modern desks, tables, and chairs typically have ergonomic design elements that can increase productivity and improve employee well-being. 

Shared Spaces

Depending on your office size and the number of people you employ, it might not be possible to provide everyone with private workspaces. Adding new team members sometimes can not wait until you can upgrade to a larger space, and that means working on your office design.

Creating functional, shared workstations might be the best office design for your team. Shared workspaces involve more than one employee operating from the same desk. It’s the ideal option for team members that split time between remote and on-site work or for those working different shifts. 

If you’re considering a new office and need to consider shared workstations as a solution to make the space work, it’s a good idea to consult a professional fit-out service.

Find your Best Fit Out

A smaller office space might be the best option for your company at the moment, but it might leave you with concerns. From keeping your employees happy to maintaining a clean, professional work environment, a small space might feel challenging. However, as a smaller office space can save overhead costs, even larger businesses are downsizing on space in creative ways.

Following the above tips can make it possible to create a positive work environment for you and your employees so that your company can thrive. Contact a professional fit-out service to help put your office fit out plan in action.