How To Make Your Office Inspiring Again

Some may say that a work environment having knock on effects to your performance is a frivolous claim. However, an inspiring work area is fundamental to the productivity of your employees, not to mention their happiness. We are visual beings and therefore our surroundings play a huge role on our mood. It’s becoming more and more popular for businesses to invest in stimulating environments. Ditching the blank walls, cheap chairs and distracting fluorescent lighting for a more modern, contemporary feel.  Do the math and you’ll be surprised to hear how many hours a year you’ll spend in that office, surely this is enough to know that it’s so incredibly important you feel good when in it, both emotionally and physically.  

Truth is, this isn’t shocking news to many, the first research conducted with regards to the effects that decor has on a worker took place in the 1960s. The test revealed that factory workers at the time were far more productive surrounded by vibrant environments as opposed to the darker gloomier tones. Since it has often been questioned as to what we need to provide in order to create the ultimate, productive and efficient work environment.

I’ve worked in a variety of different offices throughout my life time, many I can hand on heart say I’d never like to step inside again. It’s far too common to see workers cramped inside claustrophobic, stuffy work environments. A recent survey conducted by the Ohio State University and the National Institute of Mental Health, followed sixty workers at a government facility in central US. Roughly half and half of the employees targeted had been working in a cramped old office building with limited air flow, the others a newly refurbished building fit with skylights and an open plan layout. The project ran for just over a year, and once all feedback was retrieved and assessed the results raised some extremely interesting results. The Scientists discovered that the workers who were placed in the older style building were significantly suffering for more stress, stress that in fact crossed over into their everyday life. The stress levels were high enough the cause great concern for risk of heart disease. Compared to the other half, thanks to the high ceilings, were far more creative and able to problem solve more efficiently. It has been noted the high ceilings allow us to free our mind up to the possibilities and problem solve with far more successful results.

It’s not just simply a case of psychology, if an office is well designed, meaning every useful device is in easy range, the work environment becomes a more ergonomic place to both be and work. Considering ergonomic design factors will certainly reduce time wasting throughout the working day. For example, placing communal objects such as the printer or water cooler right by an employee’s desk is going to cause multiple distractions throughout the day.  When taking in consideration the comfort and health of your employee office furniture should be ergonomic, meaning it fits in with the governments health and safety regulations. A comfortable employee will happily stay at their desk and work longer.

It is also a good idea to move away from closed of personal desk unit, open plan space is the future of the office. It should be encouraged that your employees communicate with each other, sharing both ideas and knowledge. It’s time to consider the above and boost your team morale. 

Furthermore, your employee comfort should always be at forefront of your mind. However, have you thought about when clients and prospective customers pay a visit to your business? It’s so important that both your work environment and workers relay a positive feeling. Colour is the best way to successfully achieve the right mood. If your business core values are both happiness and innovation, bright vibrant colours should be used around the work place. Whether you introduce these on the wall or buy contemporary furniture in outstanding or minimalist designs to compliment or spruce up an area, both can work. 

Decoration and colour should always match the ethos of your business. Pastel colours work well to create a relaxed environment, putting people at ease while it has been reported that shades of blue ignite creativity, helping workers see that the sky is the limit. Red enforces a feeling of urgency, aiding workers to work effectively to tight deadlines. 

Do you have any useful office interior design tips that you have found work well in creating a stimulating and inspiring environment to work? Tell me in a comment below!

Image source: https://pixabay.com/en/office-startup-business-home-office-594132/