by Lina Martinez

March 20th, 2019

Image Credit: Unsplash

Setting up an office-based business is about more than a computer, a few paperclips and a filing cabinet. If you want to succeed, you need to make sure that you and your employees have everything you need as well as an environment you all find comfortable and enjoyable.

With the right office, you can show your employees they and their comfort are important to you. Though you might be a startup, giving your employees a sense of security is essential and the right office can make all the difference. There are a ton of options available and if you don’t initially see what you like you can consider looking at different furniture.

When you are setting up your first business office, you must think about your top priorities but they might not be quite what you expected. The first priority is to ensure that your staff are able to their jobs comfortably and with the right equipment. The second priority is to ensure that your office is suited to different activities. The third priority is to design a creative space where everyone feels comfortable and encouraged.

Here’s what you should do.

Start With the Essentials

While you are setting up your business, it is wise to avoid designating seats unless you have to. As a startup, you have the freedom to do your own thing and hot desking is a great way to add variety to your day. Having a large table you can all work around is a nice way to bring the team together when there are only a few of you. Just make sure that you are getting the right pieces in your office so that everyone is comfortable. At the end of the day if you are on a tight budget, there is nothing wrong with looking into used office furniture as long as it’s still in good condition. Nobody will ever know and it saves you a pretty penny!

Giving your employees the right equipment to do their jobs is another obvious thing to point out but you would be surprised just how many startups expect employees to bring their own laptops and supplies! If you want your employees to be able to work well, you need to give them everything they need to do so whether that means a basic laptop or an awesome laminating machine from FilmSource.

Another essential is the lighting you use in your office. While bright main lights are suitable for most things, it’s nice to softer lighting too. Fairy and festoon lighting is a brilliant option as it gives your office a bit more of a festive vibe and instant decoration. Similarly, desk lamps will give your employees more control over the way their work is lit.

One last essential is the kitchen area. Even the most basic office should have a kettle, a sink and at least a mini fridge for packed lunches and milk. But, if you really want to make everyone happy, there are a few other office kitchen essentials you should consider. A coffee machine will always go down a treat but if you really want to spread the joy, bringing a few flavored syrups and different types of coffee will really jazz things up.

Designate Different Zones

Even in a tiny startup office, you should consider having a couple of different zones to aid work and relaxation as well as creativity. Think about it this way: if you did everything in bed, you’d get pretty bored of your surroundings and you’d probably not sleep as well either. By creating different spaces for different activities, you and your staff will find that your creativity is much improved.

Though most offices are heavily reliant on desks and office chairs, adding a sofa to the room is a great idea. This more comfortable space is ideal for having lunch and chilling out as well as holding less formal meetings and collaborations. Having a comfy spot to do some research or even have a nap is a good way to relax during the working day.

While you are thinking about how you are going to design your office, you should consider the culture you want to build. Though some industries come with preconceptions, the real test of your business is how you challenge those ideas and create something that works for you. And, if you aren’t sure what that is, your staff should be involved in the decision-making process. Ask them what will make a difference!

Be Creative

Whether you are running a serious business or a fun business, your office should have some creative elements. Even something as simple as a notice board for inspirational ideas and pictures can make a difference but you might want to dream a little bigger.

Color is one of the main components of any interior design and there is nothing quite so dull as a plain cream box with desks in the middle. By adding some color, you will brighten the space up and reflect the character of your company a little better. If you can paint walls this is an easy way to inject instant color; otherwise, feature furniture, plants and pictures all work really well too.

There are all kinds of ways to add a little creative flair to an office and encourage more creative working but, again, you must always keep your office culture in mind. For all that slides and hammocks look like fun, this sort of thing only really works for large corporations - when there’s only a couple of you, you might feel much more self-conscious!

So, instead of creating a ‘creative space’ in the same terms as other businesses, you should think about what gets your creative juices flowing. It might be that all you need is a suitable space for some creative team building. Or perhaps your team would benefit from something as simple as a ping pong table. Don’t shy away from the things that get your creativity flowing - your team is unique and your office should be too.

Setting up your first office is an opportunity to decide on several key aspects of your business. Your office and the way you work are intrinsically linked so if you want something more than a bland grey space filled with desks, now is the moment to decide what that space looks like. Don’t be afraid to experiment and get things wrong. Like all aspects of your business, trial and error will always lead to good things in the end.