Offices

Office Storage Circulation Design for Offices

Give people and equipment a route that remains usable during normal work, arrivals and cleaning.

Explore the ideas
Parallel kitchen with teal cabinets and a continuous counter run
Service inspiration: organize equipment along opposing work runs.

Plan in this order

  1. Map separately who enters, what they carry and where they turn or pause.
  2. Move stopping points out of through routes, especially beside doors and intersections.
  3. Put the largest regularly moved item on the plan and trace the full trip, including both ends.
Worked example

A family bathroom is shared in the morning, and one person needs the sink while another reaches the shower.

Arrange the basin access so it does not require crossing the shower’s wet area. Mock up door and towel positions and rehearse two people moving through the room.

How to test it

Run two movements at once during the test walk. Note which person must stop, reverse or step into another activity.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Put frequently used supplies along a secondary aisle and personal lockers near the staff arrival route.
Detail
Label cabinet zones, reserve a place for bulky equipment, and use durable pull hardware.
Trade-off
Central storage is convenient but can attract queues.
  • Inventory typical stored items
  • Open every door and drawer in the planned aisle
Straight kitchen cabinets with a long counter and under-cabinet lighting
Service inspiration: keep task surfaces and storage easy to reach.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Kitchen with pale green base cabinets and a continuous tiled backsplash
Service inspiration: choose surfaces that can be wiped along work areas.

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