In the fast-paced world of startups, creating an innovative and inspiring workspace while keeping costs to a minimum can be quite the balancing act. Many startups operate on tight budgets with a view to making money rather than spending it.
That said, a well-designed workspace shouldn't be an afterthought. Great workspaces can significantly impact productivity, collaboration, and employee satisfaction, the key ingredients to getting your startup off the ground.
An innovative startup space needn't cost you the earth and have you panicking about overheads from the offset. There are numerous practical strategies that you can employ to craft exciting spaces without breaking the bank.
Prioritise essentials
The size and nature of your workspace will dictate what you need in terms of office furniture, workstations, meeting areas, storage solutions, etc. From the offset, you'll no doubt have an idea of what's required to enable your startup business to run efficiently.
How many employees do you need to cater for? Will they require a combination of private and collaborative spaces for a variety of tasks? Do you want to incorporate an unfussy breakout area that provides a bit of time away from the desk? The answers to questions such as these will help you determine your workspace requirements.
Make sensible choices at this stage and the rewards will come in time.
(The first Facebook office was a tiny, cramped space above a Chinese takeaway - honest!)
Think about furniture pieces that prioritise quality over quantity.
Mass-produced furniture doesn’t offer longevity and will end up costing more in the long term when replacements are needed. Durable and ergonomic furniture will not only last for years to come, but it will also enhance productivity.
Embrace minimalism
Minimalism isn't just an aesthetic (though it makes for a great one!) It's actually more about taking a practical approach to an office design and keeping your space clutter-free, and clear of messy distractions. It's always advisable to start as you mean to go on and a clutter-free environment is important for mental clarity and productivity.
Consider adopting a clean and neutral design to help create a calming atmosphere. This approach will also reduce the need for continual upkeep and maintenance.
Choose flexible, multi-use spaces
Work smart, not hard. Working smart means creating a versatile design that adapts to different needs.
For instance, a meeting room can double as a collaborative space, and a quiet workspace during off-peak hours if necessary. By maximising the use of each area, you can optimise your startup's square footage and reduce the need for additional space.
Office pods can be great investments for a number of working requirements. Private phone calls, video conferences or even some solo tasking. It's easy to assume that a pod is too much of an investment, but with office furniture rental options and the modular nature of a pod, they'll stay with you for the foreseeable future. If you decide to jump in and commit to purchasing an office pod, on the other hand, you're making a great investment!
This flexibility can also accommodate changing team sizes and evolving business requirements. You won't need to make immense changes when your startup takes off!
Shared office spaces and coworking
If you want to maximise your workspace, you can always think about shared office spaces and co-working environments as an alternative to traditional office leasing. Both options allow startups access to well-designed spaces at a fraction of the cost and give you some breathing space to get things up and running.
Shared spaces also offer great networking opportunities and can expose you and your team to a whole host of potential collaborators. A fantastic way of getting your brand out into the open arena!
Choose furniture rental
There's no getting around the fact that your office furniture is one of your most valued assets (aside from your employees!) Your startup requires every ounce of your time and effort, and that starts with your furniture choices. Versatile, ergonomic, and durable furniture will help you attract new candidates, promote productivity, feed creativity, and support your brand identity from the outset.
That said, high-quality office furniture comes at a cost. We'd argue that it's worth the initial investment, but as a startup, there's every chance that you're dictated to by your available budget. No judgment - we've all been there!
Have you ever thought about renting your office furniture?
At Fluid, we're fully aware of the need for flexibility when starting a new business. Not every startup has the capital to invest in new furniture, and that's precisely the reason behind our subscription-based office furniture rental scheme.
Office furniture rental is a terrific idea for any startup for a whole bunch of reasons. You can save capital and opt for low monthly operation costs, use a try-and-test method to see if furniture pieces are a good fit for your business (if they're not, swap them for something else!), and gain access to a whole host of modular furniture pieces from office pods to height-adjustable desks!
So, when they say you can't have it all, you really can! With our rental scheme, you have the freedom and power to create a great space while keeping costs to a minimum at a critical time. Allow your startup to burst with productivity without having to dip into your rainy-day fund!
Fancy discussing office furniture rental options for your startup business?
Don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of the Fluid team and start selecting your favourite furniture pieces.