Designing the Perfect Private Office Space for Your Business

Many business owners view office spaces as a workplace with four walls, a ceiling, and a floor. But your work environment is about more than its physical attributes. It’s also a safe space for focus, productivity, and collaboration.

Like a home, you and your colleagues may spend most of your week here. So instead of reducing your office design to a lackluster layout replicating cubicles from the early 2000s, consider developing an open office that allows you to tap into your zone of genius.

A private office offers endless possibilities for business growth. Whether you intend to scale or downsize, you’ll want to select an office design that supports your goals and team. Join us as we explore the importance of designing your office space with intention to ensure your business thrives! 

What is office design?

Modern office design focuses on fostering a productive and purposeful workplace. When you customize an office space to align with your crew, you nurture them through their environment and establish a strong foundation for them to succeed. 

Why is office design important?

Our surroundings have a profound impact on our work performance. Everything from colors to lighting to furniture can influence your team. For example, fluorescent lighting contributes to eye strain and reduced productivity. That’s why it’s essential to be intentional with your office design. The right office space will inspire your employees and boost their morale. 

As you explore various office plans, consider how you feel about your current work environment. Does it motivate you to accomplish your goals? Are you comfortable being yourself and collaborating with others? Does it represent your business values and company culture? Set aside time to discuss these questions with your staff and gain insight into what an ideal office looks like to you.  

Using office design to create the right atmosphere

A well-designed office space is an inclusive environment that invites your team to work together toward your collective goals. It’s also an opportunity to express your professional values. Here are four ways to achieve an atmosphere that aligns with your team: 

• Start the conversation with your staff: Conduct a meeting where you explore the pros and cons of your current office space and elements that might improve it. You’ll want to focus on ways to elevate workflows and productivity.
• Consider company culture: What are the defining characteristics of your business? Is it your unique branding or your engaging services? Incorporating these aspects in your design will add a touch of personality to your private office.
• Focus on collaboration: Infuse a collaborative spirit into your office design by opting for an open layout. Consider touring some of Metro Offices’ locations to immerse yourself in an open-concept style. 
• Establish your main uses: How will you and your team use the office space? Review daily work activities to determine your needs and create an office design that supports your workflows. 

Assessing your business needs

Beyond the basic amenities and design elements, you’ll want to consider how much office space your company and employees require.  

How much space does your company need?

To start, list the necessary equipment and technology for your work. This bullet list may include the following:

• Desks
• Office chairs
• Filing cabinets
• Computers
• Printers
• Scanners
• Additional IT equipment 

If collaboration plays a significant role in your business, determine how much space you need for meetings and lounge areas. An open floor plan can foster human connections and team building.

Your office design can also support the future of your business. For instance, it may be worth viewing larger office spaces if you intend to scale in the next few years. Browse our private offices to see if they allow room for growth.

How much space do you need per employee?

Assess how many workers you have and the space they need to do their jobs effectively. Generally, the best rule of thumb is to allow 175 square feet per staff member. While you can convert a large private office into a close-knit work environment lined with rows of desks, you can also create an open office space with designated workstations. 

What to consider when deciding on your office layout

Your team’s preferences are a major factor in your final office layout. If your crew is collaborative, an open design may be beneficial. However, if your employees prefer to work solo, consider renting separate offices or adding modular panels for privacy. 

There’s also a third option of merging the two styles. Ideally, your office design should promote accessibility, inclusivity, and convenience. 

Choosing the right location 

As you reimagine your office design, consider the best use of the space and positioning. For instance, placing the lounge area next to the solo workstations wouldn’t make sense, as casual conversations may be distracting. 

Another example is private client meetings, which should be reserved for designated areas in the office rather than by the collaboration area. Play around with your workstations until you develop the best match.

Designing the layout

Office layouts are diverse, but for the most part, they fall into the following categories: open offices, private offices, and a combination. An open office space removes the panels and allows for accessible communication among colleagues. This can be healthy for building camaraderie, inspiring creativity, and humanizing the workplace. 

