Office Design That Suits The Way You Work
As businesses strive to make their offices more efficient, functional, and inviting, many are turning to smart spaces with a focus on smaller footprints. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean sacrificing style and comfort. Small commercial office fitouts in Melbourne are showing just how much impact you can have in a limited space.
Whether you’re looking to update your office fitout or dreaming up a brand new one, forget about space constraints and focus on an office design that suits your business needs and the way you work. Let’s look at the top trends inspiring small fitouts in Melbourne and then explore three small offices that show just how big an impact you can make – even in a limited area.
Top Small Office Fitout Trends
Trends change quickly, but there are a few that stand out for small office fitouts. These include:
Telling a brand story with design
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a small startup or a corporate giant; your office space should reflect who you are as a business. After all, it’s the first thing people see when they come to visit or for an interview, and it can make a lasting impression on them.
Every brand has a story to tell, and a well-crafted office design can be your exclamation point. Think about an overarching theme that reflects your values, mission, and goals, and then think about the visual aesthetic that could best bring that theme to life.
From furniture to decor, lighting, wall art or anything else – you can use design elements to bring your story to life and create the perfect atmosphere for your business.
This is a trend that we’re seeing more and more of in the business world, and it’s one that can pay off with a lasting first impression.
Biophilic design & natural elements – wood and plants
Among the trends that came post-COVID-19 (and never left) is a growing focus on bringing the outdoors in with natural elements like wood and plants. This is known as biophilic design, and it’s all about creating a sense of connection with nature. Yes, even in the office.
There are a couple of different ways you can achieve this. You might use live plants, indoor plants, living walls, green walls, or green roofs for a lush and inviting atmosphere. Or, you can bring in natural materials like timber or stone to create a warm and calming environment.
To go the extra mile and really enhance the space, you can opt for artwork that reflects the beauty of nature, like landscapes or images of animals. You could also place a few water features around, such as a simple tabletop fountain or a feature wall filled with cascading water.
Biophilic design isn’t just pleasing to look at; it has been proven to positively affect mental wellbeing and productivity. So, if you want to create an environment that encourages creativity and relaxation, then biophilic design is definitely worth considering.
Maximising space with multifunctional furniture
Since small spaces tend to be the norm in an office, it’s essential to maximise space with multifunctional furniture. This can include things like convertible desks and storage solutions that double as seating. Investing in furniture with multiple uses is a great way to save space and ensure maximum productivity while keeping employees comfortable.
The best part is that multifunctional furniture pieces tend to be ergonomic and active, so they provide the perfect combination of comfort and support. For instance, adjustable desks can be used for both sitting and standing, while convertible chairs can easily transition from being a seat to a stepping stool or even a mini workstation.
And at the same time, these pieces allow for plenty of movement and exercise throughout the day. By encouraging employees to stand up, stretch, move around, and even do a few simple exercises on their break, you can ensure that everyone stays healthy and energised all day long.
Focus on lighting – natural and feature
Another growing trend relates to lighting. The amount and quality of light in the workplace can majorly impact employee productivity, satisfaction and wellbeing. That’s why it’s becoming increasingly popular to make use of natural light when designing an office. Natural light has been proven to reduce stress, decrease fatigue and improve overall morale.
In addition to natural lighting, many offices are incorporating feature lighting for a unique and more visually stimulating working environment. For instance, you may incorporate LED strips or neon signs into the design. Feature lighting can give a space an edge, making it more stylish and inviting while also reducing eye strain.
Finally, flexible lighting systems and colour temperature control can help to create a more comfortable workplace. This allows you to adjust the colour temperature of the light depending on what tasks are being undertaken and can ensure that employees stay at optimal productivity levels throughout the day.
Acoustic comfort
Ending on a quieter note, acoustic comfort is another important factor. Noise levels can be a significant distraction and negatively impact productivity, boosting the need for companies to find reduction methods or add sound-mask technology as required. This is especially important for open office floor plans, where sound quickly becomes overwhelming and can easily interfere with work.
Among the popular solutions to reduce noise is adding acoustic panels and sound-absorbing ceiling tiles, incorporating acoustic-friendly materials like carpeting or cork flooring, or installing wall coverings, furnishings and lighting that are designed with acoustics in mind. That way, sound reflections are minimised, and employees can communicate more clearly and effectively.
