An office that is well equipped and well designed makes a big difference when it comes to employee wellbeing, team morale and productivity. Whether you are setting up an office from scratch or you are planning to make positive changes to an existing office, here are some of the things to include to improve the environment, and create a space where people can work efficiently as well as comfortably…
A Kitchen Area
Having a separate dedicated kitchen area is a great way to give staff a place to store and make their own food, take a much-needed break and keep eating away from the desks. Having a well-equipped kitchen with things like a fridge, microwave and coffee machine means that staff can stay on site during lunch too and enjoy taking a break with other colleagues.
Fresh Drinking Water
Water is vital to our health and being well hydrated is important for concentration and alertness, as well as for reducing fatigue. Having easy access to a water cooler that you can get from somewhere like this water coolers Wales based company //www.waterforyou.net is hugely beneficial for health and wellbeing.
Comfortable Furniture
In an office, the furniture is an important part of the workplace, because desks and chairs are used for most of the day. Making sure that furniture is suitable and comfortable is important as it helps to reduce back problems and poor posture, which have an impact on health over time.
Related: Three Reasons Why You Should Pay Attention to Office Hygiene
A practical checklist for the first day
If you are moving into an office for the first time, it helps to list everything people will need to start working on day one. Computers are the obvious starting point, but check the specification against the work each person does, as design or data-heavy roles need more power than general admin. Make sure there is enough equipment for everyone, along with reliable internet, printing and any software licences.
Desks should suit the room as well as the number of staff, so measure up before ordering and leave enough space to move around comfortably. Chairs are used all day, so it is worth buying good ones with adjustable height and proper lumbar support rather than the cheapest available. Then think about the smaller items that are easy to forget until someone needs them: stationery, filing, a first aid kit, cleaning supplies, and basics for the kitchen such as mugs, tea, coffee and milk.
Choosing furniture that fits the business
Good furniture does more than look smart. Comfortable, well-chosen desks and seating help people feel looked after, and that tends to show in morale and the quality of their work. The office itself also says something about the business to visitors and new recruits, so a coherent, tidy look can support your reputation without needing to be expensive.
Every office has different needs, so start with how the space is used rather than a catalogue. A large open-plan floor may need a substantial investment, while a small business may only need to replace a few worn pieces. Before buying, look at what you already have; sound desks and storage can often be reused or reconfigured, saving money and waste. A good office furniture supplier or consultant can help plan the layout, suggest what will be most useful for each role, and show how to adapt existing furniture to the way your team works now.
Desks, seating and storage for every room
The core furniture in an office comes down to three things: desks, chairs and storage. Desks need to be fit for purpose, so think about how the office is laid out and the kind of work your staff do before choosing them.
Chairs are needed in more places than you might think. Desk chairs must be designed for long periods of sitting, but you will also want seating in meeting rooms, in reception for visitors and in any staff room where people eat lunch, where a mix of chair types can work well.
Storage depends on the nature of the business. You may need somewhere for stationery and secure places for client files and other confidential records. It is also good to give staff somewhere to keep personal belongings, such as drawers under their desks or lockers. Planning these three areas together makes the office work better for everyone in it.