Modern workspaces have come a long way since the rows of desks and paperwork assembly lines of the Sixties. Many of today’s offices are sleek, inviting and reflect the brands that occupy them.
But it’s about being more than merely aesthetically pleasing, it’s about creating an environment where your employees feel comfortable and their wellbeing is paramount.
How Office Space Affects Productivity
Your employees will spend a significant part of their lives in the office so it makes sense to create an environment which is as welcoming and uplifting as possible. Yet, despite huge leaps forward in office interior design there are still plenty of workplaces where people are expected to be 100% productive in the most uninspiring of environments.
According to one survey by Savills, 65% of workers believe if their office matched their ideal workspace they’d be more productive yet only 34% of respondents said they’d been asked for their opinions on the ideal office space. Another survey discovered an overwhelming 87% of workers would like their employees to offer healthier workspace benefits such as wellness rooms, ergonomic seating and sit-stand desks.
How To Make Your Office Space More Productive
If you know your workspace is lacking, there are several areas where you can make improvements:
Natural Lighting
The presence of natural light has a profound influence on the wellbeing of employees. One report found biophilic design, the concept of connecting office design more closely to nature and natural light, can improve productivity by 6% and creativity by 15%.
Workspace Layout
How you organise your desks, workspaces and common areas contributes heavily to communication and collaboration. Employees are at their most productive when they have room to move around freely. If an office space floor plan design is too cramped or disorganised it can be demotivating.
Some of the best ideas also come about after a chance encounter in the corridor or a quick chat over the water cooler.
You can take that a step further, building breakout areas which provide a different environment from a workstation and enhance the ability to collaborate.
Colour Psychology
Colours are well-known to affect mood and influence psychology so it’s important you consider how it is incorporated in your office. Blues and greens are some of the most effective colours because they’re thought to make staff feel calm and energised. Similarly, a rich and luxurious purple is one of the best colours for creativity while brown is a soothing natural colour.
Versatility and Adaptability
Your office interior should be adaptable as your company grows and evolves. Flexible and agile workspaces enable businesses to accommodate different working styles and can easily be reconfigured when required.
If you’re unsure where to begin with your office renovation our team can help you maximise employee productivity through innovative design.
Image Source: Canva
