Changing business needs make it challenging to control space and utilise it effectively; the corporate environment is forever changing and as part of the digitally connected world we now find ourselves in, it can be difficult to keep up and make use of our existing space in a way that benefits the efficiency of day-to-day business operations.

You might find that you’re in need of more space several times throughout the year with a continuously growing team or a demand for a restructure to accommodate the latest products and machinery, but whatever your needs, Cubex Contracts are on hand to provide an end-to-end solution for all of your commercial workspace needs.

Here are our tips on how you can create more space within your existing office premises, avoiding the need to relocate (…just think of the money you’ll save!).

Assess your needs
Let’s start by taking a long look at your workspace overall and assess what works and what doesn’t – what would you like to change, have more of, or get rid of?  And this doesn’t need to be a one sided task – take a quick snapshot and ask your colleagues what they think (it’s important to remember that in order to implement the very best changes that work for everyone, and benefit the business overall, it’s worthwhile checking in with the people that support your business to ensure they have the tools they need to get the job done).

Our surroundings can affect productivity so take this into account when assessing your office space needs and, if you’re not sure where to even begin, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the workspace cluttered and dark?
• Are desks and storage spaces cramped?
• What does the space feel like in terms of its atmosphere?
• What do we need that we do not currently have access to?

Consider noise control and sound privacy
There are many ways in which you can divide a space for privacy, meetings, hot desking, communal areas… pretty much anything and everything!  And by doing this you can create additional spaces that work – including ‘neighbourhoods’ for specific focus groups.

If noise control is a concern, have a think about installing sound absorbing panels (these work particularly well within open plan offices).  They can decrease echo and create a calmer atmosphere (especially in larger spaces where noise can travel), ultimately allowing for a better workplace experience.

Solve visual and personal security concerns
With collaboration being a key element of the future of office design, we need to ask, ‘‘how open is too open?’’ The traditional and ‘‘ideal’’ office space may be a large, open plan area, but this doesn’t work for every business all of the time, so where do we draw the line?

Sometimes employees need to work independently, have private 1:1 conversations or work with sensitive company information where visual security can soon become an issue.  Thankfully however there are alternatives and Cubex has a few solutions for you to try:

• Use stylish and colourful partitions to implement additional spaces for independent working, privacy and creativity.
  Partitions can also help with noise reduction and productivity as teams operate from a multi-functional workspace.
• Consider the office layout and plan for specific areas which will see less foot traffic; this can be a dedicated area for taking a call or for having some downtime over a lunchbreak.
• Throughout the office, look at furniture positioning and re-orient as necessary to optimise both space and privacy; believe it or not, but just by moving an existing space around can resolve a number of workplace woes including security concerns (so you don’t have to spend money unnecessarily… result!)
• Strategically position plants, soft furnishings and even hanging partitions – creating a multi-functional workspace that also looks good will ensure your office space is somewhere that your colleagues want to spend time in.

Plan for seamless, agile, connectivity and collaboration
In office design, there will always be a need for a culture of collaboration. This means incorporating designs that can support and transform your business to increase productivity, innovation and performance. To help in shaping this type of workplace, think about using tables and desks that facilitate innovation and connection.  But how?  Great question!  Think about decluttering as much as possible and get rid of anything that’s not required… if you don’t need something, why keep it? Simple enough, right?

It can be a challenge to find the delicate balance between privacy and team working, but agile spaces can help you with this especially if square footage is at a premium. Think about introducing moveable partitions and furniture on castors – you’ll have an adaptable, agile office space in no time!

Consider storage requirements
Invest in furniture with built-in space to help with storage; even though we now live in a paperless office environment (or at least we try to), we still need storage space.  So office furniture with built in storage facilities can help to utilise even more of our workspace.

Luckily, wi-fi means less wires and so too do laptops and tablets – what would have been used for bulkier computers can now be used as additional space as and when you need it most.

Warehouse and industrial space
If re-designing a warehouse or a large industrial space, then Cubex recommends evaluating the use of all of the space, not just a particular area or two.

As a suggestion, think vertically – adding mezzanine flooring can help to create more space within your existing warehouse for storage, breakout rooms, offices, meeting rooms, kitchen space, manufacturing zones… the list goes on!

When it comes to creating additional space within your office premises, even if you don’t have a lot of physical space to play around with, it is possible to create a workspace that works for you, your employees and your business.  What’s more, space planning within your existing space can be a positive alternative to the expense and disruption of relocating altogether.  So if you’re considering how to re-work your space for 2021 and beyond, we have loads of experience and advice to offer. You know where we are so just reach out. Email us on sales@cubexcontracts.com or call 01933 460422.