5 Common Mistakes Companies Make When Designing Their Offices
Planning
for the correct amount of storage
Understand what you are storing, why you
are storing it and make sure it’s not just a catch all place for all the
indecisions your staff make. Storage is too often used to conceal clutter.
Effective storage creates efficiencies while creating an environment that is
both esthetically appealing and practical. Different storage solutions can provide time
saving functionality that boosts productivity and frees up space for other
office uses.
Getting
employee input
The right office design will help make your business
run better.
Involve employees in deciding how the space will look
and feel. Employees often have insights into what an operation needs and may
have that wasn’t obvious before but may prove valuable. Their involvement in
decision-making gives them a voice in something meaningful which increases
engagement and improves performance.
Talk to your employees and ask how the old space has
worked. Which features have been good or bad, and why do they feel that way?
Don’t assume the old layout is necessarily the best to help drive business.
Also consider letting employees name common areas such as conference rooms.
That way, they can put their stamp on the space.
If you have the time and resources, consider setting
up some common work areas, each decorated in one of the color schemes most
popular among employees. They can then try the different settings to see how
they feel about them.
Besides giving employees a voice in the new office’s
aesthetics, encourage them to discuss practicalities, too. Ask for a wish list
of items for the new space, such as a coffee bar or certain type of storage,
which could help make work a better place to be.
Plan
for growth
It’s hard
to know the future. Often, we are planning to grow, but just how much, how many
more staff and what’s the time frame.
When you’re designing your office with growth in
mind, it’s important to look at ways in which space can be reconfigured to
accommodate differing team sizes.
It’s crucial to incorporate adaptable, flexible spaces into your present
office design. These spaces can be used for ad-hoc meetings or general
relaxation areas for existing staff but can also be re purposed as more formal
workspace when necessary or for events and presentations.
Think carefully about your office furniture too. Once you have
invested all your money in your latest technology or spent a fortune on the
best talent, it might be tempting to skimp on the furniture budget.
Not
enough open and/or private spaces
One of the most significant decisions in developing a company’s culture
relates to the division of office space. Open space, division into offices,
team-based division, mixed offices, a small or a big kitchen – each one of
these decisions will affect the way the company functions.
In theory, an open space office sounds like a great idea – an open
atmosphere, accessibility for everyone and, of course, an optimal utilization
of space. Most open spaces are usually quite noisy and are not that conducive
to actual discussions. Many people are easily distracted by every phone
call, joke or noise around them.
Acoustics
New open concept designs are often filled with hard
surfaces like polished concrete, open ceilings and lots of glass, that give a
wonderful open feeling to spaces. But there is downside – increased noise
levels.
When noise enters the workspace, creativity and
productivity go out the window. That’s why manufactures of office
furniture have thrown themselves into designing elements that limit and absorb
excessive noise, creating pleasant workspaces that improve performance. The trend for open-plan
designs, particularly in new workspaces, has put sound at the forefront of
design.
Another way of combating noise in new open-plan workspaces is by incorporating dividing elements which provide privacy and encourage concentration. There are different wall panels which offer solutions that provide contemporary designs with the possibility of personalization, as well as improving acoustics. From acoustical wall treatments to innovative furniture options there are many innovative solutions to improving the sound levels in any office environment.
D.J. McGauley & Associates Inc. is your Office Space Planning, Renovations and Relocation Project Management Company of Choice for the Toronto, GTA and surrounding areas. If a renovation or relocation of your 2,000 – 25,000 sq.ft. office space is in your plans, contact us to arrange a no-obligation site meeting. We guarantee that by the end of that meeting, you will know all that would be required to make your office renovation/relocation project a successful reality.
Call 416-239-1931, email info@djmcgauleyandassociates.com or visit our website for more information and to complete our contact form.
Click here to see our New and Used Furniture Thanksgiving Specials for October.
Space Planning & Design in Toronto
At D. J. McGauley and Associates we maximize a company’s space while controlling costs with an eye toward minimizing disruption to regular business operations. We work with clients to bring together design, affordability and strong project management. Our work isn’t complete with the design process. Our project management team can manage your construction project from start to finish and ensure that your furniture fits your requirements. From initial consultation, to design and execution, our office space planning services will create your ideal work environment. Contact us and we’ll give you your space.
Call us today at 416-239-1931 and let us help you turn your ideas into reality.
