Office Storage Solutions Guide: Maximise Space & Efficiency

You may think that office storage plays a purely functional role. It’s actually far more important than that. It can transform your office environment, enhance the visual appeal of the workspace and contribute to organised and efficient working practices.

Your choice of office storage affects the workspace’s overall layout. An efficiently designed office space enables seamless movement, minimises distractions, and encourages communication and collaboration between team members. All of these factors boost productivity.

Your office storage needs to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It plays a key role in creating an overall impression given by your working environment, both to employees and visitors. Done well, it will help your business to look appealing, efficient, organised and smart.

Here, we’ll show you the factors to consider when buying office storage. We’ll help you to find the right storage solutions for your workspace.

What factors should you consider when buying office storage furniture?

Before you start ordering random office cupboards, bookshelves and storage boxes, it’s important to think about the specific needs of your business and its workspace. Our buyer’s guide should set you on the right track to finding your ideal office storage solutions.

Aesthetics

The style and aesthetics in your office aren’t just about the office furniture and décor. It’s also about the layout and organisation of the space. It’s important to make a good visual impression to anyone entering the office space, be that a client, visitor or your employees.

Office aesthetics go beyond creating a visually pleasing environment. They make an impact on your employees too. They help to convey the company’s values and culture. When you’ve put thought and care into the design of an office space, it shows. That sends a message to your employees that you care about them and their wellbeing too.

You can reflect your business’ ethos and values in your choice of office furniture, including storage solutions. If you’re a creative team, you may prefer more vibrant and less conventional types of storage, for example.

There may be design items, products, promotional items and awards that you want on show, say on open shelving in the reception area. Think about what you want on display and what needs to be hidden away. All of these choices influence the overall look, feel and functionality of your workspace.

Remember design consistency too. Keeping furniture in the same design family (or product collection) improves the overall aesthetic of the workspace. For example, if you’ve gone for an industrial aesthetic (think exposed brick and concrete), metal storage units will suit this style. But a busy, creative office may prefer durable, colourful storage units.

Space

How big is your workspace? Small offices really benefit from space-saving storage solutions and an organised environment. You can maximise the space with practical, organised storage units, like under desk pedestals. Bookshelves and wall units work better than freestanding office bookcases in small spaces as they prevent the floor space from feeling cluttered. They’re better from a health and safety perspective too. It’s worth considering cupboards and cabinets with sliding doors too. They save space as they don’t open out into the work environment.

You may also need to create zones within an open-plan office. Storage units can be used for this, providing practical storage solutions as well as delineation between workspaces.

Working style

Your office storage needs to work for your specific needs. Is your team mainly desk-based with some paper files to house? Perhaps you have large equipment to store securely. How often do the files or equipment need to be accessed? You need easy access to items used regularly. The way you store important documents will be different to your storage solutions for equipment like laptops, AV technology or tools.

Security

If you have confidential and important documents that need to be archived or stored away, secure storage units are essential. The same applies for high-value equipment, such as technology devices. Lockable cupboards and storage units will restrict access and keep valuable items more secure. This doesn’t always mean using a key either. There are contactless security measures available now too.

Flexibility

The way we work has changed dramatically in recent years. We may not store as much paperwork in a modern office, but we need storage spaces to support dynamic working. More people hotdesk now, so units or lockers are needed to store personal belongings, laptops and other equipment.

Modular storage is a popular, flexible option as it can be modified to suit new workspace requirements. It can be used to change the layout of a workspace, to create dividers between zones for teams or uses, and to create passageways. It’s great if you want to reinvent your workspace relatively easily.

What types of office storage cabinets are available?

There are many office storage units to suit the modern workplace. The days of the old-school metal filing cabinet and wooden bookcase as your only options are behind us. Today, you can find a storage unit that’s both a practical and aesthetically beautiful piece of furniture.

• Personal storage: lockers have become an expected solution in agile work environments. Without a dedicated desk, people need a secure place to store their personal belongings.

  In workspaces that do have dedicated office desks, a multi-drawer pedestal is a neat under desk storage solution. Alternatively, a desk high pedestal can be used to extend the work space. With two or three desk drawers, they provide ample space for personal effects like mobile phones, stationery and notebooks. Choose a mobile pedestal so that it can be moved easily if people change desks or you want to alter the office layout. Towers provide an alternative, yet still neat, solution for housing personal effects.

• Filing cabinets: strong and secure office storage cabinets to organise hanging files are a must in most offices. Used effectively, they will aid efficiency and organisation. Look out for office cabinets with soft closures which reduce sound and make a more pleasant office environment.

• Storage cupboards: from hanging jackets in the coat cupboard to selecting office supplies from the stationery cupboard, there are daily reasons to use cupboard space. They’re versatile and essential components of any office environment.

• Wall units: How much wall space are you wasting in your office? A blank wall has huge potential for office storage. Imagine an entire storage wall! Versatile office shelving units that can hold storage boxes, AV equipment and even bespoke items. You could also use bookshelves to display decorative items, books or office supplies.

• Kitchen storage: credenzas and sideboards are great options for storing kitchen equipment like crockery and glassware. Sideboards also look good in meeting rooms or boardrooms.

Modern storage solutions for your office environment

Today’s office space needs versatility and to support dynamic working. That’s why modern, high-quality storage solutions offer flexible options to transform your workspace.

The design and aesthetics of your work environment go beyond the decor and your choice of office chairs and desks. Your choice of storage unit makes an impact visually and also on productivity. It’s important to carefully consider the best storage options for your workspace.

KI Furniture’s award-winning creations are elegant, durable and practical. They seamlessly combine functionality with attractive aesthetics. Look through our collection of stylish storage options to find the items that will ensure your workspace is tidy, harmonious and appealing.

Please contact us, to enquire about any of our products.