New and innovative ideas have become a necessity for almost every office since its décor can greatly affect the efficiency of the employees. In addition, it can promote collaboration on certain tasks that require teamwork. There may be a need for more space for the staff to be more comfortable, which can easily be found by redesigning an area that was used for the storage or has simply been idle and unproductive for a long time. The following are some great ideas on how to turn that stuffy old area into a space that promotes the efficiency and productivity of each employee.

Workspace Determinations

The first thing that should be done is to determine how the company functions and the activities of the staff. In doing this, it can be determined how employees spend their days. For example, if the business is set up with large, individual offices but most of the time there are very few employees actually working in those offices, the space is unproductive as a whole. These unused spaces can be transformed and developed into small, yet comfortable shared rooms that are fully equipped with everything needed to be used by any employee at any given time.

An office area can be made more flexible for those who use it by redesigning the space and creating more open spaces. Open-plan work spaces, along with other changes to the area, can actually save money. These changes may include: shutting down certain sections of the floors that are not needed; moving workers closer together; getting rid of walls; and getting rid of individual cubicles.

Besides saving money, downsizing the overall workplace area offers many other benefits to a company, such as closer employee interaction to share ideas and be more productive. Increasing the work energy of employees may increase company loyalty. In addition, individual offices and desktop computers can be eliminated and replaced with "jump-in" rooms for phone calls and other private conversations.

A Smooth Transition

Redesigning an office space may be one of the biggest changes for a company to make and the transition may not be easy. Before making that office transformation, a variety of things need to be considered. The following are some of these factors.

• Reason for Change - There needs to be a reason for an office redesign. Employees need to understand that the reason for such a move is to increase the company's overall productivity and profitability. Once the reason is understood, employees will not feel stressed or resentful. This whole workplace modification can actually build loyalty and help promote a positive anticipation to the coming changes. Communicating these reasons will also help to dispel any rumors that might be circulating around the office.

• Promote Change From the Top - Business owners should consider several new designs and have them tested as a pilot program. Any transformation should also be promoted from the top as employees will tend to complain less if it is seen that the CEO is experiencing these same work disruptions. Keep an open mind about the changes. If possible, be willing to take a few risks by allowing employees to work from home or some other location if it is productive for the company.

• Determine Work Habits - It is important to determine each employee’s work habits. Some will be more productive when able to interact with others, while some will be more productive and efficient when they are in a quiet place and able to function alone.

Expectations about change should always be realistic. These new designs are not the solution to all office problems; however, they are a great tool for increasing the motivation of individual workers to be more productive and to be willing to help increase the company’s profitability. Considering all of this - redesign that stuffy old office!