It’s been estimated that we spend about 90,000 hours working over the course of our lifetime.

Whether you’re a digital nomad that can get right down to business with only your computer and an Internet connection, or you’re a regular nine-to-fiver stationed at your very own desk, we spend so much time working that we ought to call our offices “second homes”.

When you spend half your day – or more! – at work, it’s important to have a workplace that works with you to get the job done. While you can say that a poor workman always blames his tools, you have to admit that having the right tools with you is a big help.

Office design is one of those tools. And no, office design is not just about having Instagrammable spots in your space. It’s about knowing exactly what you want to do with a space, and taking the steps to make it as usable as possible.

What is design? Let’s make use of the definition by Todd Olson, “design (verb), as a discipline: plan the creation of a product or service with the intention of improving human experience with respect to a specified problem.”

So, how can we apply this definition of design in our offices? Shall we count the ways?

1. FLEXIBLE WORKSPACES

Space is not an easy to grow commodity. In our mad rush to occupy as much space as we can in the metro, it’s now a race to rise as high as we can with our impressive skyscrapers. In other words, we now have to make do with the space that we currently have.

Here come the flexible workspaces – these have more than one use, such as coworking spaces that double as event spaces, or vice versa. However, it is much easier to say that something serves a dual purpose than it is to make it do so. Keep in mind that while creating one version of your flexible workspace, you’re also building its alternative.

While this is simpler to achieve when you have as many square meters as you can get, this is also doable with a smaller space. Plan for your space well – know exactly what you’ll be using it for, so when it’s time to build it out, all you’ll have to do is follow through.

Use height-adjustable desks, foldable chairs, convertible couches, and other multi-functional furniture to make your office truly flexible.

1. EQUIPPED FOR PRODUCTIVITY

Nowadays, the finest offices are the most well-equipped. This means having the right tech, the proper tools, and the best support for your day-to-day needs. Maintain your office equipment well – have everything from backups upon backups of your data to enough staplers and pens.

Instead of the typical desk, chair, and drawers in a cubicle, try a different layout that you think can work for your team. Everyone has different work habits and preferences, so it’s better to have a variety of options to choose from. For example, some people like to work at a standing or tall table, while others like lounging on a couch. Or perhaps you can incorporate an outdoor space so that your team doesn’t spend all day under artificial light and air conditioning.

Other things to keep in mind are the illumination and acoustics of the space. It can be draining to work in a poorly lit and noisy environment. Make use of natural light in your workspace, which is helpful in keeping a cheerful atmosphere and saving on electricity. As for keeping the sound levels down, place room dividers or rugs to isolate and buffer the noise in your space.

1. AESTHETICS IN ALL ASPECTS

One of the best things about having your own office is being able to customize and personalize it to your heart’s content – or at least, as much as your budget allows. In creating the overall design for your space, make sure that it reflects your business branding well. By doing so, guests and clients to your office will recognize it at a glance, and know that it is definitely your space.

Aside from sporting your company colors, you can also make use of current design trends for your office space, such as incorporating natural materials, greenery, and pops of color.

A couple of underrated trends are hand-crafted and uncommon appliances, along with geometric patterns. It may be a bit of a challenge to integrate them, especially if they don’t match your branding. However, you’d be surprised at how much geometry contributes to office design. By using the right furnishings at the right place, you can achieve a one-of-a-kind geometric look.

Take for example some of the furniture at LOFT – we partnered with Schema to add hand-crafted, geometric, metal elements to our space. From stools to coffee tables to light pieces, they’ve elevated the space with subtle personality.

1. SUSTAINABLE ELEMENTS

Aside from choosing sustainable materials with which to furnish your space, see if you can use recycled or upcycled materials. You can also invest in something entirely new, but take it a step further by making sure that you can use it for a long period of time. That way, it won’t be thrown in a landfill within a few years.

This is another good reason to utilize natural lighting, which is better for your health and your electric bill, but also enables you to bring in plants that improve your office environment. Bringing the outdoors inside reduces the stuffy office mindset, and allows you to breathe with your surroundings.

You can also encourage your team to reuse their cups and bring their own utensils. Partner with eco-friendly brands, and give your clients perks and discounts to promote awareness for a good cause. Promote a paperless workspace by using digital tools and apps.

1. ADDITIONAL AMENITIES

Other than your everyday workspace, having additional amenities to improve productivity at the office is more useful than you realize. As mentioned before, your workplace can be considered your second home. What are the amenities that you find useful in your own home, and how conducive would they be to your productivity at work?

Some basic amenities that you can include would be a kitchenette, a shower, a clinic, sleeping quarters, and a lounge space. This gives you and your team the chance to care for their basic needs during their downtime. Even in a small way, you’d be investing in the health and wellness of your employees by providing them with these convenient amenities.

You could also consider including some of the more fun stuff for your office, like a game room, or even a mini gym! It can be as simple as having a chessboard, a pinball machine, or just a few tabletop games on hand for stressful days. These are sure to keep morale up with your team and lets them know that your company isn’t all work and no play.

By giving your team the right tools that they need to get their best work done, you can trust that they can be as productive as they can be in your workspace. Make sure to use the most work-efficient equipment to guarantee that you’re using reliable, long-lasting materials that can support your business in the long run. All of this starts with the ideal design for your workspace.

Check out other products from Schema! Visit their website at www.schemaproduct.com, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see them in action.