We all know that space comes at a premium, so if you want your bottom line to be as healthy as it can possibly be, as a business, you need to see what you can do to save money on space, even if your business is growing and expanding. Here are a few things that will definitely help you with that:
Save Space To Save Money (14 Ideas)
-
Storage Units to the Rescue
If you are looking to save money on space then instead of renting a bigger office space or warehouse, in the first instance, you might want to look at storage units instead. These days, you can find secure storage for everything from documents to warehousing and retail storage, so whatever you need the additional space for, there is a good chance you will be able to find it for less than you might think, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, and it can be a total lifesaver.
The key is to find a storage company who have a good reputation and tons of security measures in place, so that you can store your stock or your important documents there without having to worry about it at all.
-
Ditch the Conference Room
Be honest—how often does that fancy conference room actually get used? If you’re paying extra for meeting space that just sits there most of the time, it might be time to reconsider. With so many video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, you can hold meetings virtually and skip the space altogether.
And for those times you really need to meet in person, consider renting a conference room by the hour at a co-working space. This way, you’re only paying for it when you need it rather than constantly footing the bill for space that goes unused 90% of the time.
-
Create a Hot-Desking System
If your team is in and out of the office or works remotely part of the time, hot-desking is a brilliant way to cut down on wasted space. With hot-desking, employees don’t have assigned desks; instead, they can grab any available workspace when they’re in the office.
To make it work, set up lockers or cubbies where people can store their personal items. A hot-desking system can free up a surprising amount of room and reduce the total square footage you need. Just make sure you’ve got enough desks on rotation for peak hours, or you’ll end up with some unhappy, deskless employees!
-
Go Paperless and Save Space (and Maybe a Few Trees)
If your office is drowning in paper—file cabinets, piles of receipts, folders that seem to multiply—going paperless can be a game-changer. Not only does digital storage free up physical space, but it also keeps everything much more organized. Use cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to store important documents and files online.
Digital documents are easier to organize, search, and share. And as a bonus, you won’t have to worry about misplacing a file ever again (or getting buried under a paper avalanche). For the essential physical documents, keep those in a document storage unit and say goodbye to that giant filing cabinet taking up half your office.
-
Maximize Vertical Space with Smart Storage Solutions
If you’re only using floor space, you’re missing out on a whole world of vertical storage potential. Invest in tall shelving units, wall-mounted storage, or pegboards to keep items off your desks and floors. Vertical storage not only makes your space look more organized, but it also gives you more room to work with.
Whether you’re stashing office supplies, books, or equipment, using your walls for storage helps create a more spacious feel without actually needing more space. Plus, it looks neat and can even add a bit of style to your office.
-
Embrace Remote Work and Skip the Daily Desks
Remote work is here to stay, and it’s not just a benefit for employees—it’s a space-saver for businesses too. If you’ve got employees who can work from home, encourage it! The fewer people you have in the office at any one time, the less space you need overall.
Consider setting up a hybrid schedule where some employees work from home a few days a week, or offer fully remote roles for those who don’t need to be on-site. You’ll cut down on desk space and office supplies, and your employees will love the flexibility. Win-win.
-
Outsource Inventory and Save on Storage Costs
If your business involves products or inventory, storing everything in-house can eat up space quickly. Instead of keeping all your stock in the office, consider outsourcing inventory storage to a warehouse or fulfillment center. Many fulfillment centers can handle storage, packing, and shipping, freeing you up to focus on the rest of your business.
Outsourcing inventory doesn’t just save space; it can also streamline your shipping process and reduce the headaches of storage management. And for those items you need to keep close by? That’s where a warehouse storage unit comes in handy.
-
Implement a Document Management System for Digital Archiving
A Document Management System is the next step up from simply going paperless. Instead of just storing files in cloud folders, a DMS allows you to organize, search, and secure digital documents in a centralized location. Systems like DocuWare, M-Files, and SharePoint provide features for indexing, version control, and user access permissions.
This approach makes it easy for employees to locate and share important files without physical storage. A DMS reduces the need for bulky file cabinets and boosts efficiency by ensuring everyone can access the latest document versions in seconds.
-
Use a Co-Location Data Center for IT Infrastructure
If your business runs heavy IT equipment like servers but doesn’t have the space to house it all, a co-location data center could be your solution. Co-location data centers offer a space where you can house your servers in a secure, climate-controlled environment with robust internet connections. Providers like Equinix or Digital Realty can handle your infrastructure, while you remotely manage and access your data.
Not only does this save physical office space, but it also reduces costs related to cooling, maintenance, and security. You’ll have reliable infrastructure without having to sacrifice valuable square footage.
-
Share Equipment
If every team member has their own printer, scanner, or other bulky office equipment, you’re just eating up space unnecessarily. Set up a centralized area for shared office equipment, and encourage everyone to use it.
Shared equipment zones reduce the need for multiple machines, free up desk space, and can even save on maintenance costs. And who knows? It might also inspire a bit of inter-team bonding while waiting for that big print job to finish.
-
Think Portable
In a small space, versatility is everything. Mobile carts are a fantastic way to keep your essentials portable, accessible, and easy to stash away when not in use. Load up a cart with office supplies, tech gear, or even snacks, and roll it out when you need it.
These little mobile storage units are perfect for freeing up desk space while keeping frequently used items close at hand. And since they’re on wheels, you can move them around as needed, giving you flexibility on the fly.
-
Leverage Smart Sensors to Monitor Space Usage
Installing smart sensors to track how much each part of your office space is used can reveal surprising insights. Platforms like Density or VergeSense use sensors to track space utilization in real-time, helping you identify underused areas.
For example, if certain meeting rooms are rarely booked or if the break room is empty for most of the day, you could repurpose or downsize these spaces. This data-driven approach allows you to optimize your layout, reduce unnecessary areas, and make your office as efficient as possible.
-
Rent Additional Storage as Needed for Events or Seasonal Peaks
Many businesses have peak seasons where they need extra space for inventory, marketing materials, or special equipment. Rather than expanding your office to accommodate these temporary needs, rent a storage unit for those busy times.
This can be especially helpful if you have seasonal items that only see the light of day once a year or event materials that don’t need to be stored on-site year-round. You get the extra space without the full-time cost, and you’re not cramming your office with boxes when the season’s over.
-
Invest in Space-Saving Tech
Technology can take up a surprising amount of space if you’re not careful. If you’ve got multiple monitors, printers, and bulky devices cluttering up your office, look into space-saving alternatives. For instance, projectors instead of large monitors in meeting rooms or wireless devices that don’t require long cables.
Compact tech solutions keep your office streamlined and efficient without sacrificing functionality. A clutter-free tech setup means more desk space, less hassle, and less need for extra storage.
As you can see, you don’t have to blow your budget to ensure your business has enough space!