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How to maximise your small office space

By making the most of your small office space, you can spend more time focused on running your business rather than struggling for space. Follow our easy tips to maximise your small office space.

When first starting out, chances are you’ll be running your business in a small office space – whether that’s a home office or a rented office. A small office layout is more challenging than a large office, and a cramped space full of office clutter can make you less organised and less efficient. While every office is different, tailoring office space to your needs and maximising office space will let you focus on running your business rather than fighting for space.

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Here are our top tips for maximising small office space.

 

Invest in storage to boost office space

Brilliant, effective storage solutions are vital in a small office space. Desks and shelves cluttered with supplies can reduce the appearance of space, so instead:

• Use baskets, filing cabinets, shelves, drawers, dividers and cupboards to organize stationary and office items;

• Closed cupboards and desk drawers can hide supplies, making office space look more spacious;

• Think about storing less-used items or paperwork elsewhere. Off-site storage is reasonable cheap and useful for storing hard copies of information that must be kept;

• Alternatively, store documents and information digitally. Cloud-based storage services let you ditch clunky filing cabinets, freeing up valuable space in a small office spaces. Basic online storage services from Microsoft, Google, Apple and Dropbox will get you started, and expect to pay around £10 per month for around 1TB of online storage.

 

Declutter your office space

The messier your office, the less effective space there is to work in. You can’t afford clutter in a small office space, so regularly purge unnecessary paperwork and maintain a weekly ‘desk-tidy’ routine. Assess whether your office supplies are useful – if you never use that aging fax machine, then ditch it. Organise your office based on how often you use items. If you don’t use items on a regular basis, store them away, rather than keeping it on your desk.

 

Clear away office cables

Offices overrun by tangled cables not only look messy but can be a health and safety hazard. Connect your computers and devices using wi-fi to remove the need for cables entirely. Alternatively use cable tidies or use sandwich bag ties to keep cables neatly together. Use cable trays and underdesk wire baskets to keep cables off the floor. On a budget? Cheap DIY alternatives for storing cables include pipe insulation, binder clips, paper roll tubes and even rain guttering used under desks.

 

Make use of office wall space

Wall storage is an effective way to maximise office space and free up space on your desk and floor. Use wall hooks, cupboards and shelves to store items. Cork or magnetic boards may be useful for keeping paperwork out of the way. Mirrors on the walls can also give the impression of a larger office.

 

Use aesthetics

Small, dark offices can feel draining. Brighten thing up with a splash of colour, with varying hues bringing a different aesthetic. For example, blue has a calming effect while yellow is linked to promoting a happier mood. If you can’t paint the walls, use bright posters or prints along with potted plants to make your office visually pleasing. Dark furniture with light walls is the best combination for a smaller office. Natural lighting is essential to productivity, so make the most of the windows in your small office. If natural lighting is scares, add LED lighting to brighten up a dark office.

 

Buy smaller office furniture

Avoid overlarge desks and chairs in a small office – you’ll probably be using just a phone and laptop to work so a big desk is redundant. Keep your keyboard on a pullout drawer below the desk in order to free up desk space.

 

Learn with Start Up Loans and help get your business off the ground

Thinking of starting a business? Check out our free online courses in partnership with the Open University on being an entrepreneur.

Our free  Learn with Start Up Loans courses opens in new window include:

Plus free courses on finance and accounting, project management, and leadership.

 

Reference to any organisation, business and event on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from the British Business Bank or the UK Government. Whilst we make reasonable efforts to keep the information on this page up to date, we do not guarantee or warrant (implied or otherwise) that it is current, accurate or complete. The information is intended for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal situation, nor does it constitute legal, financial, tax or other professional advice. You should always consider whether the information is applicable to your particular circumstances and, where appropriate, seek professional or specialist advice or support.

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