Flexibility is Key When Designing the Ultimate Office Space

Flexibility is Key When Designing the Ultimate Office Space

Muscatine, Iowa… November, 2008 — If a person’s home is their castle, then what exactly is their office? Their home away from home?
 
According to workplace statistics, that’s pretty much the case. Americans spend an average of 52 hours a week at their desks*, so it’s no surprise that 83 percent of workers say they want the flexibility to personalize this space.

That’s what more than 400 U.S. office workers told The HON Company, a leading designer and manufacturer of office furniture, in a recent research study.  HON surveyed American workers to determine their personal workspace design preferences.  Eighty-three percent of respondents cited flexibility as a must – saying they wanted a desk that allowed them to personalize their active work zone to maximize comfort for their working style.

“Obviously, workers shouldn’t forsake a professional image in favor of personalization, but they do spend a great deal of their lives in their workspace – so it’s no wonder they want to add a bit of themselves to it,” notes Fred Colony, vice president of casegoods, seating and tables at The HON Company. “The two concepts can comfortably coexist in the modern workplace – all it takes is a bit of organization, the right products and thoughtful design.”

Cut Through the Clutter

There’s no excuse for a messy desk, and worse, it hinders productivity. So, to create a more productive and enjoyable home away from home, start by removing clutter and organizing your existing office. Fortunately, today’s office furniture is designed to streamline the workspace, flexibly and efficiently.  New products from HON, in particular, make it easier than ever to cut through office clutter.  The first objective:  better storage.

“Today’s workers want to have everything neatly organized, but also within view…and within reach. They want easy access to their paper files and PDAs, as well as their must-have personal items, such as MP3 players, photographs or even gym clothes.  They want furniture that supports their work style and boosts their productivity in flexible ways,” said Colony.

Unique features in HON’s new desks – Announce and Attune include innovations such as a “hidden” pullout workspace which conveniently slides out for impromptu meetings and tucks away when not in use; or a side-access pedestal which allows users to keep frequently-used items within an arm’s length, but out of site and provides a real ‘home’ for such office items as three-ring binders, manuals, jump drives and CDs, as well as personal items.

But that’s not all – just like people are left- or right-handed, workers also have preferences as to which side of their desk their computer sits.  An articulating monitor rail system on HON’s new Announce desk lets you easily reposition your computer monitor depending on your preference or collaborative needs.  The user can move flat-screen monitors from one side of the desk surface to another, creating active work zones around the desk.

Beyond furniture, a few other office organizational tips include:

•    Once a year, perform a thorough clean-up of your area and discard anything that has not been viewed in the last year.
•    With the remaining items, find the right organizational system for your needs – whether that’s filing in folders, bins or even stackable boxes. 
•    And remember the four basic things you can do with any given item, according to lifeorganizers.com:

     o    Handle It
     o    File It
     o    Delegate It
     o    Get Rid Of It

Get Personal

Once your office space is organized, personal items can serve as the proverbial icing on the cake – the perfect enhancement for a comfortable workspace.

Keep these few tips in mind, and soon you’ll have an office that subtly reflects your personal vibe without compromising your professionalism:

•    HON research reveals that framed photographs are the number one personal item employees keep at their desks.  Display a few photos of your loved ones, because looking at them will make you smile during the day. 
•    Bring in a few items from a treasured collection. Sharing your favorite things gives a peek into your off-hours interests and your personality.
•    Consider adding a potted plant, fresh flowers…or even a tasteful silk arrangement.
•    Plug in a small radio or MP3 player speaker system, if permitted. Just remember to be respectful of your neighbors and keep the volume down.  HON’s Attune and Announce desks offer special grommets and wire management features to keep power cords and audio connections organized and out of sight.

Today’s offices need to be flexible in order to keep pace with modern workstyles. A workspace that is well organized, clutter-free and thoughtfully decorated, with a bit of your own personality showing through, will greatly boost your productivity. What’s more, it also can lift your mood and make the time you spend in your “home away from home” much more comfortable and enjoyable.

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