Noise and distractions are two of the biggest problems with an open office space. For some people, it can be difficult to concentrate and focus when you can hear people talking on the phone or having a conversation nearby. But productivity in an open office space is possible by making a few adjustments and investing in the right furniture or equipment.

We'll talk about how to make the best use of your open office space to increase productivity in this article. Contact us if you have further questions or when you need help in designing an open office space. We have a team of consultants that can help you make an informed decision on which furniture to buy for your office space.

Tips for Designing an Open Office Space

Want a more productive workspace? Check our helpful tips below:

Break Up Open Spaces

A noisy large open space can affect your employees' focus and productivity. But you can remedy this by investing in cubicles to keep noise and distractions to a minimum. Use plants, shelves and bookcases in breaking up wide open spaces. You can also purchase filing cabinets, lockers or furniture to incorporate a sense of privacy.

Invest in a Variety of Seating Options for Your Team Members

Flexibility can help employees get their creative juices flowing. To achieve this, consider providing your team with a variety of workspace and seating options. Invest in adjustable-height desks, stools, multi-person tables and other seating options in the open office environment.

Get Ample Lighting

As much as possible, make sure your open office has plenty of windows to let natural light in. You don't just save money on the electricity bills but natural lighting makes people more comfortable than having to work with rows of fluorescent lighting.

If having more windows isn't possible, consider incorporating new technologies that can mimic natural light. In the evening, consider having cool white lights as that's ideal for working and concentrating. Work with a professional if you're not certain what type of lighting to invest in your open office space.

Incorporate a Training Space in Your Open Office

Training new (and old) members of your team is essential to ensure they know what they are doing and are confident with their abilities to get the job done right the first time. As much as possible, create an exclusive space in your own office layout just for training. This should be away from the working area so that your employees can concentrate better.

You may also consider having a separate room for training and have the open office space strictly for working. In addition, consider having a collaboration area where each team can huddle before starting work. It will be beneficial for those working in the sales department as they need to discuss their forecast and goals for the day or the entire week.

Keep it Open Office Clean

It's crucial to keep your office environment clean to prevent the spread of diseases and illnesses that might lead to absences and tardiness. Tables, chairs, desks and other office equipment can hold more bacteria, so ensure that you schedule regular office cleaning. You want to make sure your employees don't get sick as that can affect the overall productivity.

Better yet, tell your team members to clean as they go. Ask them to wipe down their keyboards, drawer handles or chairs before they leave the office each day. Once a week, ensure that you disinfect the entire office to avoid catching any disease.

Eliminate Clutter

A dirty, disorganized and cluttered working environment can affect the productivity of your team members. You can eliminate clutter by going wireless, investing in an efficient storage solution, providing personal storage space for each team member, and minimizing items on their desks.

It's especially important to have a clean and clutter-free work environment especially when you're inviting clients over for a presentation or meeting. A disorganized space can send them the wrong message about how you treat your business. Keep the environment clean and free of clutter to maximize productivity and improve your company's reputation.

Have a Separate Space for Resolving Complaints and Other Office Issues

One of the issues that may come up with having an open space is not knowing how to voice out problems and concerns. It may be difficult to talk to HR or to the manager with a fully open space so it's best to have a separate space for this.

No one wants to talk about their problems with other people listening to them. While an open environment is helpful, it's important to have a private space for handling complaints.

Flexibility is the Key

As an office manager, your goal is not just to help grow the business but to retain the best employees. We recommend accommodating a variety of working conditions for your team members. Consider offering remote work arrangements — perhaps your team members can work from home a few days each month.

Trusting your team members is one way to retain the right people. You may offer remote work as an incentive to them or for a change of work environment. Most importantly, equipped all your employees with everything they need to stay productive.

Contact Workspace Resource Today

Knowing how to divide office space can provide more privacy to your employees and may help them become more productive. Our goal at Workspace Resource is to help businesses achieve an environment conducive to working productively. We can help you efficiently design your office spaces or recommend the right office furniture for your space. Talk to one of our design consultants to help determine your needs and our team will take care of the rest. Call us today for a consultation.

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