Most small businesses start off with limited office space, so it’s important to make the most of what you have. Rather than spending a fortune renting a bigger office, when things may still be tight, here are some ways in which you can use your existing space wisely and create a professional environment.
Go paperless
One of the things that’ll soon make a small space feel cluttered is too much paperwork. Big filing cabinets and desks stacked with papers will make the place feel smaller than it really is. Luckily, nowadays it’s easier to go paperless than ever before, with lots of software you can use to make the transition easier. You can start off by:
- Scanning important documents and shredding the originals
- Using online services for digital signatures
- Using collaborative software for projects
- Making notes on your computer and making the most out of your calendar’s functions
Find furniture that suits the space
A lot of office furniture tends to be big and bulky, and items like corner desks and ergonomic chairs can take up precious space. Don’t buy office furniture until you’ve measured your office and draw up a plan to ensure things fit in there properly. Pick items that are slimline yet practical, so that they don’t dominate the space and make it feel smaller.
Put rarely used items into storage
From document originals to Christmas decorations, many offices are full of things that aren’t used very often yet take up a lot of space. It may be a good idea to look for storage units in St. Petersburg Florida so that anything that’s cluttering up the office can be kept safely and securely, and you don’t need to trip over the boxes every day.
Let people work remotely
If the office is getting crowded, but you aren’t quite ready to move to a bigger space, consider letting people work remotely more often. If you then put a hotdesking system in place, people can move between desks, and it’s a good way to discourage people from leaving clutter laying around.
Let some natural light in
Offices that have big windows should make the most of them, opening up the blinds and letting natural light in. Not only can natural light make a space feel much larger than it really is, natural light is good for employees, meaning they suffer fewer headaches and less eye strain, so it’s good for morale.
Limit personal items
While it’s nice to have photos of the kids and their drawings on display, too many items dotted around will make a small office feel smaller. Limit how many personal items people can have on their desk and try to have a clean desk policy, so that by the end of the day, the place is clear and ready to clean.
A small office doesn’t have to feel cramped and claustrophobic. By keeping things minimalistic and allowing hot-desking, your business can stay put while it grows.
