An office is a place to accomplish work and tasks by interacting with others. Having distinct work areas gives people the opportunity to find the best environment suited for them at specific moments.
The types of spaces needed to offer refreshing changes are centered around categories that are transferable from one industry to another:
- An entrance or reception area
- Individual places to focus (a workstation or desk)
- Gathering spaces for highly structured meetings and informal meetings
- Breakrooms
How those specific areas are planned, designed, and furnished depends on your company’s specific needs.
Look into the variety of office environments on the 2010 Office Inspirations page to browse space utilization, furnishings, and color schemes.
Let’s look at some different types so you can see what to adapt.
A Fast-Paced Entrepreneurial Office
Some office environments are fast-paced like public relations firms in Orange County working on deadlines or production studios in Burbank churning out the next show for Netflix, Amazon, or the networks.
Close collaboration is needed when ideas are tossed around like confetti at the Rose Parade.
A few workstations clustered together may work best in this environment. Accessories like whiteboards and bookcases can define boundaries around the space, especially in an open floor plan.
Working intensely hour after hour throughout the day can become counterproductive.
Provide an area to relax in and step away by using the best modular lounge furniture. The different distinct office spaces can be right next to each other but the way they’re arranged changes an employee’s expectations and mindset.
THE WORK SETTING
The workstations may be a simple open-plan benching solution like the ODS Artiv Open Plan Benching with privacy screens. It’s easy to have rapid-fire chatter and discussions happening while developing marketing campaigns or scripts.
Photo: DeskMakers Hover Height Adjustable Table
Or someone may want to stand and use a height-adjustable desk while a colleague may prefer sitting.
Photo: DeskMakers Narrative Meeting Table
Look into the compact DeskMakers Narrative Meeting Table which is great for charting ideas.
Where do you go when ideas don’t flow and more personal time is necessary?
THE LOUNGE SETTING
Create a lounge space where people can literally take off their shoes and put their feet up.
Photo: Encore Seating Clipse Lounge
Consider the Encore Clipse Lounge Seating arrangement with a timeless look.
You can provide different spaces that are adjacent by easily shifting focus from group interactions to an individualized focus.
An Established Professional Firm
The appearance and functionality of a legal firm, educational institution, or engineering company working on a contract in Southern California should convey trust and high degrees of expertise.
The atmosphere may not have a frenetic pace like a startup but the need for utilizing different spaces still exists, especially if clients stop in for meetings.
THE WORK SETTING
Look into the Private Executive Office for both individual focus and a small team meeting space.
Stylish cubicles can offer the privacy needed for going over documents with clients or partners.
Photo: HON Accelerate Workstation
Photo: Friant System 2Â WorkstationÂ
The HON Accelerate Workstation or the Friant System 2 Workstation are easily installed and can be configured to accommodate an individual or a few people.
Use architectural walls from Trendway for conference rooms so the space feels inviting and not closed off.
Choose conference tables that elicit discussion and allow attendees to remain focused.
THE LOUNGE SETTING
What’s the best plan for a lounge area in a more subdued office setting?
The Enwork Adventure Table fits well into the design of an office with a Modern Industrial theme. This could enhance the office look and functionality where it’s located in a place like the Arts District near downtown Los Angeles.
Use the Cherryman Emerald Conference table for a classic appearance.
How about lounges?
Photo: Krug Leyton Lounge Seating
The Krug Leyton Lounge Seating offers high-class comfort. Arrange the seating with indoor office plants and floor lamps for a sense of privacy without feeling closed in.
A lounge can also be a library with an assortment of hard copy publications, a flat screen monitor, and compact tables to enjoy discussions with coffee or over lunch.
Make It Work For You
The best design for your office setting is the type where employees can interact with each other while having a place for uninterrupted work time when needed.
Plenty of options exist to equip your space that supports your brand and your company’s goals. The team at 2010 Office Furniture is available to help you plan it well.
Rely on Expertise for Designing Distinct Office Spaces
Contact the team at 2010 Office Furniture for planning your space and equipping corporate offices and remote work locations like home offices.
Get input based on more than a half-century of combined experience working with clients who are among Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses.
Read Also: Office Design Layout Best Practices
Main Photo: Global Princeton Workstation
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: DeskMaker, Encore Seating, Friant, Global, HON and Krug