How big of an office does one person need to work? It’s a difficult question that has countless factors involved. A simple answer could be 6 foot square; enough for a desk and to open a door. A better question might be, “What do I do for work that will need room?”
Do you need space to write on a whiteboard?
This allows you to share your ideas with others and brainstorm them in a logical manner. It’s also great for planning and scheduling—you can break down projects into smaller tasks, then fill in each task on the board as it gets done.
If you have access to a whiteboard but still feel like your workspace could use more room than a desk provides, consider looking for an alternative location for your office.
Do you need space to store files and papers?
When it comes to storing documents, you should consider the size of your office. If you have a large room or several rooms, then it is easier to store files and papers in one location. However, if you only have one small room that serves as an office, then you may need to find other ways of organizing files and papers so that they are still accessible when needed.
Some items that need storage space include:
- Files containing sales receipts
- Personnel files with employee information such as names, addresses and phone numbers
- Accounting ledgers
- Equipment such as printers or copiers
Do you need access to a conference room or common work space?
If your team is working together on a project, then you’ll need access to an appropriately sized conference room. But, it may be just one person in the office who needs a conference room on occasion. If more than one person will be using the space regularly (for meetings or simply working together), then it may make sense to invest in more permanent fixtures like tables and chairs that can stay in place as needed.
Do you need office equipment (printer, copier, fax machine)?
- Do you need to print or copy things?
- Do you have a fax machine, and do you need it?
- What kind of scanner do you need? Is a flatbed or a portable scanner better for your needs?
- What kind of printer do you need: laser or inkjet (or both)?
How much time do you spend in the office?
As a business owner, you need to consider how much time you spend in the office. If it’s all day, every day, then your needs will be different than if you’re only there for a few hours per day.
Additionally, consider whether or not an office is part of your overall business plan. Does working from home make sense for your particular industry? Are there any tax benefits associated with having an office? Do you need a dedicated workspace or can it just be one corner of the kitchen table?
These questions can help determine whether or not it makes sense for one person to have their own private office space or if they would be better served by sharing space with others or doing everything from home.
Are you willing to have your personal space and work space in the same room?
If you are working with a shared space and want your personal space, then the answer is no. However, if you want to work in an office of your own, then yes.
Sometimes it can be a bit challenging at first but it will get easier. You just have to get used to it and learn how to manage yourself better by using good time management skills.
Does the cost of an office matter?
You may need to look at the cost of your office space. There are many factors that go into this, including:
- The cost of an office can vary significantly depending on where you choose to rent or lease your space and what size it is.
- The cost of utilities (electricity, water, gas). Utilities tend to be higher in an office than at home because you’re paying for all that electricity needed to keep lights on and water running.
- Furniture and equipment costs include desks, chairs, computers and other equipment you might need for working remotely in your office setting.
- Internet connection costs include both hardware (a router) as well as service from a provider. Service costs can vary widely depending on how much bandwidth you use each month along with other factors such as speed tier options.
How many staff members will be on site at one time?
If you are working alone and/or for a small business, then your office needs will be minimal. A desk or table with a chair in a room that has sufficient lighting and air flow should suffice.
If you have two employees, the same basic requirements apply but with the addition of an extra chair or two for comfort and teamwork purposes.
For companies with three or more full-time workers, it’s best to invest in an office space that provides privacy while still encouraging collaboration.
There are a lot of factors that can affect the size of an office for one person.
The bottom line is that how big an office you need will depend on your specific needs. Always keep consistency and stability in mind.
