Common Questions Regarding Office Space and Office Furniture

Common Questions Regarding Office Space and Office Furniture

By Scott Robertson

Lindsey's Office Furniture teamed up with Dax Design Studio to answer some of the top questions about Office Space Design!

Dax is your on-demand design firm. They will work with you by the hour or complete project. They work with clients, architects, property management companies and commercial office furnishing companies to create estimated costs, create specifications and furniture selections.

1. How much office space do I need for my business?
2. How much square footage does an average office need based off of number of employees?
3. What is a Standard Private Office Size and What is a standard Executive Office Size?
4. What is a Standard Cubicle Size and What is the best cubicle height, especially now in a post COVID world?
5. What size conference table do I need and how big a room do I need for it?
6. Will social Distancing and Work from home change any of our current ways the Office is designed?
7. What can I expect to pay for office furniture per person in my office?
8. What is the average lead time for Office Furniture and when should I start shopping for furniture, compared to the date I want to be in the new office space?
9. What areas should I be most concerned with and why?
10. What are the new color trends in the Office?
11. At Dax Design Studio what can you and your team do to make this easier?
12. What things are you able to assist with?
13. When should someone reach out to you?

1. How much office space do I need for my business?
First we determine the number of employees in the space, work performed anticipated client base etc. . Warehouse storage, production, break area’s and future expansion are additional considerations. We work with clients, architects, property management companies and commercial office furnishing companies to create estimated costs, create specifications and furniture selections.

On average we calculate the number of employees by a minimum space requirement . This minimum space requirement per employees is is usually between 125-250 square feet for private offices. Minimum space requirement for cubicle work station is 65-150 square feet. The size of the conference rooms is determined by the number of seats required at the table. The size of reception area’s determined by number of employees, and clients / customers expected.

2. How much square footage does an average office need based off of number of employees?
We know this is a tough question due to a number of variances but we are trying to give a rough estimate. Every office and every client are different. Here are a few industry standard calculations.
Private offices 125-250 square feet per person.
Work stations 65-150 square feet per person.
Work Areas / Break Area’s 80-125 square feet per person.
Conference Rooms 25- 50 square feet per person.
Reception Areas 75-200 square feet per person.

3. What is a Standard Private Office Size and What is a standard Executive Office Size?
Consistently, the standard private office size is a minimum of 10x12 which will generally accommodate an executive L or Desk and Credenza with a guest chair. The standard size of a private executive office is a minimum of 10x20. This size should accommodate an executive L or desk and credenza as well as a small round meeting table and four chairs. .

4. What is a Standard Cubicle Size and What is the best cubicle height, especially now in a post COVID world?
Although cubicle sizes vary based on function , a good standard size is an 8’x8’ with an average height of 5’-6’. I will always encourage clients to upgrade the details on cubicles. Glass inserts into cubicle walls as well as overhead storage and task lighting are the most common upgrades.

5. What size conference table do I need and how big a room do I need for it?
One of the most frequent questions to be asked. I always recommend starting with the number of people that the conference table needs to accommodate. One of the general industry rules is the number of people that need to be seated determines the length of the table. An example would be, seating for eight requires an 8’table, seating for 10 requires a 10’ table, and so on. I always begin with the length of the table and then add the size ( depth ) of the proposed chairs on each end of table . Once you have the total length of the table and chairs, add another 2.5 feet to either end. This should give you a minimum required length of room. The next step is to add the width of the conference table. Add the size (depth) of the two chairs, one on either side, add another 2.5’ to each side. This number will be the minimum required width of your room.

Remember to factor in an additional items, such as credenza and egris.( walkways around the room ) This is my general formula . Conference table length or width + two chairs on either side or end + walkway behind chairs.

6. Will social Distancing and Work from home change any of our current ways the Office is designed?
The new “covid normal “ has definitely impacted our industry. Businesses are forced to adopt and reimagine how they create safe and productive work space . More people are working from Home and maintaining or increasing their productivity. Most companies have decided to reduce their overall footprint. There has definitely been a surge in Multi function office furnishings that can be adapted to home use. Overall office design is now more than ever, cleaner, brighter, and more efficient.

7. What can I expect to pay for office furniture per person in my office?
Of course there are many variables to that equation. An industry average is about 2500 -5000 for a private office or cubicle and 3500-5000 per conference room. Our team of industry partners like Lindsey’s Office Furniture are a valuable resource to furnish your office environment.

8. What is the average lead time for Office Furniture and when should I start shopping for furniture, compared to the date I want to be in the new office space?
The average lead time on most office furnishings is four to six weeks. There are a great many products offered in a “quick ship “ program.. These items are in stock and ready to ship. This process is usually two to three weeks. Of course Custom and specialized products have the longest lead time . Once we know the desired move in date we will work with one of our commercial office furniture partners to determine product availability.

9. What areas should I be most concerned with and why?
The reception area and conference rooms are your first impression. They have the most impact on customer experience. The work area’s and offices are based on productivity and company culture. The priority is based on the function and purpose of your company.

10. What are the new color trends in the Office?
Whites and Lights are still the most sought after. Clean, Modern and efficient design govern the work place. Industry experts expect this trend to continue but with a nod to the 1970’s. Rounded shapes and organic textures along with metallic surfaces are some of the predicted design trends.

11. At Dax Design Studio what can you and your team do to make this easier?
We work with industry experts to streamline the process. We eliminate the guess work . Dax Design Studio is a full service commercial and hospitality design firm. We have thirty years experience in the industry serving both Fortune 500 companies and smaller boutique offices. .

12. What things are you able to assist with?
We are here to assist with you and your team through finish selections, furniture selections space planning as well as art placement. We are your on-demand design firm. We will work with you by the hour or complete project.

13. When should someone reach out to you?
Typically we are hired in the initial stages of conception. We work with clients, architects, property management companies and commercial office furnishing companies to create estimated costs, create specifications and furniture selections.