Having worked in office design and work space consultancy for many years, we know that there’s an almost never ending list of the different ways that our clients view their office space. But really, all of these different ways of thinking, and all these different approaches, can fall into
one of two categories.

1. The most obvious, and the most common, way of approaching office space is to look at what you’re working with. This means considering how the space is laid out, and any design challenges. Teams then often look at how they can adapt their methods to work optimally and efficiently in the space they have.
2. The second approach is to avoid asking ‘how can we adapt to fit our environment?’ and instead start asking ‘how can we adapt our environment to work for us?’. In doing so, teams can ensure they’re able to carry out the tasks they need to in spite of any design challenges that may be present in the space.

At Novex Solutions, we’re firm believers in the second approach. We believe that your office space should work for you, not the other way around. Here are 5 ways to make your space work for you:

1. Identify Your Needs

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to designing an office; there’s no industry standard. That’s why, before diving in, it’s important to take a moment to think about your own business needs, and consider what sort of features are important to support you as you work to complete your tasks. Of course, this is often easier said than done, especially when you’re looking at the environment as an insider. That’s why we always advise working with consultants who come in with new eyes and fresh perspectives.

2. Work in Colour

If you want your office space to bring direct value to how you work, colour is definitely one of the most important aspects to consider. Contrary to popular belief, colour isn’t just about making areas look nice… there’s actually a huge amount of research into ‘colour psychology’ and how different shades can impact our behaviours.

To make your space work for you, think about your core business. Purple is said to be good for creative types, blue works to instil trust, and green is associated with stability and positivity.

3. Be Flexible

One of the things we see happen very often is that businesses have extremely solid ideas of what they want… but they’re focusing on the now and limiting themselves in the future. UK business are growing at a rapid rate, and we always try to help our clients see the importance of future proofing. In designing a fixed, rigid office space that works for you now, you may be creating an environment that won’t work for you 6 months down the line. For your office work for you, there needs to be flexibility in the design.

4. Blur the Boundaries

You know what they say about all work and no play! The idea of the 9-5 is well and truly dead(sorry Dolly). It’s no longer about slogging away at desks all day, and there’s been a lot of research in recent years that looks at just how important it is to create a healthier work/life balance. So to keep your employees motivated and happy at work, think about blurring the boundaries between work spaces and break spaces, combining the two into one integrated environment to meet a broader selection of needs.

5. Make it Your Own

An office that ‘works for you’ doesn’t just mean an office that meets the needs of your employees. It also means that it meets the needs of the business, too. An office that truly works for you is one that incorporates your brand’s missions, values, and messages; one that supports what you do and acts as an additional form of branding that engages with your clients as they step through the door. There are many ways to add elements of your own style into your office design, and we’re here to help you find them.

At Novex Solutions, we’re experts in all aspects of strategic business design. Get in touch and have a chat with one of our workspace consultants to find out more about how you can make your office space work for you.

Call 0845 458 8008, or email us at enquiries@novexsolutions.co.uk