Thinking of moving your company into a new office? Or merely want a hassle-free, dream design for your current office space? I’m Ula Burgiel – an office interior designer based in London specialising in modern and minimal office spaces. I create modern and extraordinary offices that inspire, look great and are comfortable to work in. In this post I’ll tell you about the elements of office design, why it’s important to work with a good commercial interior designer and a bit about the office interior design cost.
I love to bring the “WOW” factor into my designs. My main inspirations come from architecture, newest design trends and culture. I have the added advantage of years of experience being a full-time employee at offices ranging from small to large companies. Therefore I know the day-to-day office life and what can make employers, employees and clients satisfied.
Office Interior Design as Unique as Your Brand
You and your brand are unique. Moreover, you’ve no doubt spent so much effort building it. So then an office space shows the company culture and your way of thinking. Why have a standard office?
As an office interior designer I understand how important it is that your office stands out. Imagine a new client walking into the office and seeing this unique, extraordinary space that looks more like a boutique amazing hotel than an ordinary office. First impressions last.
It may even help you secure that all important business deal…
Importance of Office Interior Design – Impress Your Clients
An office which looks more like a quirky boutique hotel has higher chances of impressing your potential clients. Why? Because your unique design will be creative modern and up to date. Definitely better than a mass of cheap desks and boxed spaces where employees look and feel squashed in.
There are two main reasons why good office interior design really matters. Both of them have equal importance and can really benefit your business. The first reason is to make employees comfortable and happy at the workplace. With a great office you’ll have a much bigger chance of attracting greater talent. Nowadays employees are more and more aware of their worth and won’t necessarily settle for a mediocre office.
The second reason is to impress. Once upon a time it was all about the size of the office, location and number of employees. Nowadays, it’s more about the design, unusual look and whether the employees look comfortable at their job. Working with a creative office interior designer will always make the difference.
Modern Office Space Designers are Inspired by Company Culture
Your new modern office should reflect your company’s culture. A good office interior designer will spend time researching the ways you and your team work. This will be creatively reflected in the office layout and design.
A space divided into a lot of different areas is usually the way to go. Perception of an office has certainly changed after the explosion of new offices designed in an “alternative” way. The famous Google offices show that employees can work any place comfortable. Such as sitting on beanbags and outside in the green grassy areas. Above all, this alternative design can have a positive impact on your employees.
That’s why modern interior designers create offices and commercial spaces that are inspired by great leaders and the best company cultures out there.
Office Interior Design in London is Changing
I’m seeing how much offices are changing, especially in London where I live. Primarily it’s because the way we work is changing. As we spend a lot of time at work we want to make the most out of it. That’s why employees want to work in a place that is comfortable and feels less formal. A place where they can relax and feel less pressured.
For instance, people prefer informal spaces that look more like a small cafe round the corner than a corporate formal office.
Worth noting, your office will still have professional look when done right. An office interior designer like me will make sure your office space will look impressive but in a modern and more sophisticated way.
My Inspiration Came from my Student Years
As spaces now are becoming; more and more casual, flexible and friendly, I’m reminded of my student years.
When I was a student looking for jobs, I was extremely scared of interviews. Half of the reason was the uncomfortable office environments. That’s why, together with my friends, I decided to design a piece of furniture that would allow any candidate to de-stress before any interview. We came up with the concept of a suspended cloud-like form sofa. This was designed to hang from the ceiling, which would allow you to swing casually. The idea was that you transported back to the your care free childhood to help with relaxing.
Even though initially no one believed it would work in formal offices, the idea took off and you can still buy it today. This was my first step in becoming a commercial office interior designer.
You can see a version of this design in Shoreditch in London at one of the office showrooms.
Some Instagram shots of our Bouli sofas found in office spaces:
Office Interior Design Cost
A new office is a big investment and obviously it’s good to be aware of the costs. A good commercial interior designer together with a contractor can show you where to spend and where to save. Office interior design costs to be aware of include:
- redecorating, building costs and materials
- furniture, fittings and equipment
- bespoke joinery
- moving costs
- consultant fees, e.g. interior designer, architects, structural engineers, lighting consultants, procurement agents etc.
Other costs:
- property research, legal costs, advisors (e.g. surveyors, solicitors)
- hidden costs, that not a lot of people realise
Office interior design costs can be quite high at the beginning. As mentioned previously, investing in good planning and a good design can improve the productivity of your team. Also, as office rentals in London (for e.g.) are expensive, you’ll want value for money. Ergo, a well designed modern office will be money well spent.
What Office Zones do you Need?
Even though every office is different, people will still have similar needs. These include:
Employees’ Desk Space
Usually the biggest consumer of office space, right? However, this doesn’t have to be the old school rows of desks. It can be designed in a way that makes people happier and more productive as a result of creative positioning. Anything’s possible when your employees are more engaged.
From my experience as a full-time employee I know that one’s own space is very important. Your own oasis in an office where you can put your notes up and display pictures of your family etc. You should therefore entertain the notion of your employees customising their work station. Furthermore, a good design can make it easier to keep the overall area tidy and free from obstruction.
Meeting Rooms
Sounds very formal but they don’t have to be. There’s a lot of ways to make a meeting room impressive, casual and different. For instance, there’s an office in London with meeting rooms looking like train compartments!
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the busiest areas in your office. Especially in the mornings and lunchtime! Should the office kitchen be hidden or open for everyone to see? In my experience as an office interior designer in London, a mix of these two is the best solution. Divide a kitchen into two for example. You can hide the lunchtime mess in a smaller enclosed kitchen but have an open “clean” kitchen for everyone else to see. In the open kitchen you can make a coffee for a client and start a more casual conversation. Also with a nice informal space to sit down, your office will look more domesticated and friendly.
Chill Out Area
A chill out area is often forgotten or omitted as the employers would rather put more desks there instead. From the employee’s perspective it’s useful to have an alternative to your desk for chilling out during your lunch-break. Imagine being forced to spend you lunch-break at your desk because it’s raining outside and someone is constantly interrupting you with work related questions. Not great!
Entrance and Reception
This should be the first place where your client says “WOW!”. They should feel like the office tells the story of your brand. That’s what I like the most about my work: the experimentation, the different projects and helping you get the results you want. Also, as I’m a commercial interior designer I love designing quirky modern workspaces that have the industrial minimal feel.
Summary – Office Interior Designer London
Moving into a new office can be a challenge for everyone but a good office interior designer can help ease the transition. A great office that employers, employees and clients love is a great asset. A modern office should feel impressive, not too formal and most of all – tell the story of your amazing brand.
If you need my help with designing your new office – get your free proposal.
