It is a well-known fact that the space you work in can immensely affect your productivity and creativity at work. That is why making sure that an office is a place that sparks feelings of happiness instead of causing stress is very important.
Consider your layout
Before you even start setting up the office, you first have to ask yourself what needs you have to fulfill in order to have your team satisfied with their working space. You also need to keep in mind the personalities, different working styles in your team and your budget. Once you know what you want, it will be easier to determine the office design you want to go for. Just remember that you may not always be able to give everyone what they want.
There won’t always be enough money to give everyone their own space, so you have to be flexible and work with what you have. If you find yourself struggling with this, someone like Perth Citi Fitouts – Commercial & Office Fitouts Perth can help you think of alternatives that will make working in teams as bearable as possible. You might even ask your employees for feedback so that you know if you’re moving in the right direction.
Provide space to move around
In order to boost productivity, you need to encourage your employees to be healthy and active. Regular exercise is very important for both our physical and mental health. If your employees are physically active they will be able to deal with stress and be more productive in the result. In order to incorporate any type of physical activity among your employees, you need to provide space to move around. For instance, you could use standing desks and treadmill desks alongside regular ones.
Sitting in front of the desk for a long time is not good for our eyes and back. But they also have negative effects on mental health. If you want your employees to be productive at work encourage them to take a break, move around a bit and relax during those busy workdays. Be mindful of your employees’ needs and make sure they have enough space. It is estimated that each worker should have about 40 square feet in a typical office area.
The psychology of colour
Believe it or not, colours have a huge impact on the human brain and the way it works. They can affect our emotions as well as our behaviour. The colour of the office walls can immensely improve the productivity of your employees if you know which colours to choose from. Here is a basic guide through primary colours and how they affect the human psyche.
White is usually associated with cleanliness. However, it is a very dull and boring colour and it can be very uninspiring. This colour should be used for open spaces or the kitchen. On the other hand, black usually conveys authority. It gives certain sinister undertones as well. But, if you know how to use it and add it as a complementary accent to the office it can give a luxurious look to the working space. Purple is a very unnatural colour and wouldn’t create the rig atmosphere in the room. Green, however, is associated with growth, balance, and nature. It can improve creative performance and productivity in a workspace.
Another colour that can help boost productivity is blue. It all depends on the type of work you are doing, but it is proven to boost relaxation and intellectual thinking. On the other hand, red is a very intense colour and should be avoided in a workspace. It can cause discomfort and distraction in the office. Yellow is very popular because it boosts happiness and positivity among employees. And orange can have many positive effects since it promotes mental stimulation and happiness. Try using it to highlight the most important design elements.
Soak up the natural light
Lighting can make a huge difference in the working area. It can positively affect the productivity and overall mental health of the employees. More specifically, natural light is crucial for boosting happiness and Vitamin D intake. Keep that in mind. Install as many windows as possible that will provide enough natural light for the workspace. If you’re not in a position to install more windows, use mirrors and reflective furniture to bring more light and create an illusion of more open space.
Rethink meeting and conference rooms
Be mindful of the spaces your employees spend the most time such as meeting and conference rooms. The goal is to make them as comfortable as possible because it will boost their productivity. Make sure that the equipment and furniture are functional, yet comfortable. Eliminate any potential distractions. You can always get high-quality commercial fitouts professionally done for you to make sure that interior spaces are suitable for occupation.
Incorporate plants
Lastly, incorporate as many plants as you can. They can make a huge difference in the productivity of the employees. Plants can reduce stress and sickness. They will not only clean the air, but they will also boost productivity and creativity in the office. Place them all over the workspace and make sure you have someone to take care of them regularly and keep them alive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, putting effort into making your office comfortable and cosy can be very important when it comes to the team’s productivity level. It can be significantly improved if you make sure that your employees feel happy and relaxed in their working area.