Focusing on acoustics is a detail that shouldn’t be overlooked. For so long, it was assumed that soundproofing and acoustic design were solely within the realm of music recording studios, but modern-day businesses have realised the value of good acoustics. It can have a substantial positive impact on employee wellbeing and productivity, helping create an overall better work environment for everyone.
3 Small but Mighty Inspiring Small Office Spaces We Choose to Highlight
Now, let’s look at 3 case studies that we’ve chosen to highlight as part of our commercial office fitout Melbourne services, which demonstrate how the right office furniture and design can create a productive and inspiring workspace. We worked hand-in-hand with each of these companies to ensure that their office redesigns were just right.
1) Syntro Health, Richmond
Syntro Health, a management and consulting firm in the global pharmaceutical and healthcare industry were moving into a new 240 sqm space in Richmond. Bowen Interiors had worked with Syntro Health on a previous fitout and was delighted to be invited back in to help create their new office space.
As Syntro Health had experienced significant growth they were looking to fitout a space that not only comfortably catered to their growing team, but also had a mix of office and open plan work areas, as well as requiring an impressive executive boardroom space for client meetings and presentations.
Going beyond their spatial needs, the client wished to create spaces that balanced productivity and functionality with a sense of spaciousness and serenity – all within a relatively small footprint.
Through the clever use of abundant natural light, wooden accents and curved dividers we created a warm and pleasant atmosphere that encourages staff collaboration and is an impressive physical representation of the Syntro Health brand for visitors.
2. Seesaw Studio, North Melbourne
From a concrete office shell into a funky studio space? Yes, please! With just 240 sqm available on hand, this design studio needed a meeting room, an open-plan workspace, and custom storage. Of course, balancing an industrial aesthetic with modern functionality posed a unique challenge, but we made it happen.
To address the acoustic needs of the space, we integrated aesthetically pleasing systems that reduced noise transfer while maintaining the studio’s retro charm. Following that, we designed and constructed a spacious meeting room and open-plan workstations and office desks, incorporating acoustic materials into the workstation screens.
As for the storage requirements, they called for robustness, a touch of industrial flair, and a corporate studio aesthetic. To address that, we collaborated with interior designers to deliver an industrial storage system with full-height timber doors that exuded architectural style.
The result is an inspiring office renovation showcasing Seesaw Studio’s creative prowess and capturing its brand’s essence. With its funky “studio” design, the space not only attracts clients but also leaves a lasting impression, reflecting Seesaw’s ability to cater to its clients’ unique needs.
3. KHQ Lawyers, Melbourne CBD
Last but not least, KHQ Lawyers, nestled in the vibrant Melbourne CBD, embarked on an extraordinary mission to adjoin a new office tenancy with their existing one.
Their goal was clear: to create a functional and enchanting haven that would embody their brand essence – all in 200 sqm. The challenge was to strike a delicate balance between spaciousness and optimising every nook and cranny to maximise efficiency.
Undeterred by the limited area, our professional team wove their magic, skillfully integrating private offices, open-plan workspaces, office partitions, meeting rooms, and inviting breakout areas. With meticulous attention to detail, we curated a concept that met KHQ’s spatial requirements and breathed life into the office with a symphony of colour coordination and purposeful furniture and joinery—no overcrowded spaces.
The final result? An awe-inspiring transformation that defies the conventional legal atmosphere. Step inside, and you’re greeted by a sanctuary that emanates brightness, cleanliness, and a palpable sense of professionalism.
KHQ Lawyers now unveils a space that’s unmistakably theirs—a captivating haven that speaks their language, embodies their identity, and leaves a lasting impression on all who enters it.
Choose Us for the Best Office Designs Melbourne Has to Offer!
As you see, gone are the days of generic office fit outs for small businesses. Custom commercial fitouts are here, and we’re proud to be leading the way. Whether your office space in Melbourne needs a complete overhaul or just a few subtle tweaks, our team of experts will work with you to create an environment that encapsulates your organisation’s culture and message.
The size of your office space is no issue; as long as you have a vision, we can help bring it to life and handle all the project management.
It’s time to see what end-to-end commercial office fitout services for Melbourne businesses can do for you. Our collaborative approach may just be the missing piece of the puzzle to ensure that your office space gives off the right first impression and allows for a productive working environment at all times.
Take the first step towards creating a purposeful, productive workplace environment and let our experienced team of professionals help you leverage every square foot of your space.
Reach out to us to set up your commercial space for success.
