REDESIGNING OFFICE SPACE DURING COVID-19

Jun 10, 2022 | Design, Health & Safety, Workplace

There’s no doubt that we are living in a new normal where precautions must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s no surprise that those safety perimeters are taken seriously when considering a redesign for your office workspace.

CONSIDERING SPACE UTILIZATION FOR INTERIOR DESIGN

Open floor plans are a popular choice for business owners when considering interior design options. And despite the pandemic, this trending design isn’t going anywhere. Open floor plans are much easier to utilize, sanitize, and clean than traditional plans, making it an ideal office layout during these uncertain times.

Research shows that proper ventilation is crucial for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens. Implementing an open floor plan into your redesign that allows for windows to open for ventilation could prevent virus exposure.

YOUR REDESIGNED OFFICE WORKSPACE: DIVIDING SHARED SPACE

While an open floor plan that emphasizes shared space helps prevent pathogen office circulation, employees may feel they are not socially distanced enough from their coworkers. Consider adding elements to your redesign that makes employees feel secure in their personal space.

Element designs for dividing shared space include:

  • Room dividers
  • Counter shields
  • Mounting screens

SMALLER CONFERENCE ROOMS

While small space isn’t an ideal redesign option when the new normal is to spread out as much as possible, smaller conference rooms can still be utilized as long as a strict two-person minimum policy is enforced. Since some employees at your business may be working from home, you can have two people working in a small space, such as a conference room, keeping a social distance, and telecommunicating with employees at home.

CONSIDER THE UNCONVENTIONAL WORKPLACE DESIGN

Now is the time where thinking outside the box is crucial for redesigning office space. Due to COVID-19, the way we work is changing, so your mindset about your work environment needs to shift, too.

Unconventional office spaces, such as interiors with large, open layouts and desks that aren’t enclosed cubicles, can help brand your company while also providing employees with a sense of safety and security.

IMPLEMENT EDUCATION POINTS IN WORK ENVIRONMENTS

Since the start of the pandemic, business owners and other authorities have thought of creative ways to remind employees of safety precautions. You can use emblems, large floor stickers, and catchy signs in your office space that are informative but fun. Some common, creative phrasing to remind employees to remain six-feet apart includes, “Do your part, stay six-feet apart” and “Stronger together, just spaced out a little.” Using fun, informative language reminds employees of the safety protocols without causing alarm.

INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF HAND SANITIZER, MASKS, AND WIPES

A simple part of your office redesign is to ensure employees have easy access to hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and disposable masks. Employees will feel safer and more comfortable in their shared space, resulting in consistently productive workdays. You can also consider investing in supplying each employee with their own mask and hand sanitizer with your company logo.

THE FUTURE OF OFFICE FURNITURE

Traditional office furniture is a hosting ground for COVID-related pathogens. Business owners are implementing easy to clean furniture into their office redesign, including furniture with a surface that’s non-porous, meaning air or liquid can’t pass through it to avoid mold. You can remodel your office furniture by replacing the fabric with vinyl and metal surfaces with laminate. Surfaces, such as metal and vinyl, are less porous and easier to clean.

Individual workstations should also be altered when considering your office redesign. Workstation elements, like personal sliding drawers and limited-touch storage, are excellent COVID-19 safety recommendations to consider. You can also look into investing in self-cleaning skins and mats that adhere to high-touch point surfaces, such as door handles and elevator buttons, and self-clean the surfaces.

REDESIGN YOUR OFFICE WORKSPACE WITH SKILLED SERVICES

We know best practice solutions for redesigning your office space to support the CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19. From workstation furniture to break rooms and bathrooms, we’re taking our past solutions and making the proper changes that the modern office space needs to function safely and efficiently in this new time we live in. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your next redesign project.