Have you ever walked into a store and felt completely overwhelmed by the layout, and the isles of goods look more like overhanging swamp-vines than shelves?
Have you walked into an office thinking if you had to work there for even just one day, you’d probably have more fun spiralling through purgatory for all eternity, than working here.
These examples are cases of bad space planning. Space planning and floor drawings can make or break your commercial, retail, or even residential space. It is the first and most crucial part of the office fitout or store design. If the interior works, the business works.
But what is space planning, and how do you do it? If you’re an office manager, or responsible for giving your space a fresh new look, fear not. In this article we will walk you through the what, how and why of everything space planning.
What is Space Planning?
As mentioned before, space planning will be the first step you take in an office fitout, and will likely be the most important. There’s an old cliche that says “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. This couldn’t be truer in the case of retail and commercial fit outs.
Space planning is the in-depth analysis of what you will do with your physical space. The way you plan, and improve the use of your physical space will:
- Improve flow of your area to feel natural
- Use natural lighting to improve people’s mood
- Noise travel considerations to limit distractions
- Use all of your space so it is efficiently used and you’re not wasting money on a bigger space than you need
- Help with business growth
5 Reasons Space Planning Will Improve Your Space
Analysing your physical space and creating an office plan, or residential store interior fitout, will help your business by improving your space. 5 reasons why include:
Reason 1: It Will Give Your Customers/Clients A Good First Impression
First impressions last. People can definitely be that shallow, especially if it’s with a physical space/your inanimate brand that they don’t have to sympathise with. If you do not set a good impression from the get-go, you will be fighting an uphill battle from square one. Your space will reflect your brand. If your customer/client does not like your space, they will find it hard to like your brand.
Reason 2: It Will Improve Customer/Client Experience
If you have a high foot traffic retail space, you need to closely control the flow of your customers through your store. This means strategically planning and placing your products in reasonable locations that are well spaced out. Doing this will reduce bottle-necking of the foot traffic in your store and make the space feel bigger and breathable, which is especially important in a COVID-19 sensitive world.
For an office layout, it will improve the experience of your clients by allowing them to feel comfortable which will help with communication in business. Make sure you have all the resources both you and your clients will need. If your client is going to give you their money, they need to feel comfortable.
Reason 3: Increased Productivity
A well thought out small office fit out, or any office fit out design, will increase workforce productivity. Making your staff feel comfortable, validated, and cared for, will give them motivation to make your business money. If they feel like you do not care for them, they will sandbag. A well made space plan will reassure them and give them the resources they need.
Reason 4: Planning Your Space Will Save You Money
How much does an office fitout cost? What if I told you that you don’t need to rent a space that is bigger than you need (a bold statement I know). By planning what you do with your space, you can make sure you use all of it and maximise your efficiency. You can save money by using up all of your space, and making sure you don’t pay for areas you don’t use.
Reason 5: Space Planning Will Allow For Growth
Plan for where you want to be, not for where you are right now. Calculate how much space you need. If you are wanting to grow and scale your business, you can reflect this in your space planning and office fit out ideas.
How Do You Space Plan?
The best thing to do when it comes to planning your space in a fit out is to consult commercial fit out companies. By discussing your needs, wants and requirements with a professional, they can take you through options, as well as give you floor drawings and layouts that comply with legislations and regulations of office fitouts.
The Benefit Of An Office Fitout Professional
Selecting an office fitout company has many advantages when undergoing an office fitout. The Office Fitout Professionals are the best in commercial office fit outs in Perth because of our complete turnkey solution. We can provide you with:
- Carpentry and joinery
- Electrical and data
- Flooring and ceiling
- Plumbing
- Painting
- Air conditioning
- Fire services
- Furniture supply
- Glazing
- Security
- Signage
We will make sure we provide you with all the tools, designers, and commercial interior builders you need to meet regulations and make the process very easy. This is what separates us from other fitout companies in Perth.
You want a starting point for your commercial office fit out in Perth? Well, we’re it! The only thing slowing you down now is you! Contact us today to start your complete office rejuvenation.