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Ways to Determine the Right Office Space Size for Your Business

Jamie Florio • Aug 18, 2022


Do you have a clear understanding of how much space you actually require if you're considering renting an office for your company? Do you know how to calculate how much space you require? Before you sign the lease, you must provide a solid response to these crucial questions. A firm may incur costs due to an excessive amount of space. On the other hand, if the area is too small, you and your staff may feel crowded and confined, which lowers productivity. In the end, finding a balance might be challenging, but getting the right amount of office space to fit all employees without causing chaos is essential. To help you out, we compiled a list of some ways you can determine the right office space size for your business.


What is the typical office square footage per employee?


A general rule of thumb is that each employee should have around a 10 by 10-foot space to themselves. You should follow this rule in your workplace to promote a comfortable working atmosphere for everyone there. Moreover, to lessen the chance of individuals encroaching on each other's space if employees are compelled to share a workstation, it is advised that no more than two persons occupy a 150-square-foot space. Finally, remember that every employee is unique. While some might feel more at ease working from home, others could be more productive in a team environment. This is also important to consider when you're planning your office.


What is the size of an average office space?


The norm for office space sizes varies yearly and depends on the work culture. The number of staff members you have and the quantity of space you have at your disposal are truly the deciding factors. The typical office space has varied widely over the last few years, from 200–250 square feet per person to 100–150 square feet per person. Everything depends on what your staff requires and the industry you're in. Moreover, this also changed in the past few years due to the pandemic, the worry people might infect each other in the office, as well as the increased popularity of working from home.


Consider the layout


While it's useful to consider both the number of employees when estimating how much office space you'll need, this formula cannot be used universally. This is because you also need to think about the layout of your company. For instance, if your company is a legal firm, you'll probably need a lot of private offices with room for equipment like file cabinets to hold records. 

On the other side, a young tech start-up usually goes with an open-plan design. Given that a lot of important information may be kept on a company-wide cloud platform, this kind of firm might not require as much storage space. 

It's best to figure out a desirable layout for your office before looking at listings online or hiring a real estate agent to help you out. This way, you'll be ruling out offices from the start, which will save you time and help you find the perfect office more quickly. Then, once you sign the papers for the new office and are ready to move, you can use recommendations for professional movers from bestmovers.nyc experts to find and hire all the help you'll need for the move.


Square footage for additional rooms


After you've figured out the layout and square footage you need in the bullpen, you should start thinking of other necessary rooms and spaces inside an office. This might contain facilities for kitchens and gathering areas. Here is a general overview of the suggested space allotment for:

  • Meeting room: If you're often meeting clients in person or parts of your team have daily stand-ups, you'll absolutely need this. Consider a meeting space of 150 square feet to accommodate 4 to 8 individuals.
  • Conference room: In case you need to host a bigger meeting, you'll need a conference room that can fit more of your employees. Generally, 300 square feet is the suggested size for a conference room.
  • Kitchen: There is plenty of area in the kitchen's 100–300 square feet for many people to use the space simultaneously.
  • Private offices: These typically range in size from 150 to 300 square feet.

Include shared areas when estimating the space your company will need. These include the greeting room, workgroup spaces, and more. These are very important and play a significant role in establishing and building a team out of your employees. Also, don't forget to include room for storage, files, and other things.


Making sure there is room to grow


The next step in your quest to determine the right office space size for your business is to confirm if there is room for your business to expand. If you're thinking of expanding soon, you'll need extra space, so you don't have to move again. If, however, you anticipate slower business growth, you'll need to estimate the number of new hires you'll need to make each year. Take this into consideration along with any potential employee departures.

In case you need to conduct a commercial move from an old NYC office into a new, bigger one, you should be able to find reputable help in the city. Looking for professional movers is a much better option than making your employees do all the work, which can affect their motivation and productivity. However, if you hire movers to take care of it, you'll be able to shift to the new office space almost seamlessly without losing out on any work.


Final thoughts



There are a few other things to think about if you want to determine the right office space size for your business. Consider the workplace space's shape, for example. Will it meet your needs even if it has the right amount of square footage? Some workplaces may have irregularly shaped floor plans, meaning some space is unusable. You should also make sure the location is appropriate for your company. Is it situated in a community with nearby facilities like dining, shopping, and more? Are there any nearby lodgings for guests? Also, is the office at a convenient, central location? When selecting the ideal office space for your business, you should consider all of these factors.


