The Importance of Thinking About Office Layout

Office layout is something that most people do not think about, taking for granted the way the desks in their office are arranged and perhaps occasionally moaning that a colleague is closer to the kettle than they are! However, the layout of an office, including where the desks are placed but also wider issues such as open-plan sections and break-out areas, can have a profound influence both on staff morale and on how clients, customers and visitors view the business.

There are many different styles of office layout, and each one will give employees, clients and visitors a different impression of a business, so it is important that small businesses think carefully about how they arrange their offices. The office layout can foster a culture of individualism, or promote co-operation and teamwork; can enhance the idea of hierarchy within the staff or put everyone on an equal footing; can increase productivity and creativity or stifle employees; so it is important to consider all aspects carefully.