3 Key Features of the Startup Office

What defines a startup office? Aside from the defining characteristic of hosting an up-and-coming business, these dynamic office environments tend to have a few basic features in common that set them apart from old-school workplaces. As more and more startups prove their worth and mettle in the marketplace, established businesses are starting to take note and incorporate these modern design features into their office renovation concepts.

Open Seating

Cubicle farms aren’t very well suited to the plucky ethos that defines most startup businesses, and as such, offices for these young enterprises tend to feature open seating layouts. Individual desks are replaced with large benching systems that offer individual workstations oriented in close proximity in a central office workroom. In some cases, even c-suite leadership will be out on the floor with their team. Closed doors and walls are symbolically and functionally antithetical to the go-getting team atmosphere that tends to define these organizations from top to bottom.

Collaborative Spaces

Stale, staid conference rooms are a no-go in most startup offices. Now, collaborative spaces are seen not just as places to meet with and impress clients but also as rooms where teams can work together on projects whenever they need to really hash things out. Features like movable walls, modular tables, digitized flat-panel whiteboards and projection screens make it possible for team members to meet and work in an inviting, well-decorated room that’s closed off from the hustle and bustle of the office at large.

Some teams may find themselves gathering in these collaborative meeting rooms several times a week to coordinate and discuss their upcoming work. Startup offices tend to prioritize worker freedom, and these collaborative spaces are an effective way of ensuring that freedom results in productive output from those who need to work together to do their jobs.

Creative Lounge Areas

Startups are also putting more emphasis on worker comfort and satisfaction than ever before, which means the employee lounge has gotten a major makeover. Old-school offices would feature sofas and armchairs in waiting rooms and executive offices only; employees would have to make due with some stiff chairs around a small table in the copy room if they wanted to take a break from their desks. This shift toward employee comfort means that many startups feature a central living room space that’s perfect not only for taking breaks but also for giving room to those team members who do their best work in a relaxed, comfortable setting. Lounge spaces usually have useful tech integrations such as power strips and presentation screens that lend a multipurpose feel to the area.