An integral part of any office space, office workstations are a fundamental part of your working setup. Most people will spend most of their day in their office seated at their office workstations, so having a functional and comfortable space is vital to ensure you remain productive. The first step to creating a comfortable office space is the office workstation you select. While this may seem like a straightforward task, there are several key factors you should always consider when making your selection. To help make your choice easier, below are the top 4 factors you should always consider when choosing your office workstation.
Your Office Space
Workstations come in a variety of sizes. You don’t want a workstation that is going to take over your whole space, nor do you want one that won’t provide you with enough working space, which is why when selecting your workstation your first step should always be to measure your available space. Measuring your available space will give you an idea of exactly how much space you have to work with so you can select a workstation that will fit within your space and suit your requirements. At this stage, you should also consider how much working space you need in relation to the size of your space. You want your workstation to provide you with enough surface area that you can work comfortably without overcrowding your workstation with important work items, but then you also don’t want your workstation to be so big that it creates too much unused space in your office as Goldilocks says, it needs to be just right. When thinking about the size of your workstation it’s not just the width and length you should consider; you also need to take into account the depth of the workstation you want. If you decide to place your desk in a corner or along a wall, the depth will determine how far the workstation will sit out from the wall into your office space. If you have a small office space you don’t want a workstation that is too deep otherwise, it will essentially take over your whole office space and not leave you with much room to move around in.
Style
Aesthetics play a big part in any office space and can have a significant impact on your workplace culture, and your workstation is no exception. In some instances, you may want a workstation that stands out in your office space, but in most cases, you will want one that fits in with the rest of your office. There are several style factors that can influence the workstation you select and each is important in its own way.
You want the workstation you select to fit in with your brand identity. This doesn’t mean that if your brand uses bright bold colours, your workstation has to be in bright bold colours, but it should reflect your brand in subtle ways. Say if your business reflects more of a professional feel, you want your office space to reflect that professionalism, so selecting a workstation that looks more professional is the way to go.
Popular workstation colours are neutrals such as grey, white and natural woods, which will not overpower your space and can allow you to easily work with other colours if you do want to add brightness to your space.
Ergonomics
We’ve all heard that sitting is the new smoking. It may be a bit of a dramatic way to put it, but yes, sitting for prolonged periods does have negative health consequences, but there are simple ways it can be counteracted. One of these ways is through your office workstation. Many people don’t often consider ergonomics when selecting their office workstations, either they just completely forget or don’t fully understand ergonomics, so they don’t worry about it, but most people will spend the majority of their day seated at an office workstation in their office. While this may not have immediate effects on their health, in the long run, it can be detrimental.
Ergonomics and office workstations are nothing too crazy. There are no big, overcomplicated options with a million different bells and whistles, its height adjustable workstations that go up and down at the touch of a button or the crank of a handle. Choosing a height adjustable workstation over a static version gives you the option to either sit or stand throughout the day, which helps break up your sitting pattern, minimising the negative health consequences and increasing your productivity. With your health being a top priority, ergonomics should also be one when selecting your office workstation.
Items that can enhance your workstation
While a workstation by itself is great. It provides you with the perfect smooth working surface, but often we need more than just a smooth working surface. Over time, people collect things, such as stationary, catalogues, and other important items and documents. The more of these items we collect, the more clutter we create on our workstation and a cluttered workstation can make it hard to work. Pedestals and other desk accessories like monitor arms and rapid risers can be the perfect addition to your workstation. Not only will they help you keep your workstation clutter-free, but can help enhance many of your workstation’s features, such as helping your workstation become more ergonomically comfortable. Not everybody will want to add storage solutions and accessories to their workstation, but it is something that you should always consider as you want to get your workstation setup right the first time.
Following these tips when selecting your workstation should make it an easier task. As office fitout specialists, the All Storage Systems team can help you select your workstation, ensuring you get the right one for your needs. For assistance in selecting the perfect desk system, contact our team today.
