If you are starting your own business, it’s crucial to set up a functional and stylish office. But with so many design options out there, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on the best ways for a new entrepreneur to set up their office space. We’ll cover everything from choosing furniture and decorating walls all the way down to what type of lighting works best in different areas of the room.
1. Begin by choosing a layout
The most crucial aspect of any office is the layout. The space must be functional and conducive to productivity. While there are endless possibilities, two layouts work particularly well for an entrepreneur who works out of their home: open and closed office spaces.
Open office space layouts are best suited for entrepreneurs who work well with distractions around them. With an open floor plan, you’ll be surrounded by other team members and potential clients, allowing accessible communication and brainstorming opportunities.
A closed office space layout is ideal if you prefer to avoid distractions while working or need to hold private discussions behind closed doors. Closed offices typically have part of their walls covered in glass so that the division is not too stark.
2. Determine your primary office furniture needs
Once you’ve determined your preferred layout, it’s time to choose the furniture that will fill the room. First up is seating: While most people think they should go for ergonomic chairs, they are actually better suited for use at a traditional desk in a closed office space. For an open floor plan layout, you’ll want to go with a more comfortable seating option, such as a lounge chair or bean bag chair.
If your business has multiple team members, it may be beneficial to get separate desks for each person so that they can work without distractions from nearby coworkers. When utilizing this type of layout, try to place the desks back-to-back so that every team member has their own side of the room and privacy while working on projects.
3. Decorate strategically
Office decor is another important consideration when setting up a shop. First things first: choose an accent wall and paint it a color that matches your brand identity, whether fun and funky or professional and polished. If your business is in a creative industry, go with a bright and bold accent wall to match your workspace’s energy. For traditional businesses, a sophisticated neutral tone will do the trick.
You can use barnwood shiplap on the walls of your startup office. It’s a trendy wall design because it’s both rustic and modern. You can also use the shiplap to cover an entire wall if you want to.
4. Determine your lighting needs
The next step is to plan out how you will utilize different areas of the room. Determining the best office lighting depends on whether you need task, ambient, or accent lighting.
Task lighting is typically centered around your desk or workstation. It comes in the form of a desk lamp (ideally with adjustable arms to allow for different angles) or overhead lights. For smaller spaces, go with bright LED lights; use halogen light bulbs for bigger offices.
Ambient lighting is when you set out lamps throughout your office space to give it softer illumination. This type of light works well in areas where people may sit down to do some reading, such as an armchair by the window. Accent lights can draw attention to specific pieces of furniture or office decor. It’s important that these don’t create excessive heat, so they’re best used sparingly.
5. Add an element of nature
Incorporating a plant or two into your office space is a great way to add some natural beauty and cleanliness to your startup company’s design. If you don’t want the hassle of taking care of a live plant yourself, opt for faux plants instead—most office supply stores sell a wide range of styles and sizes. Bear in mind that not all plants are created equal: tall plants with big leaves tend to thrive when placed near an open window because their leaves will soak up the sunlight filtering in from outside; low-light houseplants do well near shaded windows where sunlight doesn’t reach as easily. If you have the option, you should always place your plants in the corners of your office. This gives them more natural light and allows them to thrive.
6. Add storage space
Suppose you’re running a small business out of your home. In that case, it may be necessary to add additional storage space elsewhere so that clothes aren’t strewn about the house, or other activities aren’t disturbed by work materials. You can create extra storage space cheaply with items like command strips, which are strong enough to hold up even the heaviest boxes and easy to remove when you don’t need them anymore.
Your startup office’s design is critical; it sets the tone for your entire company. With these tips, you can create an environment that works for both you and your employees by encouraging productivity and creativity.
