The average size of an office can be a tricky formula to determine. The reason is that different industries may require different sizes. For instance, a busy corporate office with high traffic may range anywhere from 100 to 250 square feet per person to work effectively. In contrast, an educational institution may have multiple offices, some around 5 by 5 feet.
Learning how to optimize your meeting space based on your office size is arguably more beneficial. Odds are you are already aware of how big or small your office is. If you are looking to determine where you can improve your office layout and design to gain the most office productivity, you are in a great place. ABE office furniture technicians are well-equipped to meet your office space requirements with innovative and thoughtful furniture solutions.
Optimizing Meeting Spaces for Small Offices
For today’s exploration, it’s best to categorize the “average” office sizes by small, medium, and large offices. Again, the exact measurements of these spaces will vary, but you likely already know where your office falls within the three categories. When it comes to small office spaces, the number one thing we hear local businesses struggle with is ensuring enough space per employee to perform their tasks comfortably.
Small conference rooms, for instance, aren’t going to look like the typical conference room with a large, narrow table and chairs around it. With that design layout, there will barely be enough room for your team to collaborate and work. Instead, investing in smaller conference tables that are uniquely shaped (think L-shaped) can be more effective in making the room feel more breathable.
Additionally, cubicle systems are a fantastic way to balance privacy and collaboration in communal areas if your office utilizes an open concept floor plan. ABE offers a variety of cubicle designs that challenge the standard cubicle design you may be used to. Your team deserves a work environment that is flexible, inspiring, and functional. With expertise in designing various small offices from different industries, ABE can help your biggest office design dreams come to life.
Space Optimization for Mid-Sized Offices
This office size is arguably one of the most flexible regarding space optimization. Mid-size offices have an advantage, as they’re not too big, which can result in awkward gaps or your team feeling disconnected, nor too small, making your team feel claustrophobic. The available office space will depend on whether you are utilizing an open-concept floor plan, private offices, or meeting rooms. Either way, ABE has the portfolio to help ensure you fully optimize your space for productivity.
Mid-size offices can benefit significantly from modular workstations, which are customizable and versatile. These are great because they incorporate a diverse mix of office furniture, from desks, chairs, and storage, with flexibility to meet the unique needs of the person using it. It’s a bit more unique in the sense that it comes with interchangeable components that will highly affect the individuals’ experience using it. We find they work great in these types of offices, because they can offer flexibility and versatility. It’s also great for offices that plan for growth within the coming years.
Compact meeting pods are an innovative and excellent option for mid-size offices. These are great solutions for smaller meetings, as they operate like a huddle space to collaborate and discuss important matters with limited distractions. Additionally, these pods come with storage space that allows your team to easily store and manage any essential supplies or documents.
Large Office Space Optimization
When we think of large office spaces, we often think of greater flexibility because there’s so much space to work with. However, for some businesses, this extra space can actually be a hindrance for a few reasons. For one, depending on how big your team is, the large gaps in space can make them feel especially disconnected from one another, reducing opportunities for collaboration and authentic connection.
The second issue with large spaces is that they typically require investing in more furniture to fill the space, which costs more money and requires greater creativity. Normally, offices of this size have the budget to fill these spaces but are unsure of what solutions would benefit. If you have ever been to an office with awkward gaps and space, you know it feels sterile and uninspired.
So, we recommend leaning into futuristic designs and office furniture that utilizes innovative technology to create functional spaces for large offices. For instance, standing desks have become especially popular for home offices, but many offices with a larger budget are also benefiting from them! The standing desk offers greater control, flexibility, and creativity so your team can work optimally while supporting their overall health and wellness.
Additionally, building office furniture solutions around zoning areas, such as areas distinct from certain purposes (workstations, meeting rooms, etc.), is a successful way to fully optimize your space. Our team can build around these zones with a diverse mix of office furniture to help you meet your aesthetic and functional goals.
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