Turning the lights on never felt so good. You get to work in the morning, flip the switch, and your office layout looks incredible. Then you wake up and realize…you have a lot of work to do before this dream is real.
Investing in a startup is scary, exciting, and scary. Relax. Take a deep breath. Sit down at your amber-brown walnut desk. You don’t need to pay an interior designer five figures for a serene startup sanctuary.
This is your company. You’re running a business, you don’t need someone’s advice on what couch colors to pick.
You’re a DIY type and you want to make this space your home away from home. For you and your employees.
You use local search optimization tips to get your brand in front of eyeballs, but what about when those people actually show up at your boring, drab office?
9 Creative Startup Office Layout Ideas
Below are 9 creative startup office layout ideas that’ll have your interviewees salivating for a chance to be part of what you’re doing.
1. Simple & Cohesive
Think of the last time you went into an Apple store. Walking through the busy halls of the mall the store sucks you in like a human vacuum.
The front end is all glass, breaking down the barrier between you and the store. The warm inviting glow of indirect bright lights shows off all their sleek new inventory without a hitch.
Other than a few tables that look like they came from the office section of Ikea, the store is empty other than what’s for sale.
Don’t overthink it. Work on finding only the necessities at first. A desk or a chair that fits your style and you can worry about the rest later.
You don’t want to end up like Steve Jobs at his first apartment.
2. Low Slope Roof
Do you hate spending your day in what feels like a big box for people?
If you’re moving offices or still looking for your first rental, look for a building with a low slope roof.
Why?
On top of the heating and cooling savings, a low slope roof can turn a building from an industrial eyesore to a homey and inviting bungalow.
You took the local SEO advice from the expert you hired, why not take the word of construction professionals throughout the country?
3. Keep It Mid-Century Modern
Mid-century modern sounds like something some pretentious home buyers on House Hunters look for.
But mid-century modern combines all the best aspects of interior design from the 40s to now.
Think Ikea meets Mad Men. Clean simple lines infused with retro color palettes, like this sofa, are great for providing a lot of seating in a small area.
4. Dedicate Space to a Reception Area
Remember the last time you waited for a doctor’s appointment? The old magazines were the perfect addition to the dusty ficus plant in the corner.
A couple of dying moths flutter their wings, trapped by the fluorescent bulbs. The drop ceiling has some water damage turning pieces of the tiles a muddy brown.
You can still smell the receptionist’s coffee breath when you think about it.
Don’t let this be your office. Bring in some orchids, scented candles, and make sure any customer service reps have an ample supply of breath mints.
5. Open and Clean Meeting Space
You have offices and desks for all your computers and other equipment. Keep your meeting space clean and open with nothing more than a table big enough to fit all your executives.
A simple meeting room takes off the intimidating edge some of your employees feel when they have to come talk to the boss.
6. Use Found Objects
From tables made of old wood pallets to desks made of bowling alley lanes, found object furniture goes great with the aesthetic of any startup office layout.
Think about it. Startups often have to improvise when they don’t have all the resources they need. Upcycling objects into furniture fit the mood of a startup like a banana fits in its peel.
7. Pick a Theme
You know those pesky ads for a new miracle drug or celebrities you didn’t know were dead?
Outbrain is responsible for most of those, but their startup office layout is much more cohesive than their spammy ads.
Headquartered in New York City, the founders chose a Seinfeld theme with modern art pieces in each office and 90s color schemes.
Your theme doesn’t need to be as intricate. Bonsai trees are affordable enough to put one at each employee’s desk.
In time you can add nature and zen-inspired artwork, furniture, and more. By choosing a theme you can build off you can spend your budget over time instead of blowing it all at once.
8. Natural Light
Breathing in the fresh mountain air all around you feels like an elixir for a better life.
Walking down to the river, you feel all the twigs and slippery-soft moss tickling your toes. As soon as you reach the opening in the canopy the sun’s rays cover you as if someone dumped them out of a bucket.
You shouldn’t have to wait once a year for your camping trip to enjoy the sun. Skylights and floor-length windows turn any cramped startup office layout into an airy oasis.
9. Don’t Forget a Break Room
“Did you check the earnings report yet?”
“Can you sign this invoice?”
“Are you able to make it to the company softball game?”
Walking into the break room, all the noise around you stops. You plop down on one of the oversized bean bags you got as a quirky break room sofa.
You can smell the eucalyptus from the three-wick spa candles and the soft hum of a classical piano coming from the white noise machine.
As much as your startup gives you life, it’s still work. Being the go-to person for an entire company can be so overwhelming.
It’s why you need a break room that can take you to Nirvana and back. Keep all work out of your break room and any smart devices on silent.
Is Your Office Layout Holding You Back?
“It’s a deal.” The little hairs on the back of your neck perk up as tingles run down your spine like a line of hungry ants towards a picnic basket.
After ending the call you lean back in your swiveling office chair and wipe your face in relief.
Your heads of finance and operations jump up from the mid-century modern loveseats you have side by side in your office.
That rush of blood to your head feels like it’s never going away. This is what you set out on your own for. This exact feeling.
Through a combination of local search engine (SEO) optimization, SEO tips from the experts, and posting great content you guys made it to the top.
What’s next? You’ve all worked so hard for this don’t you deserve an office that reflects your sky-high ambitions? These office layout ideas will have your competitors’ employees complaining about their own digs.
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