How to Set Up a Modern Office: Tips & Ideas
A modern office is not only a business card but also a “second home” for employees, who devote a lot of time to work. A thoughtful renovation and the right setup of the space provide the best conditions for effective work, motivating people to give their maximum. Office fit-out is a complex task solved by a certain algorithm.
In this guide we’ve gathered practical tips and office ideas: how to plan and zone the space, choose a style, and ensure lighting, acoustics and clean air. Following these conditions helps create a cosy, convenient and truly modern office.
Layout and zoning
Modern office buildings usually have an open layout, with employees working in one large room. This format means installing partitions or at least desktop semi-transparent screens that limit the individual workspace.
Be sure to provide:
- for guests — a reception, waiting areas, and if needed separate rooms for confidential negotiations;
- for employees — kitchen-lounges, rest places and sports zones.
The space is zoned by arranging furniture, with partitions, different floor coverings or a contrasting wall colour (more in the article How to Zone an Office: Practical Techniques). As for area, specialists recommend 6-8 m² per employee in open spaces, while in a cellular layout 12-18 m² allows no more than three people.
Style and interior design
Most offices are decorated in restrained styles — hi-tech, modern, Scandi or minimalism — and calm colours that don’t distract from work. Creative companies, architectural or design studios, on the other hand, suit more extravagant solutions: art deco, modern, pop art or a brutal loft with bright accents, unusual materials and decor. On the latter, read the article Loft-Style Office: Features & Ideas.
Lighting and clean air
Productive work requires a sufficient level of illumination — optimally 300-500 lux. Besides natural light, the amount of which depends on the size and number of windows, ceiling and desk lamps are provided. More is in the article Office Lighting: How to Get It Right.
Air cleanliness is no less important: it’s scientifically proven that fresh air improves wellbeing and raises productivity by 10-11%. So it’s worth installing quality filtration and ventilation systems (on choosing, see the article Ventilation or Air Conditioning: What to Choose).
Acoustics and noise level
In open offices with many employees, the recommended noise level for work rooms — about 55 decibels — is taken into account. To reduce it effectively, the following are used:
- sound-absorbing constructions — suspended ceilings, frame mounting of plasterboard on walls, ceilings and partitions;
- sound-absorbing materials — foam, carpet coverings, cork panels, polyurethane backing and so on.
A well-thought-out set of such solutions makes an open space comfortable for focused work.
Office fit-out with Partner Create
A quality fit-out that takes all these conditions into account lets you create an office that presents the company successfully. Partner Create will think through the layout, style, light, acoustics and ventilation as early as the design stage and deliver the renovation under general contracting.
Examples of completed offices are in the office spaces portfolio.
Setting up a modern office in brief
- The layout is usually open; the space is divided with partitions, screens, furniture and colour.
- Provide a reception, waiting areas, meeting rooms, kitchen-lounges and rest zones.
- Area: 6-8 m² per person in open space; 12-18 m² — up to three people in a cellular layout.
- Style — restrained (hi-tech, Scandi, minimalism) or extravagant for creative companies.
- Lighting — 300-500 lux; clean air raises productivity by 10-11%.
- The noise level (about 55 dB) is reduced with suspended ceilings, plasterboard and acoustic materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the layout and zoning of the space. Modern offices are usually open, so partitions or desktop screens are installed, and a reception, waiting areas, meeting rooms, kitchen-lounges and rest places for employees are provided.
The optimal level of illumination is 300-500 lux. Besides natural light from windows, ceiling and desk lamps are provided to ensure comfortable work and not overtax employees’ eyesight.
In open spaces, specialists recommend 6-8 m² per employee. In a cellular layout, an area of 12-18 m² allows no more than three people — this ensures comfortable work without a cramped feeling.
The recommended noise level for work rooms is about 55 decibels. To reduce it, sound-absorbing constructions (suspended ceilings, plasterboard) and materials — foam, carpet coverings, cork panels and polyurethane backing — are used.
Set up a modern office with Partner Create
A modern office means comfort, productivity and a strong company image. Partner Create will combine layout, style, light, acoustics and ventilation into a single concept and deliver the space with responsibility for the result.
Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.
We also recommend How to Zone an Office: Practical Techniques and Office Lighting: How to Get It Right — they will complement the topic of setting up a modern office.