Choosing the right office size is one of the most important decisions when renting an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Too small = cramped and unproductive
Too big = waste of money

So how many sqft do you actually need per staff?

Standard Office Space Per Staff (Malaysia). Here is a simple guideline: 

• Basic setup (tight) 1 staff for 50 – 70 sqft

• Standard office 1 staff for 80 – 100 sqft

• Comfortable office 1 staff for 100 – 120 sqft

• Premium corporate office 1 staff for 120 – 150 sqft

BASICLY 10 STAFF CAN FIT IN 1000SQFT

What is Included in Sqft Per Staff?

This is not just desk space.

It includes:

• Workstation area

• Meeting rooms

• Pantry

• Walkway space

• Reception area

• Storage

Office Space Planning Breakdown

A typical office layout may look like this:

• 60% Workstations

• 15% Meeting rooms

• 10% Pantry / breakout area

• 10% circulation (walkway)

• 5% reception

This is why you need more space than just desk size.

Different Office Types (Different Space Needs)

1️⃣ Startup / Cost Saving Setup

• Open layout

• Minimal meeting rooms

• Shared space

👉 60 – 80 sqft per staff

Best for:

• Small team

• Short-term lease

2️⃣ Standard Corporate Office

• Workstations + meeting room

• Small pantry

• Reception

👉 80 – 100 sqft per staff

Best for:

• SMEs

• Growing companies

3️⃣ Premium / MNC Office

• Director rooms

• Large meeting rooms

• Lounge / breakout area

👉 120 – 150 sqft per staff

Best for:

• Corporate HQ

• Client-facing business

Common Mistakes Tenants Make

❌ Only count number of desks
❌ Forget meeting rooms
❌ No future expansion planning
❌ Underestimate walkway space

Smart Tip (Very Important)

Always plan for:

👉 +10% to +20% future growth

Example:

If you have 20 staff today
Plan for 22–24 staff capacity

This avoids relocation cost later.

How to Calculate Your Office Size (Simple Formula)

Step 1:
Number of staff × sqft per staff

Step 2:
Add extra 10–20% buffer

Example:

20 staff × 90 sqft = 1,800 sqft

• 20% buffer = 2,160 sqft

👉 Recommended office size: 2,000 – 2,200 sqft

Final Advice

The “right size” depends on:

• Budget

• Company culture

• Growth plan

• Office design

Don’t just choose cheapest per sqft —
Choose space that supports your business.

Ahmad Fadli Ayub (Fadli Quzza)
Office Building Specialist

I specialize in office space rental across Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley. I help companies find the most suitable office based on their requirements, budget, and expansion plans.

My service is 100% free, from shortlisting to viewing and negotiation.