Small floorplan offices are becoming increasingly popular, and their design should maximise space and productivity – this is crucial to any business’s success.

As an alternative, opt for furniture pieces with multiple purposes like storage and seating – this way, you don’t take up valuable floor space with filing cabinets that you never end up using.

Maximise natural light.

Natural light has many advantages for offices. It can benefit staff members individually, but incorporating more natural lighting can make an office appear larger and reduce eyestrain from dim or harsh lighting sources. Integrating more natural lighting into heavily used areas is beneficial to everyone involved with its operation.

Fitout specialists will advise on the most efficient ways to utilise the natural lighting available to your office space, such as positioning desks or shelving near windows where possible and adding skylights for areas hard-hit by natural light or creating open-plan designs that use less floor space by eliminating walls and cubicles that restrict natural illumination.

Reducing paper documentation and shifting storage to the cloud can create more space while improving office aesthetics, so keeping this in mind when working with a fitout professional will ensure your office space is as functional and aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Consider a mezzanine/split-level layout.

Building a mezzanine level may provide an efficient and cost-effective means of maximising unused floor space if your facility boasts high ceilings. A mezzanine is also an effective solution if exponential growth is anticipated.

Mezzanines can add spaciousness to small office fitouts Melbourne by eliminating visual chaos and disarray. Keep furniture to a minimum, choosing multipurpose pieces such as desks with storage compartments that double as seating to save space, and selecting light-coloured walls will further illuminate your office and create an airy ambience.

Please keep it simple.

Small office fitouts Melbourne can be challenging and time-consuming, but keeping things straightforward can improve results.

Storage on the floor takes up valuable space, so investing in shelving solutions may be beneficial in controlling clutter while visually expanding your room.

Selecting an effective colour scheme is equally essential to increasing productivity in the office environment. A lighter hue may create space-freeing advantages in your space.

Declutter.

Clutter is an intractable problem in offices. From piles of papers on your desk to random objects strewn around your workspace, an untidy work area can become distracting and make it hard for employees to focus on their current tasks.

Before beginning to declutter your office space, it is wise to clean it first and keep a photo of its initial state as motivation throughout the process. Doing this also allows you to see precisely how much progress has been made, which may help if motivation wanes during this process.

Opt for lighter colours.

Lighter colours in your small office fitouts Melbourne can help it feel larger and more open, and pale neutrals like parchment and warm beige work well to achieve this effect. Darker shades like forest green and rich taupe also work if applied according to the 60-30-10 rule: use neutral paint for at least 60% of the room while adding darker tones like browns or deep forest green for 30%.

Be symmetrical.

Symmetry can be an invaluable design element, creating an impression of balance, order and tranquillity in any space. To accomplish this look, you could arrange identical furniture pieces symmetrically or interior items like wall paintings, decor or shelving so that their proportions mirror each other perfectly.

Be mindful to keep it minimal. Too many items can create an untidy appearance and disorganisation – not what’s desired in a small office fitout!

Add an accent colour to your symmetrical layout to draw the eye and add visual interest, particularly if you use a theme or colour scheme throughout your space. It works especially well when decorating with themes.

Opt for floor-to-ceiling windows.

As technology allows us to stay in contact with colleagues, many new fitouts now include space for face-to-face meetings and spontaneous gatherings. Small meeting rooms may offer space, while some also feature acoustic pods or booths for private calls or videoconferencing.

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to maximise unblocked views while expanding a room’s visual footprint and creating the illusion of more space. Plus, these large panes of glass blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors!