What Makes for a Good Office Fit Out

Whether you’re aiming to enhance team-working, realign your interior with your company culture or simply refresh an old layout, a commercial office fit-out is a worthwhile investment for the new year. There are plenty of advantages on offer, but what makes a good office fit-out and how do you ensure yours is up to par?

 

What’s the formula behind a good office fit-out?

As an office fit out company, we know that in order to create an office space that works for you, it’s vital for us to understand your objectives. If you’re looking for a workspace that can support hybrid working with an active social space, or you’d prefer a quiet haven to concentrate, it’s vital information for us to know. The real purpose of your office is the key to identifying the formula for your perfect office fit-out.

As part of our consultation, we prioritise speaking to staff and key members of your company to discover the true requirements and create interiors to support those needs. After all, having a beautiful workspace that you enjoy being in, that also makes your work-life easier, is the essence of a good office fit-out.

 

What should you avoid?

You might start your office project with a clear idea of what you want based on another office you’ve seen, but it’s important to note that despite inspiration being welcomed, what works for other companies may not work for you.

Part of our process involves testing out features and layouts and evaluating whether they are best for you. Picking an entirely new layout or style without testing it first is something you should avoid. We ensure your new space works for you with rigorous testing through 3D renders and walkthroughs so you can experience your new office before any work is started. Once you’ve committed to a layout and you realise it isn’t working for you, it can be very difficult to reverse it without significant cost and disruption.

Following the latest trends is another thing we encourage you to be mindful about. There are a number of interior design trends that last the test of time and can still look great in years to come. However, there are also many trends that do not age as well. Ensuring whatever you choose, trend or not will work for you in the future just as well as it does now is something we advise. Picking anything for your office that has not been thoughtfully considered is definitely something to avoid.

It’s important to understand the type of office fit-out you desire to avoid any disappointment. We’ve broken down the difference between Cat A and Cat B fit-outs so you can choose what works best for you. There are also plenty of frequently asked questions we come across, so we’ve also included the questions and their answers on our FAQ’s page to help you on your journey.

 

How do you ensure your fit-out is successful?

Ultimately, a good office fit-out is only successful if it enhances your workspace and supports your company. There’s a plethora of research that shows how interior office design directly affects the productivity and wellbeing of your employees, which is a measurable way to assess how good your workspace is. Are your employees happy? Do they feel invigorated by their workspace? Has your office fit-out met the goals and expectations you set out to meet?

At McFeggan Brown, we believe a good office-fit out is achieved when our clients are excited to return to work each day because of how their environment makes them feel. There are a number of ways a fit-out can be defined as ‘good’ but for us, it’s all about creating an office that is enjoyable to be in.

Interested in an office fit-out or refurbishment? Take a look at our case studies to see the fit-out projects we have completed and get in touch with us today. Why not also check out our recent blog on office fit out trends for 2022 which touches on smart and transformable offices, sustainability and collaboration spaces?

Ergonomics in the Working Environment

Ergonomics is the science of designing and adjusting a workspace to suit the needs of its users; this includes the arrangement of furniture and equipment. By combining anatomy, physiology, psychology and engineering, businesses can improve employee comfort and increase efficiency and productivity.

The relationship between an employee and their work environment has an enormous impact on their physical and mental health, which is why it can be extremely valuable to both worker and employer. The furniture and equipment employees have access to are a big part of their workspace so if something isn’t working for them, it can have a big impact too. Get your office fit out right and you’ll have a happy and productive workforce, get it wrong and workers can become demotivated, unhappy and, in some cases, experience issues such as repetitive strain injury.

In this blog we’ll be taking you through the key points you need to consider when it comes to ergonomics during your commercial office fit out to ensure your workers can not only work efficiently but also produce their very best work.

 

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

When it comes to office chairs, posture is vital, especially when you’re spending hours at a time sitting at your desk. A good ergonomic chair will also reduce the chances of common aches and pains such as back and neck pain, all of which can lead to long-term and sometimes permanent issues if left untreated. The Health and Safety Executive recommends the following:

– Your office chair should provide good lower back support or, if this is not possible, a cushion or additional back support accessories should be sourced

– The height of the seat should equally support the front and back of your thighs

– There should be a gap of 2-3 cm between front of the seat and the bottom and back of your knee

Where possible, chairs should also provide good arm support to help support your neck and shoulders. Both of your feet should be flat on the ground without having to strain your feet or legs; if this isn’t possible, foot rests can be introduced for elevation.

Sitting down for a long time has been shown to be bad for your health so encouraging your employees to get out of their chair and move around on a regular basis will help to counteract these problems.

 

 

It’s All About Screens

Nowadays, the majority of office workers spend several hours in front of a screen each working day so having a properly positioned computer monitor or laptop screen can have a profound effect on your health. If positioned at the wrong angle or height, a screen can cause neck pain, shoulder tension and headaches.

