Leasing a new office is a major decision. It affects economics and the working environment, but also how people thrive, collaborate, and grow together. Work life is changing quickly, so many companies now place different demands on space than just a few years ago.
Instead of focusing only on location and square metres, teams need to think long term and flexibly. Here are important points to review before signing a new lease.
1. How do you actually use the office?
Many companies still size offices for everyone to be on site every day. With hybrid work, reality often looks different.
Consider:
- How many people are on site at the same time?
- Does everyone need a fixed desk?
- Which areas are used most today?
- Are you short on meeting rooms or quiet space?
Understanding real usage often reveals unnecessary area and cost.
2. Think beyond today's needs
An office should work even if the business changes. Choose a solution that can adapt over time.
Ask:
- Can the space scale up or down?
- Are more flexible terms available?
- Can the layout change as needs shift?
- How does the space support ongoing hybrid work?
Flexibility is increasingly central on the office market.
3. Count the full cost
Rent is only part of total occupancy cost. Many underestimate spend on power, internet, cleaning, furniture, services, and maintenance.
In some cases flexible or shared models are cheaper overall, even if the rent per square metre is higher. Compare the whole picture, not just base rent.
4. How does location affect employees?
A central address is not always what matters most. For many people, accessibility and an easy commute matter more than prestige.
Think about travel time, public transport, local services, and whether the area feels attractive and safe. An office that is easy to reach often increases willingness to use it.
5. The office should create value
As more people can work from home, the office must offer more than desks. It should support collaboration, culture, and community.
Workplace quality therefore matters more: good meeting space, reasonable noise levels, room for focus, and layouts that encourage spontaneous encounters. Future offices are less about maximising desk count and more about creating the right environment.
A decision with wide impact
Choosing office space is more complex than it used to be. Work patterns shift quickly and companies need premises that can evolve with them.
The organisations that do best often ask not only how large the office should be, but why they have one at all.