How well are you using your office? There's a chance that this is a question that you've not been asked before. It's certainly an incredibly important one, but it's also something that a lot of business owners tend to either take for granted or ignore completely. People tend to assume that every office works in the same way and making sure that you're using is as effectively as possible isn't something that they consider to be all that important. But in reality, the way that you use your office space can make all the difference in the world. It can affect your employee's motivation, mood, even their energy levels. You could have the most driven and passionate team in the world, but they're being dragged down by their environment. If you feel like you've not been paying close enough attention to your office space then here are a few simple pieces of advice to help you really make the most of it.

Space

No one likes being cramped or closed in. You might think that keeping desks in neat rows is an efficient use of space, but that's going to come at a cost. What you might be gaining in terms of raw, extra space, you're going to lose in terms of employee motivation and energy. If your staff feel trapped and wedged in like sardines in a tin can then they're never going to be able to bring the right kind of drive and energy to the office. Think about perhaps opening the space out a little bit. You don't want to end up scattering desks all over, but it's important to find a balance between an efficient use of space and an office where your employees feel able to work comfortably. Keep the space looking its best by regularly updating the decor so that it looks fresh and modern. And employ a cleaning company like Green Facilities to keep everything clean and looking its best and as safe as possible for your employees. 

Light

Light is one of the most important things that you probably never even think about. It's incredibly easy to take the light in your office for granted. In fact, the only time the majority of people notice it is when it's not there. A dark, dreary office is an unpleasant environment for everyone. It drains your energy levels, makes it hard to concentrate, and generally slows down productivity in your business far more than you'd expect. You have no excuse not to focus on the lighting in your office. From implementing emergency lighting to making sure that your windows allow you to bring in as much natural light as possible, such simple, easy changes can make a huge difference. You and your employees will feel more energized, more focused, and you'll just generally enjoy being in the office more than before.

Communication

Communication is central to just about any successful office. Your staff needs to be able to communicate effectively with each other in order to get pretty much anything done. Look at your office space and ask yourself, how can you make the most of it to maximize communication between staff members? You might think that an open plan office is the best option but don't forget that not every member of staff is going to be able to work at their best when surrounded by people talking and moving around. Perhaps you can set aside specific areas for collaboration or quiet, private workspaces that allow people to focus more easily.