Three Mistakes Customers Make When Moving Offices and Easy Fixes to Avoid Them
Man packs up and carries boxes out of an office space.
Your office move will either set your team up for their best work or become a very expensive mistake. Here's what usually happens: the lease gets signed, construction starts in 60 days, and the furniture? Still hasn't been ordered.
In our experience with workspace transitions, we've seen the same patterns play out. Here are three of the most common mistakes companies make and the straightforward fixes that'll save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
Mistake #1: Waiting Too Long to Plan Your Furniture & Layout
The challenge: Many teams focus on leases and construction first, leaving furniture and design for last. This results in limited choices, shipping delays, and last-minute compromises that affect how the space actually functions.
Furniture lead times average at 4-6 weeks, but can stretch 12-16 weeks or more for custom fabrics and specialized pieces or during high-demand periods. When companies wait until construction is underway to think about what goes inside, they end up scrambling. They settle for whatever's available instead of what actually works.
The fix: Plan your furniture and layout in parallel with your move. Treat design as part of the project timeline, not an afterthought. A good interiors partner can help you map lead times, coordinate installs, and make sure everything lands on schedule.
That's the approach our team at YTI takes as we blend design, product sourcing, and installation into one process so you can move in with confidence, not chaos.
Mistake #2: Misjudging How Much Space You Really Need
The challenge: Companies often overestimate how much space they'll use, especially with hybrid schedules. Others underestimate growth and run out of room too quickly.
Without solid data on actual occupancy and usage patterns, it's easy to plan for the wrong amount of space. Over-sizing wastes budget on empty desks and unused square footage. Under-sizing forces you back to the drawing board sooner than planned.
The fix: Start with a space analysis. How often are desks occupied? What areas get the most use? The best plans combine workplace data with your team's day-to-day habits to ensure your layout supports real work patterns, not assumptions.
We help teams visualize this with space planning and 3D renderings so they can make informed choices before ordering a single piece of furniture. Instead of regretting your layout, it’s a result of proactive design choices.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Design Flow and Brand Experience
The challenge: A move often focuses on logistics, not how the space feels or functions once everyone's inside. Without planning adjacencies (like who sits near whom) or flow (like how people move through the space), collaboration and focus can suffer.
Poor layout decisions can create friction in daily work. When teams that need to collaborate frequently are separated by floors or hallways, communication slows down. When quiet zones sit next to high-traffic areas, focus takes a hit.
The fix: Use your move as a design reset. Think about how space layout reflects your company's culture, how brand colors and materials can energize your team, and how furniture choices support comfort and performance. Don't curb your own goals with poor design.
This is where a design partner becomes your best asset, helping translate your goals and culture into a functional, inspiring space that truly works for how your people operate.
Ready to Make Your Move Count?
If your company’s next chapter is coming in the next few months or as far out as a few years, the right time to start thinking about a change is now to be as prepared as possible. Let’s build your workspace to support your exciting next steps.
If your lease expires in 2026, furniture lead time means now is the ideal time to plan. Waiting until construction starts risks being too late.
We've created a simple checklist to help you stay ahead of the common pitfalls and avoid the rush fees and layout regrets. Let’s get you set for your company’s future!
Download our FREE office move checklist here!