Modern Office Design Ideas for Small Spaces

The word office comes from the Latin officium, meaning the performance of a task. Clearly, from their very origins, offices have been defined by what we do in them. That’s why workplace interiors don’t just need to look good, but help us perform our tasks better. And, with more and more of us choosing a hybrid working relationship, or even working entirely from home, the office needs to shift and adapt to the new normal, and accommodate our changing needs.

From Frederick Taylor’s factory-style workplaces to the more organic 1960s trend for Bürolandschaft or ‘office landscape’, different theories of how we work best have driven the evolution of office design. Whether you’re creating a personal work station at home or renovating the office of your small business, good interior design has the power to maximise space, craft a welcoming atmosphere, and forge a distinct company culture.

NORclad is a timber cladding supplier and manufacturer based in Bristol with over 40 years’ experience. We’re passionate about helping more and more people realise the functional, environmental, and design potential of working with timber – for commercial premises and homes alike.

In this blog, we provide some office interior design inspiration to help you create the perfect small office.

How To Design a Small Office Interior – 7 Ideas

Choose Biophilic Design

Humans have an innate desire to be close to nature – at least, that’s the theory behind biophilic design. This design trend is all about bringing the natural world into our interiors in order to boost health, happiness and wellbeing. In the workplace – personal or business – this will inevitably have huge implications when it comes to performance.

There are various ways to incorporate natural elements in your space. The most obvious one is to have plenty of plants either in standing or hanging pots or even terrariums. Another idea could be to incorporate materials such as timber or stone to evoke the natural environment. Timber has been shown to have a significant impact on health through reducing stress and anxiety, making it a worthwhile addition to any workplace!

Maximise Natural Light

Even the most aesthetically pleasing decor can’t make up for a lack of natural light. Maximising the amount of light entering the space will make it feel brighter and bigger, and may even improve productivity. Many studies such as this one have linked increased natural light exposure to better performance at work. So, whether we’re talking about a home study or the office of your small business, working with natural light can make or break the design.

Think about installing large windows if planning will allow it, and use glass divides internally if there is the space and need for distinct areas. If you’re worried about the space overheating in the summer, sun shades or brise soleil can help ease the intensity whilst ensuring plenty of light still enters your office.

Engage with Minimalism

A minimalist aesthetic can work well in a small space. Neutral tones, space-saving furniture, and simple patterns can all help to enhance your space and prevent it from feeling too cramped. Think about storage carefully and try and make it easy to keep clutter to a minimum – whether it’s a home office or a commercial one.

It’s also important to toe the line between simple and austere. People work best when they feel comfortable, so a space that is entirely minimalistic, cold and featureless may not be conducive to optimum creativity and focus. A solution could be incorporating warmer, earthy hues on the walls, soft furnishings like rugs and cushions, or different textures like timber to break it up.

Think Through Furniture & Storage

Of course, choosing the right furniture is essential to any office design. Most of us spend a large proportion of our lives sat at a desk looking at a screen. That’s why thinking through the ergonomics of your small office is key to health and wellbeing – and also productivity.

When it comes to offices, the desk is rightly the first thing that comes to mind. Maybe you’re looking for a sleek, modern, glass table for your home office, or maybe you want to find large collaborative work desks for your small business’ premises. Whatever style of desk appeals to you, it is likely to be a central and defining feature of the space.

Ergonomics is all about adapting your workplace to suit human anatomy and physiology, and humans aren’t designed to sit for long periods of time. A great solution could therefore be offering standing desks. Not only will this improve health and decrease fatigue, but it will also save on space!

Finally, your small office could easily become messy and cluttered without the right storage – but enormous filing cabinets and cupboards will quickly start to dominate. Instead, opt for smart space-saving solutions that blend with the walls and don’t overpower the room.

Office Building Design – Tips and Ideas for Architects >

Create a Feature Wall

A feature wall can make a small office feel more creative and interesting, without being too much. This effect could be achieved using patterned wallpaper, bright paint colours, or a collage of art and photographs.

Timber cladding is another inexpensive way to create a feature wall that will subtly boost your office’s aesthetic without being too overwhelming. With a variety of species and profiles available, you can craft your wall exactly how you want it, choosing from vertical, horizontal and even diagonal fixing.

Incorporate Pops of Colour

An important part of office interior design is providing spatial legibility. Bright colourful accents can help you demarcate certain areas and shape the environment without having to install cubicles, pods, or other elements that can make a small space seem even smaller.

Of course, if you’re designing a home working oasis, this isn’t as much of an issue. However, colourful details can make your personal study feel more attractive and inspiring too. From painting the walls an exciting colour to choosing bold cushions and even buying some bright art to hang above your desk, adding colour to the space will make working in it much more inviting! Just remember to avoid dark colours, as these can make it feel smaller and more cramped.

Use Timber

Our final idea is, of course, timber. Incorporating timber cladding into your office design is an easy way to cultivate a warm, welcoming environment and create a unique company identity. Not only is timber aesthetically pleasing and distinctive, but it also provides great sound insulation. This has the potential to boost the aural comfort of any interior space, minimising distractions and making it easier to concentrate.

Timber Cladding for Office Interiors

Big dreams for your small space? Whether you’re looking to carve out a productive area for yourself at home, or redesigning your small business’ office, we have an interior design solution for you. Whatever your budget and ambition, timber cladding can make a real aesthetic impact, and even improve user health, mood and productivity.

Talk to our team about your project today!