METCALF MOVING BLOG
5 General Principles to Follow When Downsizing Your Office
While typically expansion is the driving force behind a company’s need to uproot and move, relocating a smaller business is sometimes the better option. Configuring, decluttering, and finding enough room for everyone can be challenging when downsizing from a larger floor plan. Read on for some guidelines to follow as you pare down your workplace.
Use simple, functional furniture.
Although minimalism is often associated with homes, you can use the same principles in offices. Form, clarity, and utility are the three pillars of minimalism. Consider this when choosing furniture for the new, smaller office space.
- Do the pieces take up more space than necessary, depending on how they are made?
- Do the pieces’ focal points draw too much attention from the eye?
- Does each piece perform a specific function?
You can save a lot of room in the new office by being selective about the furniture you bring in.
Move your files to the cloud and eliminate paper wherever you can.
Paper records and files are becoming increasingly unnecessary, and as a business owner, this means you can downsize more easily. In addition, you can digitize your paper files and store the digital versions on remote servers for safekeeping. As a result, you can eliminate the need for physical filing cabinets and internal data storage systems.
Consider making changes to your company’s policies regarding telecommuting.
In recent years, telecommuting strategies have become increasingly common. For example, you might move some employees into remote roles to reduce overhead costs. This reduces the number of workers required in the physical office, saving on rent, utilities, and desk space.
Determine what your workers need.
Before deciding how to reduce your staff size, it is essential to understand what each employee does daily and how they use their office space. With that information, you can tailor your reduced office space to ensure everyone involved is comfortable and able to perform at their best.
In determining your workers’ needs, remember to create space for privacy. If you have to cram more people into a smaller area, their fundamental requirements remain the same. Individuals make calls and prefer not to be overheard. Also, taking a break from the chaos of a busy office environment is also refreshing.
Seek storage options instead of added office space.
Commercial storage can be more cost-effective than renting square footage if you need somewhere to keep extra furniture, supplies, or other items. For instance, storage is an excellent option if you need to save a lot of additional furniture without paying extra for larger office space. In addition, off-site storage facilities may be preferable if your company maintains a large inventory stock for operational reasons.
Office Move Experts Can Assist You
Relocating a commercial office presents difficulties whether you are downsizing or upgrading. Always seek out expert assistance, as they will significantly simplify the process. Contact us for a no-obligation moving estimate.