Posts Tagged ‘ideas’

Small Office Design Ideas

January 13th, 2012

You may think that small office design ideas are fewer than large office design ideas but there are just many. The ideas may be different but they are still plentiful. Small offices should focus more on functionality. If your space is small you need to maximize the use of the space you have. Maximize your floor space and storage space. Once your office space is functional, you can add personal touches that make it your own.

Small Office Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: Seth W.

Buying office furniture for a small office can be challenging. You need a desk that can hold all of your documents, files, materials and resources but you also need a desk that fits comfortably in your space. You need to find a desk that has lots of storage but is streamlined and not bulky. Choosing a desk that has a built in filing cabinet eliminates the need for a separate filing cabinet and thus saves floor space. If your space is really limited and you do not have clients in your office, opt for a corner desk. Not only do they take up less room, but they also come available with upper storage. If you entertain clients in your office and need to be able to face them, this design will not work for you.

Small Office Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: Steve Keys

When it comes to paint colours, choose light or neutral shades. Dark colours can make a small space look even smaller. Also choose a lighter shade carpet or wood stain for your office. The light floor colour creates the illusion of a larger floor area and therefore a larger room. If you do not have a lot of natural light in your office choose bright lighting spread evenly about the room. Brighter spaces look bigger. If you are blessed with tall ceilings, use a wallpaper border or crown moulding to accentuate the extra vertical space.

Once you have designed a functional work environment you can begin to add the personal touches. Hang your degrees or credentials on the walls in dark frames to contrast the neutral walls. Add photos of your family or yourself during pivotal moments in your life. If you want to keep your office space less personal, opt for brightly coloured prints on the walls. Choose a theme such as landscapes, abstracts or even black and white pictures. Long, thin pictures can create the illusion of high ceilings.

Small Office Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: geishaboy500

Small office design ideas can be challenging but there is a design that will work for your space. Research completed projects online and in magazines. Measure your space and shop around for office furniture that will both fit your space and address all your needs. Remember that functionality comes first. If you cannot work easily out of your office space you will not perform to the best of your abilities.

No comments »

Posted in Office Design Ideas, Small Office Design Ideas

Tags:

Office Interior Design Ideas

January 13th, 2012

The office interior design idea you choose will depend on the size and type of office you own. You could be designing your home office, a small business office or a large scale business office. While your home office is only one room and is usually for your own personal use, business offices consist of a reception area and one or more office spaces. They also welcome clients into their offices. Regardless of the type of office, you want it to be warm, inviting and comfortable to work in. Offices also need to be highly functional and organised.

Office Interior Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: needoptic

Home offices offer you the most flexibility in design since quite often you are then only person who uses the office. Since your desk is the most important item in your office spend time looking at several different styles of desks. If your home office is small, corner desks are an excellent solution to maximizing your space. If you have lots of files, choose a desk that offers considerable storage space. Many desk come equipped with a bottom drawer that doubles as a filing cabinet including a lock. This design is ideal if you do not have space in your office for a separate filing cabinet. Make sure your desk chair is comfortable. If more than one person uses the office space, choose a chair that is height adjustable. Wall colours are a personal choice for the office user. Built in shelving can free up floor space and also helps to store books and magazines and free up desk space. Be sure to have good lighting in your office to avoid eye strain.

Office Interior Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: juhansonin

A small business office can include a reception area and a one or a handful of offices. Since the reception area is the first impression your clients have of your business, it should be welcoming yet professional. Choose a reception desk that is large enough to be functional but not overpowering. Have a seating area with comfortable chairs and a coffee table. Place a variety of magazines on the coffee table that cover a wide range of interests. Include your own personal business flyers or advertisements. Plants create an aura of warmth and should be placed strategically near the sitting area but out of the way. Wall colours should be neutral but bright. Bright lighting is also recommended. The offices themselves should be similar in design and colour to create a uniform appearance. Stick to one colour and furniture design and allow employees to personalize their space with achievements or pictures.

Office Interior Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: Incase.

Larger businesses are similar to smaller businesses. You want to create a warm and welcoming reception area. Comfortable chairs, neutral wall colours, available reading material and potted plants all give this feeling. Since the number of daily visitors may be considerable, tile flooring is ideal. Add a colourful area rug in the sitting area. Offer a coffee machine or water cooler as an additional touch. Colourful pictures on the walls are another nice touch. Keep the hallways well lit and clear of clutter. Again, keep the individual offices uniform in colour and design but allowing small personal touches. Offices with windows opening onto the hallway are a good idea. Clients often feel more comfortable when they don’t feel like all business is conducted behind closed doors. Provide blinds for these windows to allow privacy when necessary.

Office Interior Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: Lars Plougmann

Business interior design ideas focus on functionality. Create a fully functional work space first and worry about style after. Keep offices clean and clutter free. Use filing systems and storage areas to maximize organisation and keep the space clutter free. Warm neutral tones work best and create a relaxing, professional atmosphere. Allow some personal comforts in your office space.

No comments »

Posted in Interior Office Design Ideas, Office Design Ideas

Tags:

Office Design Ideas

January 13th, 2012

Office design ideas focus primarily on creating a functional work space and then on creating a pleasant and comfortable environment. Office spaces need to promote maximum productivity. The whole purpose of an office is to utilize it to complete work related tasks. Create a space where completing these tasks is simple and comfortable. Design the majority of your office space around functionality and then add your own personal touches and style.

Office Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: geishaboy500

Since a functional office is your main goal, start with searching for a desk. Check out desk designs online or in the flyers of local stores that carry office furniture. Know the measurements of your office and keep them in mind when shopping for a desk. Purchase a desk that will fit easily in your space and still give you room for a desk chair and for walking around. Choose a desk that has enough storage space to be functional and to make working easier. Having to repeatedly get up to retrieve items while working can be frustrating and distracting. Having a desk with enough storage space to keep all of your necessary items will help you complete your task quicker. If an additional filing cabinet is needed keep it close to your work area. Filing cabinets today come in black and wood finish instead of just the flat metal finish. These finishes help the filing cabinet to blend into the room more.

While carpet is nice underfoot, it is not always practical in an office setting. Many desk chairs have wheels for ease of movement. They do not work well on carpet. If your office is a high traffic area, carpet mat also be difficult to keep looking clean and fresh. Hardwood is often a better choice of flooring for an office. Add an area rug for style, colour or warmth. Wall colour choices are limitless. If your office is small or if there is not a lot of lighting in your office, opt for a lighter or neutral wall colour. Larger, well lit offices can look rich and warm with deeply coloured walls. If your office space does not have a lot of natural light be sure to install adequate lighting to avoid eye strain.

Office Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: Jeremy Levine Design

When it comes to adding your personal style to your office, your choices will depend on your tastes. Pictures are the easiest way to personalize your office. Family photos add a personal touch to your office. Hang them on the walls or place a few on your desk. Frame your diplomas and degrees in rich looking frames and hang them where they can be seen. They will remind you of all the hard work and dedication it took to get where you are and will show clients the same. If you have neutral coloured walls, choose bright and colourful pictures such as landscapes or abstracts. If your wall colour is rich and deep, opt for black and white pictures as a contrast.

Office Design Ideas 1
Creative Commons License photo credit: gruntzooki

Office design ideas are personal since they need to be tailored to meet your specific needs. Create the most functional space possible and then personalize the space with pictures and plants. Keep the office functional to promote productivity. Keep clutter and distractions to a minimum.

No comments »

Posted in Office Design Ideas

Tags: