Three steps to smart storage solutions
Well-planned storage makes a big difference to employee wellbeing and productivity at work. By opting for storage solutions that are both smart and stylish, you can create an organised workspace that allows staff to find what they need when they need it. Follow our three simple tips for smart storage at work.
Make the most of the available space
If you’re short on floor space, look at wall-mounted cabinets and shelves. Tall shelving units are another optimal space-saving solution for the office. If you have a crowded space, you can save on floor space by taking advantage of the full height of the room and building storage units from floor to ceiling. Place items or files that are accessed less frequently on higher shelves and ensure you have a kick step handy so that employees can still reach those shelves safely when necessary. Many shelving units are available with add-on sections; this concept saves a little space by sharing uprights between two units. It is also a more cost-effective option that allows you to expand on your storage as your needs change.
Open or closed storage
Let your needs guide your choice of open or closed storage solutions. An open shelving unit, such as a bookcase, makes it easy to access files and allows you to showcase photos or awards. However, if you have clients visiting your office it might be better not to have files and general office supplies on display. Storage cabinets make it easy to hide the mess of papers and create a neat and tidy workplace. For many offices, a balance of open and closed storage is the ideal solution: open storage for company literature and reference books but cabinets for stationery and supplies. Don’t forget to think about whether your document storage needs to be lockable in order to ensure compliance with data protection laws.
If you are short of space, cabinets with sliding doors are an ideal choice as they take up minimal space even when the doors are open.
Everything in its place
It is easy for shelves and cabinets to become hoarding areas for paper, pens and other small items. Add storage boxes, drawer inserts and other accessories to better organise your workstation and avoid losing important documents or small items in the office. For archive shelving, use labels and archive boxes with pre-printed text fields to mark up your storage so that you can find what you're looking for quickly and easily.
Most importantly, plan before you buy. By thinking about what you will need to store in advance, you can cut down on the amount of storage furniture you need while simultaneously maximising your available storage space!
