Employees spend a big chunk of their time in the office. And whether you own it or rent it, you would want the maximum return on your investment. That is why improving the work environment and boosting employee productivity is a must.
But if you have a small or hybrid office, space management can be a hassle. Moreover, cluttered spaces do not really make for a comfortable and healthy work environment. World Green Building Council reported that 69% of companies with healthy building features saw an improvement in employee satisfaction and engagement.
But if you think space management is going to be a costly affair, you are wrong. With a few minor adjustments, you can ensure optimal and effective space management in your facility.
Ten Simple Ways to Facilitate Space Management
No matter the size of your office, effective space management is crucial for a healthy work environment. And you can achieve that in just a few easy ways. Here is how.
- Create a Budget for Space Management
Are you fascinated with the idea of installing treadmill desks? Well, sounds amazing. But can you afford it? Before you go all in and change every corner of your office, decide on a space management budget.
Understand the requirements of your employees and the company to determine the cost of making these changes. Remember to prioritize functionality over looks for optimal space management. This means that even if you can afford those treadmill desks, ask yourself if they will be space-efficient.
- Remove Bulky Furniture
The number one enemy of effective space management is bulky furniture. Look around your office and see which furniture pieces are taking up the most space. Poorly made and heavy furniture can be uncomfortable and cause health problems like back pain, eye strain, migraines, etc.
It is smart to invest in ergonomic pieces that take up less space. They also offer more support and promote the health of your employees.
- Dedicate Space for Documents and Records
If your work involves storing physical documents, they can quickly pile up. As a result, you can end up with multiple file cabinets taking up unnecessary space.
If this is the case, you can consider dedicating a sizeable room to store them. This not only facilitates effective space management but will also help you maintain these documents carefully. But if your office cannot accommodate a separate room, rent a storage unit to store the records.
- Use Software For Room And Desk Booking
Space management can be particularly tricky if you have a shift-based or hybrid workforce. Maintaining schedules and keeping track of available desks and rooms can confuse both employees and the management. To avoid this, you can invest in room and desk booking software.
It will help employees book desks and meeting rooms in advance and avoid crowding the office. You will also get real-time data on available spaces and maintain an occupancy report.
- Leverage Stack Planning Tools
Stack planning is an excellent technique to ensure optimum space management, configure department and floor plans, reorganize seating arrangements, etc. With a stack planning tool, you can get a holistic view of all teams and departments in the building. You can use it to view the current layout of your office and evaluate the areas that you can improve.
- Design a Space to Accommodate Flexible Working
Not all your employees will be working from the office at the same time. Therefore, you do not need to assign a desk to each of them. For effective space management, you can determine if your onsite employees are willing to share desks. If yes, you can implement a desk hoteling system to manage your space in a more structured way.
- Pay Attention to Light and Ventilation
Good lighting is a smart hack to ensure effective space management. How? This is because well-lit office rooms give the illusion of a bigger space.
A study from Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois reports that natural light has a healthy impact on the productivity and mood of employees. If you have a small space that is not well ventilated, it can cause unpleasant odours. In contrast, having a lot of windows and proper ventilation will promote a healthy work environment.
- Have Minimal Decor
When it comes to office space management, less is always more. Having multiple colours and bold patterns in your office can make it appear smaller. It is also distracting.
Instead, you can opt for a neutral look with minimal elements. You can add plants, inspirational quotes, etc., but don’t overdo the decor.
- Have a Visitor Management Process
While you can account for the number of employees who will occupy the office, you might have visitors who come unannounced. Accommodating them, especially in a small office, can be difficult. This can be a setback to all your space management initiatives.
To eliminate this issue, you can use a visitor management system. It enables you to pre-book visitors, maintain a record, and be prepared to welcome them. As a bonus, it also ensures the safety of your employees and visitors.
- Consider Future Growth
Will your company expand operations? Where will you add new desks if you hire new employees? How will this affect meeting rooms and common spaces? These are some questions that you must consider before making any changes to your office space.
Work on space management with the future in mind to avoid having to reorganize at a later stage. While you must redecorate your office occasionally, doing it too often will only add up the bills.
To Sum Up
Effective space management is crucial for businesses regardless of their size and nature. And the best way to do this is by striking a balance between your company’s requirements and budget.
From hybrid workplace to parking management, you can easily optimize your office space with WorkInSync space management solution. Visit the website to schedule a demo and optimize your office space today.
