How To Downsize Your Commercial Office Space
Many companies are currently in the process of downsizing their office space, either to reduce costs or accommodate a smaller workforce. Although approximately 27% of employees were working remotely from home in 2019, the impact of COVID-19 has seen that figure double.
A high number of employees want the home-working trend to continue, and many employers are also keen to offer home or hybrid working as part of newer and more flexible approaches to work. According to the Office of National Statistics, a large number of working age people expect to work from home at least some of the time going forwards, which is a significant change from the entirely office based norm of only a few years ago.
Because of the uplift in flexible and home working, it has been estimated that around 35% of businesses in the UK plan to downsize their office space.
Remote, Hybrid & Agile Working
If your business wants to adopt a hybrid system combining office attendance and remote work, then you may find that you no longer require as much office space as was needed in the past. Many organisations are now taking the opportunity to downsize their office space in order to reduce overheads and improve efficiency.
Similarly, an increasing number of organisations are adopting an agile way of working. This enables employees to work primarily from home, or remotely. However, agile working enables businesses to maintain a central location as a venue to meet clients and suppliers, and as a space for staff to collaborate creatively with colleagues and socialise.
In hybrid and agile office environments, hotdesking is common as not every employee needs to be in the office at the same time, which enables organisations to scale back the amount of desk space they require.
If you are planning to scale back office space for your business, there are a number of ways to ensure your downsizing project is successful.
Relocating Your Office
Downsizing is being planned by some of the largest companies in industries such as finance and IT. Their expansive office spaces are likely to be remodelled and sublet as much smaller units. It's an opportunity for your business to acquire a coveted address that was once unattainable.
An alternative location might even offer more convenient access to public transport and amenities. However, it's how your office fitout takes shape that could be the key to tempting essential new recruits or making your remote workers think of returning.
Relocating to a smaller office also means you may have a wider range of options when it comes to where your space is sited. Whether you want to move closer to a city centre, and the smaller space requirement makes this more affordable, or wish to relocate to a more rural location for increased access to nature for staff wellbeing, you’ll likely find that there are plenty of options available that previously would not have met your criteria for cost and size.
Customised Office Refurbishment
Many business owners have realised they can save vast sums in overheads by downsizing. Moving to smaller premises also helps save resources for an updated office refurbishment complete with brand-new office furniture. Downsizing is an ideal opportunity to re-evaluate your requirements for staff members and workplace equipment. You don't even have to choose a costly, full-scale office re-fit.
A traditional office refurbishment usually consists of installing stud walls composed of timber frames and plasterboard. The frames are generally nailed to the floor and walls. They are labour-intensive, expensive and permanently fixed.
However, a flexible alternative could be versatile office partitions. They quickly create a customised layout that should enhance your company's image.
Partitioning systems are an efficient solution for businesses adopting hybrid and agile working, enabling meeting pods to be created along with hot desking areas, collaborative spaces and social areas.
What are Office Partitions?
Office partitions are the ultimate in flexible, customisable office solutions. They consist of lightweight panels that can be mixed and matched to suit any office layout. Partitions are quick and easy to install, ensuring your new office space is ready for use in the shortest possible time frame.
Demountable office partitions offer even greater versatility for the future. The configuration of the panels can easily be realigned to suit any new requirements your office may need as your business grows.
They are available in a choice of finishes and form dividers that provide privacy for small rooms created within your office space. Another stylish option is glass office partitioning. It allows plenty of daylight to enter throughout your new office space, and is perfect for everything from meeting rooms to reception areas.
You can still achieve a high degree of privacy as the panels can be customised with etched sections that create a hazy surface that won't block out the light. You can even have your business logo etched on the glass. Additional features include Venetian blinds that you can adjust to improve privacy when necessary. When opened, they allow your office space to achieve a seamless, open-plan effect.
New Options for Office Storage
Some business owners could be alarmed that downsizing means a lack of storage space. However, a contemporary office re-fit usually features streamlined office storage that helps create a chic, uncluttered image.
