Design Tips

A well-designed office has comfortable workstations, good lighting, and a layout that puts work surfaces, storage, technology, and other essentials where you need them. Thinking about how you work best during the design phase allows you to set up your office in a way that will help you stay organized.

Here are some tips to help you get started. Talotta is ready to help you can get down to business!

Evaluate the Space

Now look closely at the existing space and keep productivity and efficiency in mind while you think about how space will be used.

• Think about how you will be using the space.
• How many people will be working in the office?
• Will you be meeting clients there?

• How can this space accommodate wheelchairs?
• Is any special equipment like a drafting table or video conferencing needed?
• What about storage space?

• Where does the computer and printer need to be  located on your work surface?

 

 

Decide on a Room Style

What best complements your building’s décor and meets your budget?

Consider Your Desk Options

Think about what size, shape, and style will best serve your needs. Free-standing desks come in standard types: U-shaped, L-shaped, corner, curved, rectangular (writing, computer, executive style) and standing.

Desk Chair – Choose a comfortable chair with casters, a swiveling seat, good lumbar support, and controls that let you adjust every component for height, width, depth, and tilt.

Keyboard Tray – Consider a pullout keyboard tray or shelf to reduce the chance of muscle strain.

Are you designing a home office? If you can splurge on only one thing in your office, make it your workstation. Having an ergonomic — meaning efficient and safe — arrangement of your chair, desk, computer, keyboard, mouse, and telephone can keep you working more productively and prevent repetitive injuries. Remember to keep good posture in mind. Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers some guidelines. OSHA recommends that your forearms, wrists, and hands be in a straight line and generally parallel to the floor; your head be level or bent slightly forward and in line with your torso, and your elbows stay close to your body. Your thighs and hips should be roughly parallel to the floor and your knees about the same height as your hips. Your feet should be fully supported by the floor or a footrest.

Going Green

Whether you are deciding to work towards LEED certification for your building, or you would like to have your space designed to be eco-friendly, depend on us to assist you. We provide the guidance you need to ensure the success of your environmentally friendly project. Consider eco-friendly fabrics and finishes, adding solar and use natural light, add recycled furniture into your design for a touch of whimsy.

Storage

Are there files and information you need to save? Think about what you want to look at and have at your fingertips every day. These things should go on desktops and open shelves — perhaps in baskets, boxes or organizers. Supplies and equipment — printer ink cartridges, batteries, coffee filters, magazines — to store as well. Everything else can be stored in drawers and cabinets, with the most frequently accessed items within arm’s reach and the rest in higher cabinets or drawers farther away from where you work. A fire-safe box can protect important documents.

Make Way for Technology

Digital devices and other technology should be a primary consideration in your office design. Besides how to safely conceal cords and cables, here are some things to consider.

• Computer equipment (i.e., desktop model, monitor, laptop, tablet, hard drive, keyboard, and mouse)
• Printer, scanner, fax, copier (all-in-one or separate units)
• Telephones, cellphone charger, headsets
• Wi-Fi router, cable modem, TV screen, cable box, DVR
• Stereo and speakers, recording equipment
• Video conferencing equipment
• Cable and telephone lines, electrical outlets, surge protector
• Paper shredder, or shredding bins

Conceal cords and cables – Space can be left between a desk and a wall to run cords, as was done in this Toronto office, where a repurposed credenza, laminate countertop, and file cabinets were fashioned into a desk. Another way to minimize cords and cables is to select a desk that has holes cut into desktops, false walls, and cabinet backs. You also can have outlets built into cabinetry. Wires can be bundled together or concealed in housing to minimize their presence. It’s worth arranging wires and cords neatly to make it easier to check connections if equipment malfunctions.

Plan Your Lighting
The presence of computer monitors can make lighting office spaces tricky. Light needs to be diffused and the fixtures positioned to avoid creating screen glare, which can lead to eyestrain. Consider offering layers of light rather than a single light source from recessed ceiling lights, a pendant light, a desk lamp and a window with a blind.

 

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