10 Frequent Office Space Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Not every office designer gets it right. If you want to create a beautiful and functional workplace, here are the office space design mistakes to avoid and how. 

So, you’re thinking about redesigning your office space and want to know which mistakes to avoid. You’ve been in your current setup for a few years now and it’s time to freshen things up, but you want to make sure you don’t make any bad choices when doing so.    

Or maybe you just got a new office, and you’re looking for office space design tips on how to create the best working environment for you and your team. Regardless, there are a few basic dos and don’ts you need to know to achieve the look and feel that you’re going for. 

So what are the things you need to avoid when planning your new look for your office? And what can you do to make sure you have a warm and productive space that you, your team, and your customers will enjoy? 

If you’re asking yourself these kinds of questions, wonder no longer, because we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll tell you about 10 common office space design mistakes that people make, as well as how to avoid them! 

Now then, let’s get started!  

1. Bad Lighting 

You don’t have to know a lot about office design to know that lighting is extremely important. Because let’s face it: no one wants to work in a dark and gloomy office all day, every day. 

If you can, try to get some natural light in your office via windows and glass doors. And if that’s not possible, make up for it with plenty of bright, fluorescent lights scattered throughout the office. 

2. No Reception Area 

If you’re constantly having guests visit your office, it’s important to make a good first impression. And the best way to do that is to have a solid reception area set up for them to be greeted with. 

Even if you lack the space, simply making your entryway and the entry area warm and inviting can do a lot to make your office feel more welcoming. 

3. A Sad Breakroom 

It’s safe to say that your employees desire a space that they can enjoy during breaks, away from the chaos that’s everyday work life. If your breakroom isn’t up to par, or nonexistent, you’re not giving them the space that they both want and deserve. 

So spend some time on your breakroom, and above all else, make sure it stays fun and work-free. 

4. Zero Non-Work Spaces 

To piggyback off of the breakroom idea, it’s important to have a few spaces where employees can get away from work for a bit. Outdoor spaces, in particular, are great for taking a second to refresh themselves before going back to work. 

If you can, try to set up some picnic tables behind your building. That way, your staff can get some fresh air on their breaks, so they can come back ready to work when it’s over. 

5. No Private Work Stations 

The shared workspace trend has picked up steam lately, and for good reason. Having everyone together under one roof is a great way to build chemistry within your team and get things done quicker. 

But if you don’t have any private work stations available for when people need to get away, you can really set your staff up for failure. So try to have at least one office or an area where people can go and work in private on certain tasks. 

6. Lack of Storage Space 

If there’s one thing you probably don’t realize you need until it’s too late, it’s storage space. Because once you acquire too much stuff, then and only then do you realize you’ve run out of space to put it all. 

A simple solution? Get a storage pod and have it placed behind your building. They’re safe, weather-proof, and a cheap way to add more space that you can use to store stuff you don’t need every day. 

7. Too Much Clutter 

Again, it’s almost impossible to have a well-designed office space if you have too much stuff in the office itself. And too much clutter has even been linked to mental health issues, which of course, isn’t something you want to subject your staff to. 

So remove all of the clutter in your office and keep your space minimal by only having what you need to get the job done. 

8. Bulky Furniture 

You can overcrowd a space fast if you decide to go with a bunch of bulky furniture pieces throughout your office. So whether it’s desks, couches, or meeting room tables, keep things simple and sleek and save space in the process. 

9. Bad Color Schemes 

Next to bad lighting, poor color choices can really change the overall mood of a space. That’s why it’s wise to do some research on color schemes, and what moods they’re linked to. Pick something that’ll help you create a warm and positive working environment. 

10. Blank Walls 

Let’s be honest: no one wants to look at blank walls all day. 

So regardless of what color walls you choose to have, the last thing you should do is leave them blank and bare. Pick a few motivational artwork pieces, or just things that are nice to look at, and cover your walls with them. 

10 Common Office Space Design Mistakes 

Well, there you have it! Those are 10 common office space design mistakes that you should avoid when designing your own work environment. 

Remember, above all else, keep things simple. Avoid too much clutter or large furniture pieces, and only keep the things you need in order to get the job done. 

Go fun or warm color-wise, and try to get as much natural light as you can so the environment is a good place to get work done. If you can, try to create a few spaces for employees to go that aren’t work-related, so they can get a break throughout the day too. 

Looking for more business tips and tricks? Check out our blog!