On the other hand, open offices can contribute to noise pollution and distractions, potentially reducing productivity. They also offer very little privacy and increase the risk of security breaches. 

As the name suggests, private offices maintain confidentiality, allowing employees to focus on their projects without any distractions. Because it’s private, workers can also manage professional and personal matters without an audience. However, this type of layout offers fewer opportunities for collaboration.

Finally, you can get the best of both worlds by combining the two office designs. You can dedicate specific areas to private workstations and larger meetings, helping you cater to the collaborative nature of your business and allowing employees to work independently.

Selecting the right furniture

Finding great furniture pieces isn’t limited to your home. You can feature them in your work environment too. Your office furniture is an extension of your design, so have fun with the styles, but be sure to keep comfort and quality top of mind. Ergonomic furniture, like a standing desk, benefits your employees’ physical health. 

If you want to establish a flexible workplace, purchase office chairs with wheels so it’s easy for everyone to roll from collaboration areas to their designated core stations. The options for modern office furniture are limitless, and you will undoubtedly find the right style for your team. 

Plus, let’s remember the importance of longevity. While you can choose cheaper alternatives, they may not hold up over time. Instead, opt for high-quality furniture that looks and feels great. 

Using lighting and temperature control

It’s time to bid harsh fluorescent lighting farewell and welcome natural light. Modern office designs embrace natural lighting because of its many positive benefits. For example, natural light is healthy for your circadian rhythm, enhances vitamin D, and boosts your mood. Select a private office with plenty of windows.

As for the areas far from the windows, you can implement warm lights to make the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Cool lights are also helpful for reducing fatigue. 

In addition, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests maintaining a temperature of 68 degrees to 76 degrees in the office. You can discuss temperature levels with your team to find a happy medium. 

Customizing color and décor

Like a blank canvas, walls look much better with a coat of paint. Get creative and incorporate colors into your walls, furnishings, and artwork. Studies show that colors in our environment can influence our mood. For instance, blue and green evoke focus, while vibrant colors, like yellow, boost mood and morale. You can learn more about the influence of color in office design here. 

In addition to broadening your color palette, consider hanging art pieces to enhance your employees’ productivity and creativity. Art can also elevate the ambiance of your private office for your clients.

Beyond art, plants add a hint of freshness to the office space, cleaning the air in the process. If you don’t have a green thumb, no worries. Opt for low-maintenance plants that give the same effect without any extra work. Your final office design will look outstanding with some greenery. 

Incorporating technology

A modern office isn’t complete without the latest technology to support your business needs. As you develop your office design, consider the most common tools your workers utilize. For example, you may employ interactive digital whiteboards and video conferencing programs during meetings.

Technology adds another level of convenience and accessibility to your design. It also leaves a powerful impression on prospects and makes the collaboration process seamless. Review your automated tools and ensure they’re included in your office design. 

Creating a collaborative workspace

Collaboration is key in an open office space. Whether your team meets in large groups or focuses on solo work, you can design your private office to cater to this aspect of your business. A simple way of creating a collaborative environment is by incorporating movable furniture, like chairs with wheels, foldable desks, and nesting tables. You can also divide the space into collaborative workstations designed for a full team. 

Want to learn more? Let’s work together!

Many business owners want a modern office design custom-made for their team, but the costs associated with renting an office space and personalizing a layout make them hesitate. Fortunately, Metro Offices has the perfect solution for you. We provide fully-equipped private offices to nurture your team and help your business grow. 

Find your dream private office in one of our nine convenient locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia today! 

Women-owned and locally-focused, Metro Offices has been a catalyst for workspace innovation since 1989 and continues to be the premier provider of virtual and in-person office space in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Serving over 30,000 businesses, our high-touch services and solutions are designed to help entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs scale their businesses and optimize their professional reputations.

Kathlene Buchanan

As the founder of Metro Offices, she has championed workspace innovation since 1989, inspired by the creativity and drive of their 30,000+ clients. Woman-owned and locally focused, the company tailors its spaces to meet the unique needs of every business.