Rental Guide

How to Choose the Right Office Size
How to Calculate Floor Area Per Person Correctly

The formula for calculating space per person, plus allowances for meeting rooms, a pantry, and future team growth.

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The Basic Space-Per-Person Formula

Standard

sqm / person

All staff in office every day; comfortable working space including circulation areas.

WFH / Budget

sqm / person

Rotating attendance or budget-constrained; desks may be hot-desked.

⚠ These are not rigid rules — some offices use 5 sqm/person to cut costs, but it can feel cramped. The right figure depends on work style and company culture.

🧮 Sample Calculation

Team of 20 people, in office every day, with 1 meeting room + pantry

Workstations — 20 people × 10 sqm 200 sqm

Meeting room for 8–10 seats (recommended 20–25 sqm) 25 sqm

Pantry / break area 10 sqm

Buffer for team growth over 1–2 years (+10–20%) ~23 sqm

Recommended Total Area ~250–260 sqm

Space to Budget Beyond Workstations

🗓 Meeting Rooms

Allow 15–25 sqm per room (8–10 seats). Teams of 10–20 should have at least 1 room; larger teams are advised to plan for 2.

🍳 Pantry / Break Area

Allow 8–15 sqm for a fridge, microwave, and dining table. Improves staff wellbeing noticeably.

🖨 Print / Copy Room

Allow 5–8 sqm for printers and document storage. Some offices integrate this into the main workspace.

📈 Growth Buffer

If you expect 20–30% headcount growth over 3 years (your lease term), build that in now — otherwise you may need to relocate before the lease ends.

Approximate Office Size by Team

Team Size	Full-time (10 sqm)	WFH / Budget (5 sqm)
5 people	50–60 sqm	25–35 sqm
10 people	100–120 sqm	50–70 sqm
20 people	200–240 sqm	100–130 sqm
30 people	300–360 sqm	150–190 sqm
50 people	500–600 sqm	250–300 sqm

* Figures include allowance for common areas, meeting rooms, and pantry.

✅ Tips from Real Experience

• Don't over-size — renting too large means paying unnecessary rent. Start with what you need now.

• Serviced offices offer more flexibility — if your team size isn't settled yet, a serviced office with monthly adjustments is better than a 3-year traditional lease.

• Inspect the actual floor — don't rely on numbers alone — some buildings measure area including pillars and corridors, so usable space is less than the contract states. Always measure in person.

• Don't underestimate meeting room needs — if you have 20 people who meet frequently, plan for at least 2 meeting rooms.

📚 Related Articles

Step-by-Step Rental Guide → True Cost of Renting an Office → Traditional vs Serviced Office → Price Comparison by Area →

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