Office space planning isn’t just adding cubicles and rolling chairs — it’s about crafting a welcoming, productive space for employees. What looks nice isn’t always practical, and what’s practical isn’t always comfortable. Designing your workspace with both comfort and functionality in mind will optimize your company’s efficiency and morale. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Top Office Space Planning Ideas

1. Pick the Right Furniture

Uncomfortable and non-ergonomic office furniture — hard chairs, low desks, and static monitors, for example — can leave you sore and eager to get away from your desk. Over time, the minor aches and pains these pieces cause can lead to significant problems in your overall health. Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, stem from the repeated aggravation of an area over time. Muscles, limbs, tendons, and spinal discs wear down with repeated use, which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and sciatica, to name a few. Though these conditions take time to develop, you can stave them off by choosing the right furniture. Chairs should be ergonomic, with adjustable seats, backrests, armrests, and lumbar support. Outfit your desk with a keyboard tray, an ergonomic keyboard, and wrist rests to reduce unnecessary pressure. 

2. Keep Functionality in Mind

Poor placement can bog down workflow. If you use your printer often, there’s no reason to have it across the room or in a closet. If your team participates in frequent brainstorm meetings, give them a private place to strategize. In the planning phase, consider the circulation and traffic patterns of your office; allow for open walkways, design secluded huddle spaces, and keep close the things you use the most.

3. Personalization

Finding pleasure in a drab workspace is difficult. Your office is like a home away from home, so add personal touches to make it welcoming, comfortable, and visually appealing. Do away with fluorescent lighting, add pops of the company colors to equipment and upholstery, and consider a custom interior paint job. In your personal space, bring in pieces of home: pictures of loved ones, decorations, and even plants.

Need help with office space planning? The expert design consultants at Interior Landscapes in Kansas City, MO, have been creating beautiful, optimized workspaces for over 15 years. They specialize in transforming work environments into welcoming areas that increase productivity and keep comfort in mind. See some of their latest projects on Facebook or visit their website to learn more about their services. You can also give them a call at (314) 755-2220 with any questions.