Office Spaces: Making The Most Out Of A Small Workspace

By
Ashley Ross
·
March 18, 2019

It can be hard to imagine an office when you walk into a small space. It can be especially hard to imagine fitting a cohort of employees in a small space, too.

Startup office design is important, whether you’re working with a lot or a little real estate. Gone are the fluorescent lights and boring cubicles of old-school workplaces and in are the cool kitchens, lounge areas, and open office desks that help small startups get their jobs done and feel on brand while doing it.

But when you’ve got little space to work with, how can you achieve this? Jourdan Fairchild, of Spruce Creative Studio, explains how to design an inspiring space, no matter how much space you have.

Understand Your Needs

“You'd be surprised at what you can make work if you're smart about your set-up and your storage. It's all about understanding exactly what you need to work well and how to best maximize your square footage—both on and off the ground,” Jourdan says.

Be Flexible

You’re going to have to make sacrifices if you want to maximize space, but that can sometimes be a good thing. “Functionality is your top priority. You lose space to play around with big desks, chairs for guests, large storage systems, and miscellaneous decorations. But sometimes those elements can be more of a distraction,” Jourdan says.

Find the Right Products

With real estate prices skyrocketing in hot startup cities (and beyond), companies have made changes to the varieties of what they offer. Quality brands are no longer synonymous with furniture for big spaces.

“The world of good-looking office products for small spaces has vastly improved over the past few years. Between what's available at Ikea, CB2, Target and other big box stores, small space offices can be as just as chic—as long as you control the clutter and you're choosy about what you need in the first place.”

Think Beyond the Desk

Desks are going to need to fit the basics and the basics only. Think: computer, notebook, and mug coffee or water. Everything else can go on a shelf above.

“Lighting, mirrors, and plants are elements that create an illusion that a space can hold more than you'd first realize when it's bare,” Jourdan says. “Color adds depth to the walls, the right lighting sets the mood and can make the space feel like its own little room, mirrors create the illusion that a space is bigger than it is and plants bring the outdoors in. Shelves make use of vertical space, and rugs also carve out rooms within rooms.”

Need some interior decoration work done for your office space? Check out Eden’s list of vetted contractors for help!

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