How Much Office Space Do I Need?

Office spaces are transforming to accommodate changing workforces and future growth. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid work in the U.S. has been on the rise. According to a recent Accenture report, 63 percent of high-growth companies have adopted a “productivity anywhere” hybrid work model. 

Changes in the workplace have forced many businesses to reevaluate how much space they actually need. Traditional methods of determining the appropriate amount of office space used a specific amount of square footage per person. Roam offers a more flexible solution to getting around this rigid methodology by taking multiple factors into account. 

Booking a coworking space or meeting room at Roam can provide you with all the space you need to perform at an optimal level. You may even realize you can get by with less space than you think. 

How Much Office Space Does Your Company Need? 

If you are planning on working in a new office space, there are several things you’ll need to consider outside of square foot per person. Review the following office space requirements to determine how much or little space you need for your growing business. 

Current Employee Headcount 

The biggest factor to consider when determining how much space you’ll need in a new office is employee headcount. Determine how many employees are in the office at one time and how much space each employee needs to do their job effectively. 

A high-density office layout will typically consist of an open space with several rows of small desks. Housing different teams within the same common area can help save money while encouraging employees to communicate and collaborate. 

Open office space plans generally consist of open cube or desk space which are often used among tech companies and similar industries. 

If you want to provide your workforce with more spacious accommodations, there are several private offices options depending on the number of employees and the type of work. This is often the type of setup you would see in a law firm. 

Required Equipment and Amenities

Aside from people, most office spaces house a variety of equipment. Ensure that the new office space you choose has enough usable square footage to accommodate furniture and other assets. 

Some of the most common equipment seen in office settings include desks, office chairs, computers, printers, scanners, filing cabinets, and bookcases. Some offices may need additional space for computer servers and other IT equipment. 

Working at Roam can be beneficial as members are provided with a range of amenities that can help them work in less space. Instead of having a dedicated server room, use Roam’s business-class Wi-Fi to stay connected. Other Roam amenities and workplace features include: 

• Onsite printing services 
• Full-service onsite coffee bar 
• Private, lockable space with round-the-clock access 
• Meeting and conference room rentals 
• Access to first come, first serve work environments 

• Free, unlimited access to all Roam workplaces 
• Roam Guest Access policy 

Ideal Floor Plan 

Having the right office floor plan can make all the difference. A flexible workspace that includes open areas where teams can collaborate, break areas where employees can reenergize, and the right amount of space for desks and other essentials can help foster creativity, boost productivity, and enhance morale. Some office design ideas include: 

• Open Office Design – Workstations are positioned in various configurations to create work zones. All staff sit together in an open space where discussions can flow freely. 

• Cellular Office Design – With this layout, the office is divided into individual spaces or cubicles. Each employee has a private space to create a focused work environment. 
• Co-Working Office Design – In a co-working office layout, employees are assigned designated workspaces based on their assigned job. Another option would be to allow your team to have first-come, first-serve access to the space. This type of floor plan is ideal for encouraging social interaction among staff. 
• Combination Office Design – Businesses that like both open and cellular floor plans can create a custom office layout that provides the best of both options, such as by using office furniture to create separations instead of cubicles. 

Future Growth 

Most companies grow over time as new employees join the time and the business purchases bigger and better assets and equipment. Moving to a new office that meets your growing space requirements can be costly; therefore, it’s important to plan ahead. 

When planning for future growth, consider how many employees you plan to hire within the next 12 to 24 months, as well as what type of staff you will be hiring, such as sales, executive, or administrative staff. 

Other Things to Consider 

Determining how much office space you need can be tricky, especially for businesses with many employees. To meet the specific needs of your current workforce while also anticipating your future needs, consider using a simple tool to estimate the amount of space you need. Square Foot offers a convenient office space calculator that makes it easy to find out how much space your company needs. 

Here are some other important things to consider: 

Must-Haves for an Office Space 

If you are working with minimum space, there are many things that you can eliminate from your office environment without affecting employee satisfaction. However, some things are considered a “must-have” for an office space, such as the following: 

• Spacious Desk – Provide employees with ample desk space that allows them enough surface space to work effectively. 
• Ergonomic Chair – Ergonomic office chairs are both comfortable and functional, a must-have for any office. 
• Storage Space – Many businesses struggle with clutter due to a lack of storage space.  Storage space helps businesses stay neat and organized. 
• Extra Seating – Whether you host private meetings or invite guests, you’ll need extra seating. Sofas and other furniture are often found in reception areas or other communal spaces. 

Types of Regular Meetings 

Another aspect to consider when determining the amount of office space that you need deals with meetings. What types of meetings does your team have on a day-to-day basis? If your team simply has brief status updates, you may not need as much space as a planning meeting that may require a facilitator and the use of equipment, such as a whiteboard or podium. 

Optimal Office Layouts 

There is no one-size-fits-all office layout for every business. It is important to consider the specific needs of your team and how best to design the office for peak productivity. 

Open office layouts are often recommended for smaller spaces and are a popular layout among modern companies. An open-concept design best emphasizes open spaces with large tables shared by multiple employees with chairs positioned along each side. 

Cluster office layouts can also be useful for employees who work in separate teams but still rely heavily on interactions, communication, and regular meetings. A cluster office layout saves space, supports group-based tasks, and fosters a smooth flow of communication among team members. 

Desk Sharing Opportunities 

Desk sharing has become a popular work arrangement in which a single workstation accommodates several employees. While adopting a desk-sharing policy can sometimes be tricky, the concept does offer key advantages. Desk-sharing results in better use of office space with lower utility costs. 

In addition, desk sharing can help boost company culture, encourage collaboration, and create more opportunities for flexible work arrangements, such as contractors, part-time employees, and remote workers. 

How to Plan for Growth 

Commercial leases are often long-term, meaning business leaders must consider their projected growth when choosing an office space. Based on your current and historic business growth, estimate how many employees you anticipate adding to your team over the life of your lease. 

In addition, you’ll want to consider what job roles these employees will have within the company. High-level employees often require more space while low-level employees may require less space. 

Find a Workspace Solution for Your Business 

Using an office space effectively can help foster growth, boost morale, and help employees be as productive as possible. At Roam, we offer businesses of all sizes a comprehensive work, meet, and office solution with locations in Atlanta, GA, and Dallas, TX. 

Roam offers flexible memberships, unlimited access to safe and professional workspaces, meeting room rentals, private office rentals, and a range of complimentary features and amenities. Book a room at Roam today or contact us to learn more!