With the business world moving at break-neck speed, organisations are having to shift their strategies to include a more granular and wholistic focus. Competition is high and every detail matters. When it comes to maximising efficiency, enhancing productivity and promoting collaboration in the workplace — there’s no greater solution than office planning.
If your filing cabinet could talk, what would it say about your organisational skills?
Why Effective Office Planning Matters
In the UK, most full-time employees work around 253 out of the 365 days of the year. Regardless of whether that’s in-office or remote working, we’d say that’s a decent chunk of time, enough to warrant considerable attention being paid to your office floor plan.
Why You Should Have Done It Yesterday
We’ve all heard about a well-oiled machine running best, what about a meticulously organised, colour-coded, alphabetised filing cabinet placed in exactly right location so that its temperature remains perfect regardless of the weather?
Enhancing Efficiency & Productivity
A well organised office layout can have dramatic effects on your team’s workflow. By reducing unnecessary movement and making it easier for employees to access the resources they need, we can guarantee that outputs will be more than ideal.
Strategic Distraction
A thoughtful office design will also reduce distractions. This is where your knowledge of individual team members will come in handy. If Stephen is easily distracted, don’t put him next to the printer that everyone uses just about every five minutes. Chatty Cathy on the other hand, needs the distraction of the noise to focus.
Effective Collaboration
Nowadays, most offices have adopted an open-plan office style with separate designated meeting areas. This type of layout is fantastic for fostering collaboration which in turn contributes to better morale amongst the troops!
Where To Start With Office Planning
Assess Your Needs
Start by evaluating the specific needs of your business and employees. Think about things like team structure and space requirements. How do your teams interact with one another, do certain departments interact more frequently. Are there individuals that need more quiet space than other?
In addition to the norm, make sure that you think about any special requirements that you team may have such as:
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Technology and equipment needs.
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Power outlets for devices.
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Storage needs (documents, files etc.)
Choose the Right Layout
Before fully committing to the design, test it on paper or using a virtual system. Mock layouts in a simple sketch format, this will help you brainstorm any obvious challenges that different layouts will introduce.
The next step in this process will be feedback. No one likes a critic, but when it comes to change, feedback is essential. Talk to your teams about the potential new layout and confirm whether it’s as brilliant as it sounds in your head.
Prioritise Flexibility
The only certainty in this entire process is change. Being flexible and ready to adapt if problems arise or the needs of the business change, will be your biggest strength if you can get it right.
To keep your plan acrobat-level flexible, why not create multi-purpose areas that incorporate multifunctional furniture pieces. Make your office space adaptable to any scenario.
Incorporate Storage Solutions
Failing to find that crucial document that would have pulled that deal across the line is nothing short of heartbreaking. It’s the simple changes — like integrated storage solutions — that take a business from good to great.
Built-In Storage Solutions
Incorporate built-in storage units into walls or under windows to maximise space and keep clutter hidden.
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Wall Cabinets: Install custom cabinets or shelves into walls to store office supplies, equipment, or documents without taking up floor space.
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Under-Window Storage: Create low storage units beneath windows for extra storage without sacrificing natural light or blocking the view.
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Storage Walls: Dedicate an entire wall to built-in storage for keeping essential items out of sight but easily accessible.
Multifunctional Furniture 7 Modular Storage
Every business arguably values an employee that bring more than one skill to the table. Why not approach your business storage solutions with the same attitude? Multifunctional furniture and modular storage solutions can serve multiple purposes simultaneously and allow for regular layout reconfiguration if needed.
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Reconfigurable Cubes: These allow you to mix and match components like bins, shelves and drawers based on what you’re storing.
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Storage Desks: It might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many offices overlook the usefulness of a desk with a drawer.
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Mobile Storage Units: Rather than buying a stationary stationery cabinet (see what we did there), invest in one with wheels!
Vertical Storage
Once you get started with your office reorganisation, the only way to go is up. Vertical storage solutions make keep floor and desk space clear (bar the odd coffee cup and jacket of Jammy Dodgers).
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Tall Shelving Units: Install tall, narrow shelving units that go up to the ceiling to maximise vertical space while keeping floors open.
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Pegboards: Mount pegboards on walls to organise office supplies like tools, notebooks, and gadgets in a customisable and easy-to-access way.
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Floating Shelves: Use floating shelves to display reference materials, awards, or decorative items without sacrificing valuable desk or floor space.
Custom Filing and Document Storage
If you’re the type of company that still makes use of physical records, we’ll bet that you’re sitting on some important documents. Make sure you store your documents effectively with these solutions.
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Filing Cabinets with a Twist: Incorporate filing cabinets that blend with the office design. Opt for sleek, modern designs that complement the workspace while providing ample document storage.
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Compact Filing Solutions: If space is tight, use compact, vertical filing systems or wall-mounted file organisers to reduce the footprint while keeping documents easily accessible.
Tech-Savy Storage
No office in the 21st Century, on-site, home-based or otherwise, is complete without adequate technology storage. Part of staying ahead of the curve means investing in reliable tech that will allow your team to perform at the level you need them to.
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Charging Stations: Set up charging stations with built-in storage for laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices. These can be located in common areas or meeting rooms.
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Cable Management Solutions: Use cable management trays, boxes or vertical cable organisers to reduce cord clutter on desks or floors.
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Media Storage: Incorporate media storage for shared tech items like projectors, microphones or presentation tools, keeping them organised and ready for use.
Storage King: Making Sure Your Team Stays One Step Ahead
In today’s fast-paced business world, staying organised isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore — it’s an essential. With smart office planning and storage solutions, you can create a workspace that fosters productivity, collaboration and flexibility. Whether it’s integrating multifunctional furniture or going vertical with your storage, every inch of space counts.
If you find that these tips and tricks just aren’t enough to give your business the space it needs to grow, why not consider partnering with a business storage and office space provider like Storage King. Maximise your space, keep that bottom-line healthier than ever and know that your documents, stock or tools and materials are under 24/7 surveillance.
Outsourcing your business storage not only alleviates space constraints but with multiple locations across the UK, lets you store stock or supplies near clients or remote teams.
And when your office still feels cramped, business storage solutions like those from Storage King are the perfect extension of your workspace. From document security to inventory management, Storage King provides the extra room you need, allowing your business to focus on what truly matters: growth and success.
