The importance of things: solving workplace storage Jun 24, 2021| Opinion In a new working world, with a focus on hybrid working, collaboration hubs, and hot desking, lots of businesses are facing the question from employees: without a desk, where will I put my things? In the past, lots of us had an under-desk pedestal or similar, with several drawers (which inevitably ended up filled with surplus stationary, endless paperwork and, let’s be honest, snacks), and it was no problem to leave a coat, scarf, or pair of shoes under the desk – because you’d be returning to the same seat tomorrow. Now, that’s unlikely to be the case – and it’s not a bad thing. A clutter-free workspace will mean clearer thinking and higher productivity, and a clear-desk policy is good practice from a security perspective, too. That being said, personal belongings are undeniably important. So how can we give colleagues a sense of belonging and a place to stow them in the new office environment? Why ‘things’ matter One of the biggest challenges that employees have consistently reported over the past year or so is a struggle to feel connected or part of an organisation when working remotely. The pandemic has changed the way we work, with assigned desking coming back into fashion and so it’s more important, now more than ever, when welcoming your colleagues back, to give them a sense of belonging in the workplace. People are creatures of habit, so having a personal desk, in a shared office space, helps foster that sense of belonging as part of something bigger – while allowing them to put their own individual stamp on their personal workspace. Having familiar and useful ‘things’ around them – whether that’s a preferred pen, a favourite mug, or even a tube of hand cream – people helps them feel comfortable and happy, which – ultimately – contributes to a productive environment. There’s also a practical element, too. For active commuters, it’s handy to store a change of clothes at work; for some, a ready-to-go business jacket for formal meetings is sensible; and, for most, being able to stash a raincoat or supplies for a desk-top breakfast is a plus. If we recognise that allowing colleagues to have ‘things’ at work is important and useful, but that it’s just not possible, practical, or preferable, to have piles of personal belongings under desks, we’re forced to think differently. What are the options? One way to think about storage cleverly is to be bold: don’t shy away from bringing personal space into the open space. By using furniture that you can customise and adapt (take a look at LockerWall), you could create storage that helps you repurpose your space – running along walls, reforming an existing alcove, or acting as a zone divider or perch point. By giving colleagues a designated locker, they’ll have the benefit of knowing their essential ‘things’ are at work waiting for them, while you’ll still have the flexibility to use your space differently from day to day. You can build storage into your shared spaces, too – you just need furniture that helps you be a bit creative. A nice idea is to combine practical storage (like lockers and cubbies) with display showcasing work or materials that help remind your colleagues what the brand they’re a part of is all about. Our collection, Be, is a range of room dividers creating collaboration zones or a place to take 5. With display units built in, the collection allows sunlight to pass through boosting mood and wellbeing, whilst leaving space for personal stowage creating a sense of belonging. Or, if you’d rather keep a more traditional sense of personal workspace-and-storage all in one, but modernise it to work for you, investing in booths or cubicles that have storage built in (like our Quarters range) could be a good way to go. It means if colleagues are popping in for ad-hoc meetings or collaboration sessions, they can keep their coats, bags, or even Bromptons close at hand for when they need them, without cluttering up the office. It might be that one or two, or a combination of all three solutions – lockers, display, and booths – work best, depending on how you plan to use your space in future. Keep in mind that different people value different ‘things’, so try to keep flexibility at the forefront and use a range of storage solutions that will make your team feel happy and productive at work.