Click here to see our New and Used Furniture Specials for September.
D.J. McGauley is a dedicated team of professionals providing Design and Space Planning, Renovation, Relocation and Facilities Management services to our clients. Based in Toronto, we provide the same excellent professional and personalized service, whether office relocation is down the street or across the GTA. We work with both small and mid-sized companies to save time and money, as well as enjoy a stress-free corporate transition or corporate renovations experience.
Commercial Office Renovations
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Our project management team handles all the details from design to permitting, tendering and construction management. Whether your doing a small reno or a full build out, our experienced team will work with you, building management and trades to ensure your ideas come to reality on time and on budget. We take care of the details while allowing you to focus on your business.
Call 416-239-1931, Email or visit our website and let us help you turn your ideas into reality.
Click here to see our New and Used Furniture Specials for August.
D.J. McGauley is a dedicated team of professionals providing Design and Space Planning, Renovation, Relocation and Facilities Management services to our clients. Based in Toronto, we provide the same excellent professional and personalized service, whether office relocation is down the street or across the GTA. We work with both small and mid-sized companies to save time and money, as well as enjoy a stress-free corporate transition or corporate renovations experience.
Facilities Management
Facilities Management
Let us sweat the small stuff!
D.J. McGauley will keep your offices in tip top shape. Whether you need small repairs, paint, furniture modifications or just need to install a wall mounted TV, give us a call.
Call us when you need to relocate and let our experienced team take care of your move while you take care of your business.
Call 416-239-1931, Email or visit our website for more information.
Click here to see our New and Used Furniture Specials for July.
D.J. McGauley is a dedicated team of professionals providing Design and Space Planning, Renovation, Relocation and Facilities Management services to our clients. Based in Toronto, we provide the same excellent professional and personalized service, whether office relocation is down the street or across the GTA. We work with both small and mid-sized companies to save time and money, as well as enjoy a stress-free corporate transition or corporate renovations experience.
Ready to move but don’t want the hassle?
Corporate Relocation / Moving Services
Our relocation management team can plan and supervise your relocation from beginning to end. We will coordinate with property management, manage the move team and even provide a moving seminar to your staff to help make your move run smoothly and stress free.
Call us when you need to relocate and let our experienced team take care of your move while you take care of your business.
Call 416-239-1931, Email or visit our website for more information.
Let us help you design your perfect office environment. Whether you are looking to optimize your current location or are moving to a new one, we can help bring your ideas to reality.
Our team has over 25 years’ experience in office design. We consider your current and future needs and develop a plan with a strong focus on your budget and timelines. Whether you operate in an open, collaborative environment or require private offices, we incorporate your business style into our design to make your concepts come to life.
Get started on your ideal office environment.
Click here to see our New and Used Furniture Specials for June.
D.J. McGauley is a dedicated team of professionals providing Design and Space Planning, Renovation, Relocation and Facilities Management services to our clients. Based in Toronto, we provide the same excellent professional and personalized service, whether office relocation is down the street or across the GTA. We work with both small and mid-sized companies to save time and money, as well as enjoy a stress-free corporate transition or corporate renovations experience.
Call 416-239-1931, Email or visit our website for more information.
“McGauley’s were fantastic, right from the first phone call: always responsive, great problem-solvers, kept us fully informed of all the options at each stage and calm in the face of every crisis.
Looking to refresh? Do you need new office furniture to update your company offices and renew your business style?
D.J. McGauley and Associates often receives exclusive offers for new office furniture from our many trusted manufacturers and distributors. And we pass on these savings directly to our valued clients.
And if we don’t have exactly what you’re looking for, let us know. We won’t stop searching until we find the style of furniture you need, at the price you want.
Click here to see our New and Used Furniture Specials for April.
D.J. McGauley is a dedicated team of professionals providing Design and Space Planning, Renovation, Relocation and Facilities Management services to our clients. Based in Toronto, we provide the same excellent professional and personalized service, whether office relocation is down the street or across the GTA. We work with both small and mid-sized companies to save time and money, as well as enjoy a stress-free corporate transition or corporate renovations experience.
Call 416-239-1931, Email or visit our website for more information.
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“McGauley’s were fantastic, right from the first phone call: always responsive, great problem-solvers, kept us fully informed of all the options at each stage and calm in the face of every crisis.
