Description
Rational saving of space in small office interior design is a feasible task. It is difficult, but possible, to plan the organization of the office premises competently. To think over the rational use of each square meter in cramped spatial conditions, to design the interior attractively and stylishly, and to allocate a reception and rest area for visitors.
The main thing at the initial stage of a small office interior design project is to take into account the little things. Then later you will not have to spend extra money and precious time on renovation. Experienced designers of Wallpaper Kenya, who creatively solve such problems, will become assistants in this. We will certainly provide something out of the ordinary in the design project, not lagging behind fashion, without “overloading” the space with unnecessary details.
Let’s see how the preparation and development of this type of space is carried out.
Preparation of a small office interior design project
The first thing you need to do is to choose the right premises. The main task here is to correctly correlate the dimensions of the future office and its functions. You should not save too much on the area of the office, because if you plan to receive several clients at the same time, a room of 8 square meters will not work for these purposes. But if you need a small office design for 1 person, then such space will be quite enough.
Be sure to consider the functions your office will perform. What should be the atmosphere of the room? will your subordinates work individually or will they often have to discuss collective issues? Or maybe you will need to allocate space for a conference room, this is also important to consider in advance.
Now take measurements of the premises. At this stage, accuracy is extremely important and remember that the cadastral passport data may differ from reality. Do not trust the plan, measure everything yourself and check several times. It is also worth paying attention to the necessary communications, the location of sockets, lighting fixtures, network cables, etc.
Development of the layout of a small office space
It will be much more convenient for you to work if you plan the design and of functionality your premises after the renovation in detail in advance. Try to imagine the result as best as possible: describe all the details or make a rough sketch.
Please note the criteria for office space:
- It is important to create the most comfortable working environment. Your employees’ productivity will increase by at least 30% if you provide them with a comfortable workplace. Think about the arrangement of employees so that nothing extraneous distracts them from completing their assigned tasks. Take care of silence, if necessary.
- Put yourself in the place of your subordinate, and assume what this or that employee should have at hand. Try not to create unnecessary inconveniences. For example, if an employee often uses a photocopier, place his workstation closer to the copy machine, this will save the specialist’s time and increase his efficiency.
- Be sure to equip the room with air conditioning if you are in the Mombasa hot coastal climate in the summer. Try to ensure that the office always has the same conditions, as sudden temperature changes will impact productivity.
- Plan whether you need a kitchen in the office. It is not necessary to have a separate room. For example, if you are designing a small office for 4 people, it will be enough to fence off a small space and put a coffee machine.
- Please note that the office is a reflection of your company’s concept. Therefore, the interior should match or complement the corporate style of your business. If your motto is reliability and customer protection, this is also reflected in the design of a small office. There are simple techniques that should be followed: the brand color and the interior color should match, the décor should be selected in the style of the company, etc.
Prepare the sketch in advance
The next step is planning. If you prepare a sketch in advance, it will be much easier for you to work:
- The first thing to decide on in the design is the color and coating of the main surfaces: walls, floor, and ceiling. Be sure to use materials with increased wear resistance. Otherwise, your premises will quickly lose their proper appearance.
- Now you should move on to zoning, as well as choosing the necessary furniture. Consider the needs of both employees and visitors. Even the design of a small office for 2 people requires attention in this area. Place the customer reception area closer to the exit, and if you want to impress them more, order designer furniture.
- Pay more attention to drawing details, make sketches of the premises with a designer or on your own, or order a 3D model of the future office. Modern programs allow you to make a detailed visualization, and you will see all the pros and cons of the design project and will be able to make the necessary adjustments before starting work.
Please note! There are general rules in office interior design that should be taken into account.
The main rule is that the interior design of a small office should be light.
Stretch ceilings and more elegant furniture will also help to visually enlarge the space.
It is very important to think about lighting. This will not only expand the small space but also provide comfort to your employees.
Zoning a mini office: how to use a small space wisely
Small office interior design involves smart use of space. There are tricks to create something unique.
Clear zoning using mobile partitions or office furniture items:
The ideal office incorporates 8 zones;
work area – where the staff works;
collective zone – for interaction between employees;
coffee point – where employees relax, which creates a favorable atmosphere in the team;
waiting area – for visitors waiting for a meeting, with the obligatory presence of a wardrobe or hanger and the desirable presence of a TV and a coffee table with printed publications.
For a small office, an open plan without unnecessary partitions and walls is more suitable, eliminating the feeling of lack of space, campiness, and, according to psychologists, uniting the team into a team of allies. This form of visual zoning is suitable for frequent communication with clients.