Modular, floor to ceiling cabinets are often customised to suit the storage demands of your business. You can choose the number of shelves, types of doors and security factors such as traditional locks or digital keypads. If you eventually need a future office refurbishment or even a temporary layout, a modular storage system can easily be moved and rearranged.
Options such as mobile shelving are also a great way to achieve high storage density in a relatively small space. So if you’re planning to scale back your office space but are worried that you may not have enough storage available, you can rest assured there are some fantastic solutions available to meet your storage needs.
Ecological Heating for Your Office
With today's spiralling energy costs, it can often make economic sense to downsize. Your office heating bills should be less expensive, particularly if the office fitout incorporates an ecological heat pump.
Once installed, a heat pump uses very little electricity to operate. It works through simply using a heat exchanger to convert incoming cold air to warm your office space. In the summer, the system reverses to move warm interior air to the outside. A heat pump increases the quality of air, providing even the smallest office with a pleasant, fresh atmosphere that should keep your employees alert and energised. In addition, your business can save on its fuel bills.
Energy-Efficient Office Lighting
Your current premises might still be illuminated by fluorescent tube lighting fitted into a suspended ceiling. A main problem with fluorescent tubes is the quality of light gradually decreases over time. If a tube ever breaks, it can release hazardous chemicals such as mercury over the desks and office equipment, endangering the health and safety of anyone in the vicinity.
When downsizing, your office refit offers the chance to install energy-efficient LED lighting. There are many advantages in choosing Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs. On average, an LED bulb lasts for 50,000 hours, almost twice as long as a standard fluorescent tube.
LED lighting uses around half the amount of electricity compared to fluorescent tube lighting. It also adds glare-free illumination to your office space. When combined with glass office partitions, your new premises should benefit from increased amounts of natural daylight, helping reduce your overheads even further.
Stylish Office Furniture
Downsizing means you'll likely need fewer pieces of office furniture, as you may be adopting a desk sharing or hot seeking strategy with different employees in the office on different days. When choosing a complete office refurbishment for your new premises, add the finishing touch with the latest ergonomically designed office furniture including desks and chairs.
Minimalist styles are currently popular and would complement a new office re-fit that includes streamlined, modular storage units. Ergonomic office chairs should help your remaining employees enjoy much greater comfort when sitting for most of the day. Lumbar support, adjustable seat heights and arm rests are just a few of the benefits. Correctly angled seating helps improve blood circulation. Your employees should look forward to less strained posture, helping improve comfort and productivity.
With the money you might save through downsizing, you can treat staff to stylish and comfortable new furniture that makes the office an attractive place to spend time in, which can be a great way to help encourage employee motivation, productivity and retention.
Benefits of Office Downsizing
Downsizing is quickly becoming a popular trend for office based employers. For many businesses it can be a welcome relief from increasing overheads, for others it makes sense to move to accommodate a smaller workforce. Downsizing gives you the chance to commission an office refurbishment that helps update your new premises and the image of your business. By choosing versatile office partitions instead of a traditional office fitout, your workspace can adapt to any unforeseen changes that may occur in the future.
There are many economic advantages in downsizing. Your office could benefit from the latest energy-saving features such as a heat pump and LED lighting. As the recent pandemic has proven, the future can be very unpredictable, but downsizing should be viewed as a positive step. By choosing an office refurbishment with versatile office partitions, ecological equipment and user-friendly office furniture. It could help your business save money and might even encourage remote workers to return.
A Complete Solution For Your Office Refurbishment Project
At Avanta we have over two decades of experience in helping businesses to create innovative, efficient and inspiring workspaces. We offer comprehensive office refurbishment including everything you need to fit out your space to meet the individual needs of your organisation
From the latest partitioning systems to a full range of workplace furniture and storage, we offer a complete turnkey solution for businesses of all sizes. If you’re planning to downsize or refurbish your office space, contact Avanta to discuss how we can help you.