With years of experience in designing and fitting out office spaces, we’ve seen firsthand how the right redesign can be a game-changer for businesses. Often overlooked, the design and layout of your workspace play a surprisingly large role in productivity, employee happiness, and ultimately business success. The Gensler Workplace Survey 2023 found that an effective office redesign can boost employee performance by up to 21%, and this improvement ultimately stems from creating environments that support focus, suit employee working styles, and reflect a company’s culture.
If you’re planning to revamp your office design and layout, we’ve outlined six design styles that can help guide your decision. We’ll explore the benefits of each and the key factors to consider.
1. Open-Plan Layout
An open-plan office design and layout is a common choice, characterised by a large, open space without partitions or cubicles. As of 2023, 49% of UK employees were based in open-plan offices, with the majority of UK companies favouring this layout style over closed-off spaces.
This layout fosters collaboration and communication, making it ideal for creative industries or companies that prioritise teamwork. Desks are often arranged in clusters, and shared spaces like lounges and meeting rooms are easily accessible. While spaces like this promote interaction, it’s worth considering that it can sometimes lead to noise distractions, so integrating quiet zones or soundproofing solutions maybe be necessary.
2. Private Office Layout
While open-plan offices have become the go-to choice for many companies, not everyone is thrilled with this trend. A survey of 10,500 employees across Europe, North America, and Asia, commissioned by British office equipment company Expert Market, found that workers were losing up to 86 minutes per day to interruptions, and 31% of respondents admitted they often had to leave the office altogether to find a quiet place to complete their tasks.
Private office layouts provide a more controlled environment, with individual offices separated by walls or partitions. This setup offers employees a dedicated space where they can concentrate without the noise and interruptions of a shared office. Ideal for executives, managers, and roles that require confidentiality, private offices enable focused work and protect sensitive information. However, while private offices are excellent for reducing distractions, they can also create a sense of isolation, making spontaneous collaboration less likely.
3. Hybrid Layout
When we talk about a hybrid office layout, we’re not referring to the work-from-home hybrid model but rather a blend of open-plan and private office design. This layout strikes a balance, providing flexibility and accommodating diverse working styles. Integrating communal areas for collaboration, brainstorming, and social interaction with quiet, dedicated spaces for focused work, employees have the freedom to choose the environment that best suits their tasks.
This design approach has become increasingly common with medium to large companies that want to promote a dynamic work culture where interaction and teamwork thrive, yet still offer the privacy needed for concentrated, individual work.
4. Team-Based Layout
The team-based layout is designed to support specific groups or departments by arranging workspaces in clusters that promote group work. This layout often includes dedicated areas for teams to brainstorm and meet, and is particularly beneficial for organisations that rely on close-knit collaboration, project-based work, or departmental synergies. Each team has its own “neighbourhood” within the office, which can help streamline communication and foster a strong team identity. A team workspace will often include individual workstations and a collaboration space, reducing the need for meeting rooms.
5. Co-Working Layout
A co-working space is a shared, flexible workspace where freelancers, remote workers, small businesses, and individuals from various companies work side by side in a collaborative setting. While co-working might seem irrelevant for businesses planning an office redesign, it’s worth noting the valuable design principles these spaces embody.
Co-working layouts typically include a mix of shared desks, private offices, and communal spaces like lounges and kitchens. Integrating more communal areas into your office design can significantly transform the workplace culture, creating a more social and collaborative environment. The main advantage of co-working spaces is their ability to foster networking and build a sense of community, making them ideal for businesses that value collaboration and frequently engage with external partners or freelancers.
6. A Bespoke Office Design And Layout
Every business is unique, and your office layout should reflect your specific needs, culture, and goals. That’s why partnering with a professional office design and fit-out team is essential before making any decisions. At HE Interiors, our expert space planners take the time to understand your team size, work dynamics, available space, and design preferences.
Whether you need a collaborative hub, quiet focus zones, or a balanced hybrid layout, our bespoke approach ensures your office space works for you. Contact HE Interiors today for more information.