Rational use of lighting and furniture in a small space
Lighting, preferably warm, is one of the main conditions for the health of the employees’ eyes and good productivity. Provide panoramic light distribution by panoramic glazing, a light interior, and a combination of different light sources (ceiling lights, spotlights, and LED lamps), which should belong to the same style and harmonize with interior items. Fire-safe LED lighting can be behind the cornice or located along the perimeter. Light tones of the walls and warm lighting can create the effect of a large, open space.
Furniture
For the interior of a small office, you should carefully select the furniture. Picking built-in cabinets is appropriate here. Corner or rectangular bench systems with compact partitions that combine several workstations behind one tabletop, folding tables, transformable furniture, stylish consoles, roll-out pedestals for storing writing utensils and documentation, all kinds of original stands and shelves – options for the design of small offices. Our designers will select suitable furniture, paying attention to the durability and reliability of hinges, hinges, and folding mechanisms. So that what is provided in the project can be immediately installed in the office spaces of employees.
Color Scheme – The Secret to Small Office Interior Design
Light shades (grey, blue) will visually expand the space. They do not tire, having a beneficial effect on human mental activity. You can use bright or dark accents, but it is better if this is in the decor or accessories. The use of specific materials, decorative stone, painted walls, etc. can become a feature in the decoration. Preferably in the theme of the company. And, of course, the design of a small office should be in the type of activity of the company and the brand book.
Style directions: creating coziness and comfort in a mini office
A well-designed small office creates coziness, increasing the comfort and efficiency of the staff. And you will be able to assess the company’s capabilities at first glance. You can do a small office interior design in one of the popular styles:
High-tech
High-tech implies relevance, functionality, technology, and convenience combined with experimental lighting. You can combine basic lighting with auxiliary lighting for a separate zone. In bare structures, lighting fixtures fixed on holders are very appropriate. Lots of metal, mirror surfaces, glass, and varnish will emphasize the company’s compliance with the spirit of the times. Such an interior is suitable for IT companies.
Minimalism
Minimalism is distinguished by its laconicism and highly functional furnishings, due to which the increase in clean space occurs. Refusal of excess decor and unnecessary details in the design of a small office. Only the most necessary. Unobtrusive light tones, imitation of daylight. It is better to refuse heavy classical options.
Techno-art
The techno-art style is appropriate for non-standard layouts. Do you like originality? Then bright, even acidic tones, metal, glass, and other original types of finishing are for you.
Modern small office interior design
The modern style expresses harmonious unity with the surrounding world. It is distinguished by rounded shapes and smooth lines. Many unobtrusive greenish, blue, grayish-pale, and gray color shades. Rounded chandeliers and partitions with greenery will be appropriate here.
Loft
When decorating a space in the loft style, you need to be careful, as it is not suitable for everyone. Concrete, brick, wood, and untreated metal have the right to exist if approached correctly. Otherwise, they will clutter up the space. The loft style, which is quite popular today, in combination with designer decorative items, and furniture, is good for decorating the interiors of creative and advertising teams.
The site contains examples of business and creative design of small office spaces in styles demonstrating competent organization of workspace.
Decorative elements in small office design
Glass boards
Pay special attention to this seemingly simple element. A glass board installed on the wall of your office will help solve two problems at once: it is a high-tech replacement for a regular board for important notes, but it looks much more impressive. The color of this irreplaceable decorative element can be selected to match the style of your design.
Wall clock
Unusual designer clocks will decorate any interior. They will fit especially effectively into the workspace. Do not neglect this type of decor, because there can be many options for its execution, from simple wooden to monumental clocks on the entire wall. The choice is yours.
Artificial plants
High-quality artificial plants will be very appropriate in the design of a small office space. They will add coziness and warmth to the interior while requiring virtually no special care.
Paintings and posters
Murals, pictures, and posters are still a popular decor for the interior of a small office. Photo design, execution, and color, as always, are at your discretion. It should also be noted that for a reasonable price, you can choose and print a suitable drawing from the catalog, or order your version. An excellent budget way to liven up the interior.
Final Tips for Small Office Design
Open-space planning will help you to design the space of a small office. This technique, so popular among designers in the West, has undeniable advantages over traditional office zoning, will add air to the room, and employees will feel like a single, close-knit team, which will have a positive effect on work.
It is also important to consider the following when creating a design project for a small office:
- The color scheme is preferably light – with its help you can expand the space as much as possible. But in the decorative elements you can use any colors, even dark and bright shades.
- The optimal lighting is LED lighting. It can be placed along the perimeter or behind the cornice, it will not hide the height of a small room, and will also provide a light-diffused light.
- Panoramic glazing is an important life hack for the design of a small office for two. In addition to saving on lighting fixtures, this solution will visually increase the space.
- In case of zoning the space, use movable partitions. With their help, you can separate the client reception area, the director’s office, or the place for negotiations.
Zoning can also be done with the help of furniture; this option is suitable for a very small office.