Did you know that your offices can greatly influence your employees’ workplace productivity? Well, we are here to tell you that the layout of your offices, the lighting, and even the color scheme can have a positive effect on the atmosphere, you just need to get it right. Of course, there are a few other factors to consider, so read on if you are interested.
Think about the office lighting
A lack of sufficient lighting in the office may trigger fatigue and depression, which leads to lackluster performance from your employees. Think about it, why are so many Scandinavians struggling with seasonal depression during the dark winter months? Well because there isn’t enough sunlight, which is vital for our daily functioning. In turn they resort to light therapy. Now, we are not saying that you should get a ring-light for every employee, however, you have to make sure that there is enough light in every office space. With enough light, your employees won’t have to strain their eyes for 8 hours straight, and looking into a computer screen in a semi dark room is even worse.
Have comfortable furniture
More and more people are complaining of back, hip and neck issues, and they are mostly correlated with long hours of sitting at a desk – which is usually at work. People suffering from chronic pain are far from healthy and productive, so it would be good to have some comfortable furniture to alleviate these issues. We’re talking comfortable computer chairs with enough back support, desks of the right height, and lounge areas where your employees can sit back, and maybe even lie down for a couple of minutes. It would also be a great idea to implement adjustable desks that can go from regular sitting desks to standing desks. To add to that, there are even treadmills designed for standing desks, and you can give your employees the opportunity to choose their preferred office furniture.
Choose the right colors
Just like light, color greatly influences our mood. Depending on your brand, your color scheme should be designed to boost productivity, not inhibit it. Having that in mind, there are certain color schemes that are especially pleasing to the eye like white and beige, which are great for spas, or therapist offices. There are colors that energize, like red and yellow, which are great for a dynamic and fast paced environment, like a fast-food restaurant. Green and blue shades are great for businesses which require concentration, which is why banks and law firms seem to like them so much. The colors you choose depend only on your business and employees. Of course, you can paint different spaces in different colors, depending on their purpose.
Introduce enough fresh air
Just like the lack of light can affect your workers, so too can a lack of fresh air. Stale air, poor in oxygen can cause migraines and a general fall in productivity in the office. If you have bad ventilation systems, at least try to make use of windows and doors, especially in the summer. If you are afraid of bugs and other creepy crawlies, there are retractable fly screens you can attach to your doors and windows, and the fly screen parts are easy to replace when necessary. Fresh air is even better than air conditioning, because it is richer in oxygen, and better for the environment.
Add some plants
Sufficient to say, if you cannot change the color scheme of your offices, you can at least add a dash of nature. Office plants are the best way your employees can destress, since having greenery around greatly reduces anxiety and stress. Moreover, looking after plants can be extremely therapeutic for everyone, not to mention those colleagues with a green thumb. And what better excuse to personalize your space than to add whimsical and decorative pots and vases.
Have enough storage space
Nothing is more demoralizing and distracting than stacks of unsorted files, papers and supplies all over your work desk. Your space is a reflection of your mind, and if your space is disorganized, that means your mid is disorganized as well. It can also be a problem if an office doesn’t have enough storage space for all that clutter. From enough shelves, to decorative storge boxes, every office should be supplied with elegant storage solutions, which in turn may boost the productivity of your employees.
Think of both individual and group workspaces
It seems that more and more leading companies are choosing to have both individual and joint workspaces, since it positively affects workplace satisfaction and productivity. Regardless of whether your office plan is more open or private, you should keep in mind that your employees need their own personal space, as well as space for socializing and group work. Each employee has their own preferences, and you should cater to everyone. Someone may prefer to work alone, whereas some thrive in the chaos of teamwork.
While they may seem like details, these factors we’ve mentioned in fact can improve or inhibit the workplace productivity of your employees. Think about your business, and your employees, and consider the color scheme, lighting, and the amount of fresh air in your office. For an added boost in employee satisfaction, you can add plants and change the layout of your offices.
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