5 Things You Could Do With Vacant Space in Your Office

It’s one thing to work in an office that’s filled to the brim with people. Crowded offices can be difficult to navigate and more than a little inconvenient but if you’ve ever gone through the feeling of having an empty room or area in your office with absolutely no idea about what to do with, you’d know that it’s the worst of the two. Empty spaces can be a void in your otherwise comfortable office space. In lieu of simply transforming that space into just another storage room, what’s the best way to use vacant space? 

If you’re feeling lost on what you need to do, don’t fret! In this article, we’ll give you the tools you need to figure out what needs to be done. Use these five tips to spice up that free space and reintegrate it into the rest of your office. 

You probably guessed that this would be the very first thing on our list! Adding recreational spaces into the workplace is one of the most popular corporate trends right now. So, if your office lacks a place where your employees could do activities after office hours or during lunch breaks, it’s time for a change. Adding fun stuff to your offices like a pool table or a gaming station could have some unprecedented advantages.

To understand this, simply check out the offices of YouTube or the Google Headquarters. Google has a ton of stuff for its employees to do during their free time. There is a pool table, there are consoles, arcade games – if you think that’s a lot, Google also has sleeping areas where their workers could rest whenever they need to. 

Try something similar with your free space by simply throwing a flat-screen on the wall, adding a couple of couches and a coffee maker. Voila! You just created a fun space that everyone in your office can enjoy. It’s a great way to promote positive company culture and give employees a much-deserved way to unwind. 

While this isn’t really a way to improve the whole aesthetics of your workspace, its definitely a cost-effective way to utilize the space. There are a lot of individuals out there looking for an office or hotdesking space to work from. From nomadic freelancers to solo entrepreneurs, there are many people looking to replace the noisy coffee shop or isolation of their home with an economical workspace. 

There are many benefits to renting out your vacant areas. Not only could it serve as a new revenue stream, but you also never know when you might need the help of a freelance content writer or maybe a web developer. Opening a hotdesking space could open the doors to potential collaborations!

In terms of furnishing, all you really need are desks and a couple of chairs but, of course, things like couches, decorative plants, and pictures are always a nice touch. All things considered, if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to utilize vacant space, renting it out is the best option.

What’s the one best way of keeping your employees happy? It’s simple–ask them what would make them happy! If you’re tired of brainstorming what needs to be done with a vacant space, just ask your employees. Send out an email inquiring about what each person would like to do with space. Chances are good that you’ll get a few common answers that will help you make a decision. Treat the answers as options and pick one that you think would work best for everyone involved. You’ll be praised for opening the floor for other opinions, your coworkers will likely be happier and most importantly, you’ll have some way to use the vacant space. It’s a win-win-win situation!

Remember that episode of The Office where Dwight starts a daycare? Yes, this may seem like an unconventional use of office space. However, it’s could be a way to get in your employee’s good books! Every company has working parents that struggle to balance child-rearing with their busy work schedules. Many parents are required to pay for separate daycare services that are located far away from the office. Well, you can save them some stress using your vacant office space as a daycare center! While this option will definitely require you to redecorate and paint the room in child-friendly colors, there are actually minimal expenses to your company. Simple hire nannies and offer it as an opt-in service for parents. It’s a great way to show that you care about employee’s personal lives and, once again, to promote a positive work culture.