By Jamie Florio 02 May, 2024
Portable Office Essentials for Working on the Go If you want to maintain your work efficiency anywhere, portable office essentials for working on the go are required! These compact yet powerful tools are designed to keep you efficient and organized, whether traveling for business or working remotely from a coffee shop. From lightweight laptops to noise-canceling headphones, there are plenty of things to pick up! Choosing the right bag Bags are one of the most important portable office essentials for working on the go. They are the cornerstone of your mobile workspace, accommodating all your essential tools and gear while offering convenience and comfort. Here’s what to look for: Versatility stands out as a primary consideration, so look for a bag that seamlessly transitions between various environments and occasions, be it a bustling airport terminal or a crowded coffee shop. Ample storage space and organizational features are non-negotiables since they ensure your laptop, tablet, documents, and peripherals can be neatly stowed away and easily accessed when needed. Durability is another critical factor, as your bag must withstand the wear and tear of daily commutes and frequent travel. Robust materials, reinforced stitching, and quality construction contribute to a bag's longevity and reliability. Comfort plays a role, too, particularly if you anticipate long hours of wear. Lightweight laptop or tablet Opting for a lightweight laptop or tablet is great for maximizing productivity on the go, allowing you to take full advantage of virtual offices . These portable devices offer flexibility and convenience, enabling seamless transitions between different work environments. Whether catching up on emails during your commute or participating in virtual meetings from a coffee shop, a lightweight laptop or tablet provides the versatility to stay connected and productive. With long battery life and powerful processing capabilities, these devices empower you to tackle tasks efficiently and effectively, no matter where you are. Besides, their compact size makes them easy to carry around, enhancing your mobility and flexibility. Portable chargers and power banks Portable chargers and power banks are indispensable accessories for modern professionals on the move, providing uninterrupted productivity wherever you go. These compact devices provide a reliable power source for your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. With them, you never have to worry about running out of battery during crucial moments! With fast-charging capabilities and high-capacity batteries, portable chargers and power banks offer quick and efficient charging solutions. Finally, their lightweight and portable design makes them easy to carry in your bag or pocket, making them ideal companions for travel, outdoor adventures, or simply navigating a busy day. Wireless mouse and keyboard Wireless mouse and keyboard setups offer convenience and flexibility for remote workers and digital nomads alike. With no cables to tether you to your device, you can enjoy freedom of movement and decluttered workspaces. These ergonomic peripherals also provide a comfortable typing and navigation experience, reducing strain on your wrists and fingers. Besides being compatible with various devices and easily connected via Bluetooth or USB receivers, wireless mice and keyboards seamlessly integrate into workflow, allowing seamless transitions between tasks! Noise-canceling headphones With advanced technology that actively reduces ambient noise, noise-canceling headphones create a serene and immersive listening experience, allowing you to concentrate on your tasks without interruption. Whether working in a bustling office, noisy cafe, or on a crowded plane, noise-canceling headphones provide a sanctuary of tranquility, enabling you to escape into your work with clarity and precision. Likewise, many models offer superior sound quality, delivering crisp audio and deep bass for an enjoyable listening experience. Of course, comfort is also key, with soft padding and adjustable headbands guaranteeing long-term wearability without discomfort. Portable Wi-Fi hotspot With a portable hotspot, you can avoid the stress of hunting down a solid internet connection! This way, you can maintain seamless productivity no matter your location. These compact devices also create a secure Wi-Fi network you can connect to with your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. That can be particularly valuable if you’re handling important documents and don’t want to take risks! Multiport USB hub A multiport USB hub is a must-have accessory for expanding your device connectivity options and simplifying your portable office setup. You can connect devices like external hard drives, flash drives, and peripherals like mice and keyboards with USB ports. This versatile hub eliminates the need for constantly swapping cables and allows you to keep all your devices connected simultaneously! Naturally, this will eliminate hassle and boost your productivity and efficiency. Travel-friendly desk accessories Travel-friendly desk accessories are great for enhancing your portable office setup and improving your workspace efficiency. These compact and versatile accessories include cable organizers, laptop stands, and portable desk lamps. Obviously, they’re all designed to optimize your workspace for productivity on the go! Cable organizers keep your cables neatly organized and tangle-free, preventing clutter and confusion. A portable laptop stand provides ergonomic support, reducing strain on your neck and shoulders during long work sessions. Meanwhile, a portable desk lamp offers adjustable lighting options, providing optimal visibility and reducing eye strain in any environment. So, equip yourself with these essential accessories and take your portable office setup to the next level! Cloud storage solutions With cloud storage, you can easily access your files from any device with an internet connection! These platforms also offer robust security features to protect your data from unauthorized access, including encryption and multi-factor authentication. Similarly, cloud storage solutions provide seamless collaboration capabilities, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. They even track changes in real time! Lastly, with scalable storage options and flexible pricing plans, you can customize your cloud storage solution to meet your budget. Portable scanner or scanner app  A portable scanner or scanner app is incredibly useful for digitizing documents and streamlining your workflow on the go. These handy tools allow you to quickly and easily scan documents, receipts, and business cards. With a scanner app, you can transform your phone into a powerful scanning tool, eliminating the need for bulky equipment. Of course, specialized scanners offer additional features such as automatic document feeding and high-resolution scanning capabilities, improving scan quality and accuracy. Still, whether you're digitizing important paperwork while traveling or capturing meeting notes on the fly, a portable scanner or scanner app provides the flexibility and convenience you need to stay organized and productive! Flexible storage solutions If you’re constantly on the move and change locations every few months, you need flexible storage solutions. After all, you can’t carry too much with you by plane or train. In this case, working with PortaBox Storage Seattle is a great idea. This moving and storage company can deliver a portable storage unit at your current location and then hold on to it for you until you reach your destination. Finally, they ship the unit to your new location. How convenient is that? Taking advantage of portable office essentials for working on the go With our list of portable office essentials for working on the go, you can improve your daily life. By equipping yourself with tools like compact laptops, noise-canceling headphones, and portable chargers, you'll be well-prepared to tackle tasks from anywhere! Whether you're a digital nomad or a remote worker, these essentials ensure will help you stay productive and efficient no matter where your adventures take you!
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