Workplace interior fit-outs involve more than simply creating a design that is more modern or pleasing to the eye. A well-designed interior space can improve productivity, reflect and communicate your brand message, and allow for future expansion and changes.

Good design also allows you to improve comfort, lighting, energy efficiency, privacy and collaboration, as well as reduce costs, downsize, upsize or create whatever other changes you need to happen.

Here are some key elements to consider in the process.

1. Staff needs and desires

Ask your workers what they need and would like in the new fit-out. This could be done through email surveys, team meetings, or simply by starting conversations. After all, it is the staff that use the space the most!

2. Costs and budgets

A budget creates a starting point for assessing what you can get for your money for seeking out suitable quotes. Considerations for costing includes design, technical plans, materials, project management, construction and finishes.

It’s also a good idea to include a buffer (around 10%) in case of unanticipated expenses.

3. Current space usage

Analysing how your current spaces are used helps enable you to create a more effective and efficient working environment.

For example, you might find you have multipurpose rooms that are rarely used, meeting rooms that are always in-demand, inadequate storage areas leading to clutter and so on.

4. Allowance for the future

All business change over time. For this consider whether you will have enough space for growth of your teams and company expansion, and how technological changes could impact your business.

5. More flexible spaces

Big businesses such as Google are embracing the concept of agile workplaces – working environments where desk ‘ownership’, static offices and cubicles are minimised or eliminated in favour of more flexible and adaptive spaces.

Flexible spaces can improve privacy – such as through switchable glass and NEAT partitions.

6. Sustainability

A fit-out gives you the perfect opportunity to improve energy efficiency and sustainability. This can be done through energy-efficient lighting and heating, installing solar panels, incorporating lots of natural light, and the use of greenery which can cool the environment and help improve air quality.

7. Colour

Colour is more than just about how it all looks. How you use colour can impact on mood, creativity, activity and productivity. For example, blues and greens can improve focus, yellows stimulate creativity, and reds increase activity.

There are many other factors to consider for an office fit-out too – such as building codes, health and safety, technology, communications and more. Contacting a professional team for a consultation can help get you on your way to the ideal fit-out for your business.

7 Key Things to Consider for Interior Fit-outs / Formula Interiors