Office managers and operations professionals are often tasked with tackling office design projects—whether that’s freshening up the decor in the reception area or managing an entire redesign project. Even choosing small design elements can feel like a big project, especially when you are balancing it with your day-to-day responsibilities of running the office. At Managed by Q we’ve helped hundreds of offices plan and complete office redesign projects and put together this post to help you effectively approach office design projects big and small.
Set goals for what you want your space to achieve
Start with understanding with what about your current space isn’t working. Survey your colleagues and find out what is preventing them from doing their work most effectively. Do you need more spaces for phone calls and private conversations? More places for collaborative work? A more on-brand space to show off to prospective employees and clients? Once you’ve defined what you want your space to achieve it will be easier to decide what design direction to take.
Set goals for what you want your space to achieve
Start with understanding with what about your current space isn’t working. Survey your colleagues and find out what is preventing them from doing their work most effectively. Do you need more spaces for phone calls and private conversations? More places for collaborative work? A more on-brand space to show off to prospective employees and clients? Once you’ve defined what you want your space to achieve it will be easier to decide what design direction to take.
Set a budget
Work with your finance department to set a budget for your design project. Make sure you consider larger, more inflexible costs such as construction and any permits you need as well as paint, furniture, and decor items.
Create a plan
Ask your landlord for blueprints for your office space so you can create a layout that includes measurements for all walls, ceilings, doors, and door swings so that you can create an accurate plan. If you are undertaking a major redesign working with an interior designer can help simplify the planning process and ensure the you can realize your goals for your space efficiently. They can also help source furniture and fixtures that match your office aesthetic at a good value.
Work with your finance department to set a budget for your design project. Make sure you consider larger, more inflexible costs such as construction and any permits you need as well as paint, furniture, and decor items.
Create a plan
Ask your landlord for blueprints for your office space so you can create a layout that includes measurements for all walls, ceilings, doors, and door swings so that you can create an accurate plan. If you are undertaking a major redesign working with an interior designer can help simplify the planning process and ensure the you can realize your goals for your space efficiently. They can also help source furniture and fixtures that match your office aesthetic at a good value.
Decide on an aesthetic
Once you have a plan for your space, you can decide on the overall look and feel, including decor elements, finishes, and fixtures. Create a moodboard to bring together both aspirational and practical visions for your space and settle on an overall look and feel. You can also visit, or collect photos of, workspaces that inspire you to help settle on an overall vision for your own.
Creatively repurpose what you have
Just because you are re-doing your space doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything. Identify furniture and decor items that you can repurpose or refinish for a different look and feel. You could repaint your cabinets or shelves to bring in bright, fresh color. You could also reupholster your worn out couch and get new cushions for a refreshed look.
Once you have a plan for your space, you can decide on the overall look and feel, including decor elements, finishes, and fixtures. Create a moodboard to bring together both aspirational and practical visions for your space and settle on an overall look and feel. You can also visit, or collect photos of, workspaces that inspire you to help settle on an overall vision for your own.
Creatively repurpose what you have
Just because you are re-doing your space doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything. Identify furniture and decor items that you can repurpose or refinish for a different look and feel. You could repaint your cabinets or shelves to bring in bright, fresh color. You could also reupholster your worn out couch and get new cushions for a refreshed look.
Enliven your space
Small details can make a difference in the look and feel of a space. Think about how you can add aesthetic elements that are on-brand and help create an inviting and cohesive office environment, such as:
- Create an accent wall with a bright paint color or fun wallpaper
- Place plants around the space for a pop of color and natural greenery
- Supply employees with matching desk organizers and accessories in on-brand colors and ensure all personal items fit in these organizers
- Purchase furniture that can multi-task, such as storage cubes or benches that can also be used for seating
- Add desk or floor lamps to conference rooms and your reception area to create a warmer, homier feel
Small details can make a difference in the look and feel of a space. Think about how you can add aesthetic elements that are on-brand and help create an inviting and cohesive office environment, such as:
- Create an accent wall with a bright paint color or fun wallpaper
- Place plants around the space for a pop of color and natural greenery
- Supply employees with matching desk organizers and accessories in on-brand colors and ensure all personal items fit in these organizers
- Purchase furniture that can multi-task, such as storage cubes or benches that can also be used for seating
- Add desk or floor lamps to conference rooms and your reception area to create a warmer, homier feel
For guidance on managing a redesign and more budget-friendly design ideas, download Managed by Q’s free guide Designing an Office Space Your Team Will Love. The guide includes:
- Tips for creating a seating chart
- Design pieces worth investing in
- The right order to install new furniture, fixtures, and art
- How to find affordable art
- How to choose the right plants for your space
Office operations teams will learn how to add details that will enliven their space and manage office design projects, including planning, budgeting, and goal setting. Get your free guide and start creating a great space for your team
- Tips for creating a seating chart
- Design pieces worth investing in
- The right order to install new furniture, fixtures, and art
- How to find affordable art
- How to choose the right plants for your space
Office operations teams will learn how to add details that will enliven their space and manage office design projects, including planning, budgeting, and goal setting. Get your free guide and start creating a great space for your team
Eleanor Whitney is the Managing Editor at Managed by Q. She is a writer, musician, and community manager based in Brooklyn, New York. In 2013 Microcosm Publishing released her first book, Grow, a field guide for creatives to build satisfying companies and careers. She is currently working on her second book, a feminist memoir, to be published in 2018.
Managed by Q is the platform for office management. Q makes it easy to run an office by connecting companies to services, including cleaning, maintenance, office administration, IT, and security. A solution for recurring and ad-hoc office needs, Q saves companies valuable time and supports office operations for thousands of businesses nationwide.
RSS Feed
