Redesigning Your Office: The Role of Workplace Consultancy

When it comes to redesigning your office, there’s more to it than just picking out a stylish desk and a nice colour scheme. The workplace is evolving rapidly, and so are the needs of the modern workforce. This is where workplace consultancy comes in – a strategic process that goes beyond aesthetics, transforming your office space into a hub of productivity, creativity, and employee satisfaction.

But what exactly is workplace consultancy, and why is it an essential part of the office redesign process? Here we explore how it can help you craft a workspace that doesn’t just look good but also delivers real value for your business.

Put simply, workplace consultancy is a process which explores your business’ and people’s needs, in order to translate them into a physical space that is tailored to boost your team’s performance. By reviewing data, analysing how your current office space is being used, and talking to your employees to get a real sense of what works and what doesn’t, completing a workplace consultancy process allows you to truly understand what’s needed from your future workspace.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Every business is unique, which means every office should be too. By investing workplace consultancy at the start of your office refurbishment project, you can ensure you create a bespoke office design that aligns perfectly with your business and helps you succeed.

1. Understanding your current space
A workplace consultancy process will include analysis of how your team use your current office space to identify areas that are underused or overcrowded, in order to pinpoint spaces and settings that are working, and those that might need to change.

Maybe you’ve got meeting rooms that sit empty most of the time, or perhaps your open-plan layout is causing more distractions than collaboration. With the help of workplace consultancy, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your current space, allowing you to make data-driven decisions.

2. Aligning office design with company culture
Your office design should reflect your company’s values and culture. Are you a collaborative, fast-paced startup? Or a more traditional, structured organisation? A workplace consultancy process will ensure that your office redesign aligns with your brand’s personality, values and goals.

For example, if your team thrives on collaboration, creating open, flexible spaces with lots of breakout areas would probably work better. If the majority of your work is more focused, private booths or quiet zones to minimise distractions would work well. The goal is to design an inspiring space that not only looks great but also delivers what your team needs.

3. Future-proofing your office
One of the key benefits of workplace consultancy is that it helps you design a space that’s adaptable to the changing needs of your business as it grows and as working practices continue to evolve.

This could mean incorporating more flexible workstations, creating multipurpose spaces and reconfigurable layouts, or integrating technology that supports hybrid working, so you are better prepared to respond to change and adapt to growth.

4. Boosting employee wellbeing and productivity
A well-designed office can do wonders for employee wellbeing. Who wouldn’t want to work in a space flooded with natural light, comfortable furniture and lush greenery? Workplace consultants are experts at designing spaces that promote health, wellbeing and productivity.

They understand the science behind office design, such as how biophilic elements (like plants and natural materials) can reduce stress, or how the right lighting can improve focus and mood. By creating an environment that supports your employees’ mental and physical health, you’re likely to see a boost in productivity and job satisfaction.

Investing in workplace consultancy can deliver tangible business results and add real value. Here’s just some of the ways how:

1. Increased employee engagement and retention
A workspace designed with your team in mind, can have a big impact on employee engagement. When your team feels comfortable and inspired in the environment they work in (because it’s been designed with their needs in mind), they’re more likely to be productive, motivated and loyal. Happy employees who feel valued are also more likely to stay with your company longer, reducing recruitment and training costs.

2. Space optimisation and cost savings
The cost of renting office space can be one of your biggest expenses. Workplace consultancy can help you lower rental and operational costs by making sure aren’t spending money on unneeded space. It will also ensure you make the most out of your space, whether that’s by reconfiguring layouts, reducing the need for excess meeting rooms, or introducing hot-desking.

3. Supporting a hybrid workforce
If you, like the majority of organisations, have adapted to a hybrid work model, it’s important you have considered ways to support your remote and office-based employees to ensure productivity, communication and culture are not impacted.

Workplace consultancy can help you create a flexible, tech-savvy office that meets the needs of your hybrid team by collating data about office/desk usage and the type of workplace settings your team needs when they are in the office. From smart meeting rooms to collaborative hubs and app-based booking systems, effective design which utilises the modern technology and a range of workplace settings can bridge the gap between remote and office-based workers.

4. Enhanced company image
What does your workplace design say about your business? A well-designed office can enhance your company’s image, communicate your brand values and tell your story, and make a lasting impression on all who walk through the door.

You can use data gathered during the workplace consultancy process to influence everything from your reception area, to colour, lighting and furniture, to help you show employees and visitors what your company is all about.

If your office is overdue for a makeover, now’s the time to take the plunge. At Consensus Workspace, we believe that amazing office design starts with understanding your unique needs. Our team of experts are ready to help you create a workspace that not only looks fantastic but also empowers your team to do their best work.

Let’s chat! Whether you’re looking to redesign your office or embark on a complete refurbishment, we can guide you every step of the way. Contact us today and start your journey towards a workspace that truly works for you.