Our work environment dramatically impacts how we work - our ability to focus (and stay focused) and our overall productivity. Office design is crucial whether you work from home or in a larger company. The focus here isn't just on Feng Shui but on producing results and getting things done.
Several studies have been conducted on the relationship between work environment and productivity, and the most significant factor affecting an employee's ability to stay focused is their physical environment.
So how can you transform your company's office space to promote creativity, productivity, and teamwork? Check out these eight suggestions and make changes where you can. Even a small change can make a big difference.
Keeping your mind fresh is an important part of staying motivated. A short break can help your team members focus on some fun for a few minutes away from their desks. Establish a break area where your employees can take a 10-minute break. Many successful companies have common areas with ping pong tables, pool tables, sofas, bean bag chairs, and the like. Lina Miranda, VP Marketing at AdQuick explains, "Employees who want to get up and recharge or just need a change of scenery can move to the common area where they can relax and chat about projects with co-workers. Short breaks like these can actually increase employees' productivity."
Your office space reflects your brand's image. Even if customers and clients never visit, it can make a significant difference to the employees themselves. Decorate the office to keep your team connected to the company's values and mission. Make sure the office space is clutter-free (clutter can cause anxiety), conducive to productivity, and interesting and pleasing to the eye. Getting the team involved in brainstorming decorating ideas is a good way to make them feel involved. Encourage your employees to personalize their workspaces in a way that is also pleasant for them.
Perhaps color doesn't seem like a big deal on the surface, but in-office employees will be surrounded by those colors every day. There are four psychological primary colors: red, blue, yellow, and green. Red affects the body, blue affects the mind, yellow affects emotions, and green affects the balance between mind, body, and emotion. Office color schemes have been shown to increase productivity. "Colors like red foster excitement and build energy," explains Adam Bém, Co-Founder and COO from Victoria VR. "Bright colors can inspire ideas, while soothing colors like green and lighter blue help people relax." Get the team involved by having them vote on their favorite colors.
Knowing that you have your back to a door causes a natural level of moderate to high stress in a person because they don't know what's coming. You can reduce natural stress levels in your employees by designing an office flow so that most people can generally see who is entering and exiting the main pathways. This will allow them to feel more involved in what's happening around them and engage in communication or interaction that may be vital to their work.
The use of natural elements such as plants, water, and views of nature has been proven to increase productivity and creativity in the workplace. Additionally, they can be directly linked to simply making one feel better, giving one the feeling of being outdoors. This is especially prevalent in today's modern world, where people are more isolated from nature and natural settings. Integrating these natural elements into your workplace or mimicking them can enhance the positive emotional experience associated with the space.
Natural light is beneficial for both your physical and mental health. It can improve sleep cycles, boost vitamin D levels, prevent seasonal depression, and reduce headaches and eye strain. Natural light has also been shown to help boost productivity. It can help employees with their concentration and energy levels. Studies have found that a lack of natural light can negatively impact the workforce. You can bring natural light into your working environment, such as installing mirrors to cast more light or getting blinds that allow more sunlight in.
Cluttered environments can increase cortisol (stress) levels, which can really affect how we feel. A tidy workspace can improve productivity as clear desks have been proven to improve your ability to focus. Communal workspaces should be clutter-free and organized so that employees can sit comfortably for meetings, find supplies, find books, or whatever else they need.
According to Jayme Muller, Brand Manager at RTA Outdoor Living, "The way your office is organized and structured affects how productive your employees are. While no one-size-fits-all solution works for every business, creating a clutter-free work environment can boost productivity and help people think more clearly."
By fitting a workspace to an individual's health needs, organizations can increase employee well-being, improve productivity, as well as drive numerous other business outcomes. Here are a few ways you can change and encourage ergonomics in your office:
The physical environment greatly influences positive attitudes within a company. Lionel Mora, CEO at Neoplants exclaims, "A comfortable, attractive physical environment can create great energy. This energy ultimately leads to greater productivity and success." Windows allow natural sunlight and Vitamin D into an office, which contributes to a positive mood. A clutter-free work environment allows employees to focus on their goals. Finally, an open work environment that is not closed off by cubicles promotes group communication and helps employees build relationships.
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