Before you look at a single building, it helps to know how much office space per employee your team really needs. Too little space hurts productivity; too much means paying rent for empty desks. This guide gives practical rules of thumb, a sizing table and the extra rooms people often forget.
Once you have a target size in m², comparing offices for rent in Da Nang becomes much faster, because you can rule out units that are clearly too small or too large.
Office space per employee: the rule of thumb
Many workspace planners use a range of about 8–12 m² of gross office area per person. That figure includes desks plus a fair share of meeting rooms, circulation, storage and a pantry.
| Layout style | Typical space per person | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Dense open plan | 6–8 m² | Call centres, development teams, start-ups |
| Standard open plan with meeting rooms | 8–12 m² | Most small and mid-sized companies |
| Mix of private offices and open plan | 12–15 m² or more | Law, finance, consulting, management teams |
These are planning ranges, not legal standards. Your real number depends on the shape of the floor, column positions and how your team works.
Office size by team size
| Team size | Suggested office size | Typical rooms |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 people | 30–60 m² | Open area, 1 small meeting room or shared one |
| 10 people | 80–120 m² | Open area, 1 meeting room, pantry corner |
| 20 people | 160–240 m² | 2 meeting rooms, phone booth, pantry, storage |
| 50 people | 400–600 m² | Reception, 3–5 meeting rooms, focus rooms, pantry, server or storage room |
The rooms teams forget to plan
Desks are easy to count. The rooms below are what usually push a layout over budget or make it feel cramped:
- Meeting rooms: plan at least one for every 10–15 people, plus phone booths for calls.
- Reception or waiting area: needed if clients visit often.
- Pantry: even a small one improves daily life.
- Storage and IT: files, equipment and a network cabinet.
- Focus rooms: quiet space for deep work or video calls.
Net vs gross: why your calculation can be wrong
If a building quotes 150 m² on a gross basis, part of that area is a share of lifts, lobbies and corridors. The space you can actually furnish may be noticeably smaller. Always ask for the net usable area and a floor plan, and run your layout on that. We explain this and other contract terms in our guide to the office lease in Vietnam.
Planning for growth and hybrid work
Moving offices is expensive, so plan for the headcount you expect 12–18 months ahead. Two ways to keep flexibility:
- Choose a building with more units available on the same or nearby floors.
- Negotiate a right of first refusal on the neighbouring unit.
For hybrid teams, size desks for peak attendance, not total headcount, then keep the space you save for meeting rooms. Many teams find they need more collaboration space when people come in on the same days.
Example: a 15-person team in Da Nang
A 15-person software team working mostly open plan, with one manager office, two meeting rooms and a pantry, would typically look at around 130–170 m². In Da Nang that could be a single floor in a smaller Grade B building such as Vernal Building, or a part floor in a larger tower.
Quick checklist
- Count current staff and expected staff in 12–18 months.
- Decide your layout style and pick a m² per person range.
- List meeting rooms, pantry, reception and storage.
- Convert to net usable area and add 10–15% buffer.
- Shortlist units within that range.
Frequently asked questions
How many square metres of office space per employee do I need?
A common rule of thumb is about 8 to 12 m² of gross office space per person. Dense open-plan layouts can work with less, while offices with many private rooms need more.
How big an office do I need for 10 people?
For 10 people in a mostly open-plan layout, plan for roughly 80 to 120 m². Add more if you need several meeting rooms, a large pantry or private offices.
Should I plan for future growth?
Yes. Plan for the headcount you expect at least 12 to 18 months ahead, or choose a building where you can expand into a nearby unit.
Does hybrid work reduce the space I need?
Often, yes. If not everyone is in the office every day, you can plan desks for peak attendance rather than total headcount, but keep enough meeting and focus rooms.
Is the space in a quote the space I can use?
Not always. Some buildings quote gross area, which includes a share of common areas. Ask for the net usable area before you calculate your layout.
Conclusion
Use 8–12 m² of office space per employee as a starting point, then adjust for your layout, meeting rooms and growth plans. Doing this calculation before viewings saves time and helps you negotiate with confidence.
About Top Office
Not sure how big your office should be? Send us your headcount and we will suggest units that fit.
Top Office is an office leasing advisor in Da Nang with a database of 50+ office buildings, from Grade A riverside towers to compact spaces for small teams.
- Free consulting for tenants: we shortlist offices that match your team size and budget.
- Transparent quotes: we help you negotiate rent and lease terms.
- Remote viewings: photos and videos before you arrive, site visits when you are here.
- Fit-out support: planning, interior design and building permits.
📱 Looking for an office in Da Nang? Message us on WhatsApp or call +84 706 779 777.
