4 Types of Hybrid Office Space for Remote Workers

An office layout plays a vital role in defining productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Especially for a hybrid office layout, you need to put forward certain factors and key considerations before making a decision. Since many workplaces are now transitioning to a hybrid workforce, they are also moving towards modern working modes such as hot-desking, office hoteling, and other modifications of flexible office layouts.

If you are also setting up a new workplace and wish to proceed with hybrid office space designs, it is important to get a creative office layout to motivate the employees and enjoy this new workplace change. A hybrid office design is different from a conventional office design since it needs to be smartly planned and curated to maximize space utilization.

This article will cover the best office layouts for a hybrid work environment and other helpful tips to make the most of the hybrid office layout design for a workplace.

How is a Hybrid Workplace Different from a Conventional Workplace?

A hybrid collaborative office layout is different from a conventional workplace in many ways. It has maximum space utilization as the topmost priority for starters, and unlike a conventional workplace, a hybrid workplace is small and efficient.

Since hybrid office layout involves both in-house and remote employees, organizations need to think and plan smartly to ensure that all employees are well-attended while no space goes to waste. It is important to organize the number of desks, chairs, and other accessories so that no space goes wasted, nor does any employee find it hard to get a workstation to sit.

Planning such as flexible work arrangement is hard and contains a lot of thought processes involved. It also means that there needs to be software and other hardware systems capable of withstanding and running along with this change.

Best Hybrid Office Space Types

A modern workplace in a hybrid layout should translate the needs of employees and employers, and it should also be aligned with the company goals. For instance, the geographical barrier resulting from some employees working remotely must not compromise productivity. On the other hand, if employees are subjected to change in seating arrangement each day, then there should be a proper hot desking software that highlights the number of free desks from the occupied ones.

Moreover, employers should also make sure that employees are well on board with the change as mentioned by the SCARF model; the change in the workplace can be one of the major reasons for employee stress, thus bringing about lower productivity.

While previous modifications in the workplace were majorly linked to the benefit of an organization, in the light of a hybrid workplace, the changes are more targeted towards both the benefit of employers and employees. Since younger workers want more freedom and access to redesigned workplaces that emphasize collaboration, learning, and cooperation, it is important to plan by keeping all the needs in mind and discovering the most workable solution.

However, if your workplace is transitioning towards this change, then there will be some bottlenecks, and it is hard to adopt this change suddenly, but here are some of the common ways to make the hybrid office layout work for your workplace.

1. Rental Places

With a hybrid workplace, sometimes the demand for more workstations and office hardware will increase, and the company must be sufficient to provide that. It doesn't mean that a company should drain all of its savings into purchasing extra computers and accessories. But the good idea is to rent a shared workspace for cases where remote employees would want to come in and work. This will keep the remote employees and in-house employees separate, and there will not be any mess.

2. Dedicated Workspaces

For businesses that operate from more than one part of the world, it is important to provide the employees with the necessary tools and other helpful equipment for hybrid office layout. If remote employees can't constantly use that hybrid office space, they shouldn't be disadvantaged. Remote employees may stay closely connected and collaborate by setting up a shared office or desk space in the city where they reside, backed by the tools and space they need to be effective.

There are many shared workspaces and co-working spaces that can be accessed by employees worldwide. These workspaces are usually covered with all the amenities needed for a smooth work experience.

3. Meetings

One of the most crucial hybrid office perks and hybrid office layout for remote employees is the opportunity to meet colleagues and clients in a professional and safe setting. To create areas for one-on-one talks, utilize modular furniture or chairs in quiet nooks. Make use of any outside places you have access to for more relaxed meetings. Many rental spaces are quiet, have the right tools, and are good for connecting over a coffee or two. For limited space offices, renting such places once or twice a week is a good idea.

4. Effective Design

Sure, the hybrid work model is very smart and planned for efficiency, but an effective design can make this system work to the best. Unlike a typical office with banks of desks or cubicles, an efficient hybrid workplace does not impose a particular way of working on employees. Instead, a hybrid workplace should anticipate what each employee could require during the day.

A great idea for hybrid office layout is to provide a range of locations to support various working styles, such as casual social areas with comfortable seats, quiet meeting areas, and conference rooms set up for video conferences with remote colleagues. For workers working on tough projects or who may prefer a quiet space, having a little one or two corner desk setups is a good idea. This means your workplace offers a diverse range of solutions for people who want to work in either way.

To make any of the above practices work, you must plan and move things forwards strategically. One great idea is to follow the Autonomous hybrid work model that entails all the important rules and key findings of shifting to a modern workplace.