Optimal screen positioning depends on a number of factors including height of the monitor, distance to the screen and arrangement with multiple monitors. The Health and Safety Executive recommends the following:

– The top of your screen should be level with your eyes

– Your screen should be at about an arm’s length away, directly in front of you on desk or other surface

– Your keyboard should be just below elbow height and central

– Your mouse should be in line with your elbow

Again, advising your employees to take regular breaks away from their screen will help them to relax and re-set their joints as well as reducing eye strain and headaches.

 

 

Desks and Breakout Areas

There are all sorts of options when it comes to desks these days. An adjustable desk can be the ideal ergonomic solution, with the option to adjust its height to suit the individual using it or even switch things up and use it as a standing desk for a change.

Breakout areas and meeting pods are another great solution, giving your team a change of scenery for part of their day. Not only will this give them a break from their usual seated position but it will also help them to re-energise and refresh their minds. And don’t forget about the all important breakroom and communal kitchen – your staff members need a place where they can socialise and restore.

What next?

As we transition into a new year, now is the perfect time to consider refreshing your workspace as workers gear up to return to the office. If you’d like some help with your office furniture or office design, contact us for a chat today.

Office Design: Why Different Is Good

As experts of office design and office fit outs, we understand that your workplace interior has a huge impact on your company. Most of us picture the same thing when we talk about the office; a somewhat bland, uninspiring place where we argue over the temperature and who has the best desk. We’re here to show you that it doesn’t have to be this way.

We encourage all businesses to rethink their office design, to consider the impact a good office can have, and to be different. Different is good, and in this blog, we’ll explore why different is so imperative to your workplace.

What is ‘Different’?

Different doesn’t have to mean garish colours and über modern furniture, it can be a visual representation of the very heart of your company. It can reflect your culture and mission. It can be minimalist, maximalist, modern or traditional; whatever your preferred definition of ‘different’ is, we can help you achieve it.

Finding out what your ‘different’ is, is exactly what our team of experts are here for. So why do you need ‘different’ office design?

Spark Creativity

One of the forgotten benefits of good office design is the way it can spark creativity. A well thought out design can help employees find a new sense of purpose and inspiration. After all, the best workplaces are the ones that help staff reach their full potential.

Stimulating design and features can encourage employees to step out of their comfort zones, step away from their desks, and explore new ideas. Incorporating areas to support group collaboration can also be beneficial.

Stand Out

Another benefit of having a ‘different’ office design is the chance to stand out and set yourself apart from competitors. Traditionally, most office buildings were built with functionality in mind rather than individuality. During our commercial office fit-outs we often find ourselves redesigning spaces to best support the needs of our clients. A redesign can be a brilliant opportunity to relaunch yourselves in your industry, keeping you ahead of competition and demonstrating that you’re leaders of change. If everyone’s raving about how fantastic your new office is, you’re on the right track.

Attract New Employees & Clients

We all know first impressions are important. Having a workplace that is memorable can do a lot of legwork for you when it comes to finding new employees and clients.

In fact, a recent survey shows that 76% of those aged between 18 and 34 feel very strongly that the office design and aesthetics of a workplace influences their impression of a company. Another aspect of this survey found that 70% of respondents wished their current workplace would consider an upgrade.

A ‘different’ office design can not only help you attract new talent, but it can also help you retain current employees and increase employee satisfaction.

Innovation & Future-Proofing

An intrinsic part of standing out and attracting new employees is innovation and future-proofing. Innovation often goes hand in hand with future-proofing, and at McFeggan Brown, we’re passionate about finding smart solutions to your workplace challenges.

A ‘different’ office is often the one that embraces new developments in technology and ergonomics. Being open to modern improvements and designs, such as private pods and smart appliances, will put you at the forefront of innovation.

One of the key issues raised by employees about their workplace is the feeling of stagnation that often comes with a lack of refurbishments or upgrades. Don’t stay stuck in the office design of the past or you could be left behind. The whole point of future-proofing your workplace is to enhance and improve current working conditions, so what have you got to lose?

Shows Care for Employees

Have you ever considered the psychological impact of your office design? Research shows that work environments can have a direct psychological impact on people; harnessing this for good can help you improve the work life for everyone at your workplace.

We’ve discussed the influence of office design on employees’ wellbeing and productivity numerous times, largely because it really is as complex as it is important. Not only does this show a level of respect and care for employees, it may also help with encouraging people to return to the office and find joy in office life again, following the COVID-19 restrictions.

So, hopefully now you understand why ‘different’ office design is a good thing. If you’re still not sure what to do about your current office, why not get in touch with our friendly team and see how we can help?