Office design affects employee mood and productivity in several ways. A well-designed office space can make employees feel relaxed, comfortable, and happy—all of which are essential factors in productivity.
Considering the design of your office space is vital if you want to create a productive and happy workplace. How you design your office can directly impact how well employees work together, how they feel about their jobs, and ultimately their productivity.
Here are some ways office design improves employee mood and productivity at work:
- Proper Lighting Design
How much do lighting and other factors affect your mood and productivity? Studies suggest that lighting significantly affects how you feel and how productive you are at work.
The following are some ways proper lighting can improve it:
- It reduces eye strain.
- It improves concentration and focus.
- It keeps your eyes from becoming tired or dry during long work hours in front of a computer screen or tablet device.
- It reduces headaches caused by staring at bright screens for too long.
Use natural light and incorporate it into your office as much as possible. This is one of the best ways to provide adequate lighting while decreasing energy costs. You can even add more windows to the office space by contacting window company Clifton for help.
- Adequate Office Space
The office space is a place where employees spend most of their time. This is why it’s crucial to have adequate office space so employees can feel comfortable and productive.
Employees uncomfortable in their workspace often look for other places to work or stay home. This has a negative effect on productivity and employee morale.
Creating a flexible working environment is essential so employees can choose where to work on a given day. This allows them to focus on their tasks without worrying about what others are doing around them, as they’ll be in different spaces throughout the day.
- Pick The Right Color
In an article for Entrepreneur, Dr. Travis Bradberry says, ‘People are more productive in blue rooms.’ He cites a study by Harvard Medical School which found that participants who were asked to read the text in different colors reported their concentration level. The blue group reported being most focused than the other groups, which read the same text in red, yellow, or green.
How does this happen? Colors directly affect your moods, emotions, and productivity by affecting your sense of time. Bradbury writes: ‘People who work in green offices report feeling less stressed than those in any other color.’
This doesn’t just apply to your office walls. It also applies to all aspects of your workspace. If you want people to be more productive and focused at work, choose the right colors for each space, even if it’s just adding a pop of color with an accent wall or throwing pillows on the couch.
- Comfortable Types Of Furniture
Employees need to feel comfortable at work, which means having the right furniture in the right place.
When it comes to office furniture, comfort is a major factor in employee satisfaction and productivity. It might seem like a minor issue, but good chairs and desk accessories can significantly impact how people do their jobs, even if they don’t realize it.
The right furnishings can make employees more productive because they’re less distracted by discomfort. A wrong office chair or desk can lead to backaches, muscle pain, headaches, and eyestrain. These conditions can interfere with concentration and focus on the task at hand.
Businesses often invest thousands of dollars in ergonomic chairs and other employee equipment. The reasoning behind this investment is simple: ‘Employees who are more comfortable at work will likely stay longer and be more productive during those hours.’
- Decent Technology
Good technology has a significant impact on employee mood and productivity.
If your employees use outdated computers, worn-out keyboards and mice, and old monitors, they won’t be able to work as efficiently or enjoy their jobs as much. Technology is an integral part of their lives. It’s only natural that they want the same level of comfort at work that they have at home.
Investing in the latest technology for your business shows that you care about your employees’ comfort level and satisfaction with their job. It also shows that you’re taking steps toward making them more productive.
A recent study by Steelcase Inc. found that employee satisfaction increased by 40% after workstations were upgraded to include ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and other accessories like footrests, USB ports, and wireless internet access points. Employees also reported feeling less stressed and more focused on their tasks when given these new tools at work.
- Kitchen Space
When it comes to the quality and productivity of your employees, kitchen space can make a big difference.
A new study by researchers at Cornell University found that the amount of kitchen space in an office building affected employee moods and productivity.
In the study, researchers looked at data from more than 25,000 office workers across different types of buildings. They found that workers in establishments with larger kitchens reported more positive moods and overall job satisfaction than those in smaller kitchens.
- Open Space For Socializing
When you work in an office, you don’t just have to deal with the stress of your job. You also have to deal with the stress of your coworkers. For example, if your coworkers are loud or talkative, it can be distracting and unproductive. It can also be frustrating if they’re not doing their jobs well or seem lazy.
If you’re looking for a way to make everyone happier at work, consider adding open space for socializing into your office design. This will give employees a place to go when they need to take a break from their desks and get some fresh air outside the office walls.
It increases employee engagement. When people have an opportunity to get away from their desks and interact with other people at work, they feel more engaged and happier with their jobs. This leads to higher employee retention rates and better productivity among staff members who feel like they belong at your company.
- Natural Elements
The office environment can significantly impact an employee’s mood and productivity. Natural elements such as sunlight, plants, and windows can help improve the workplace experience.
- Sunlight: A scientific study shows that people who worked in offices with windows took fewer breaks, worked longer hours, and reported higher job satisfaction than those who didn’t have views of nature. In addition, the workers who had access to natural light were more likely to feel energized and less stressed.
- Plants: Studies show that plants improve indoor air quality by removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene (both linked to cancer). Research has also found that employees who work in offices with plants are more productive, happier, and healthier than those without them.
The office is the ultimate place to get things done. And it’s not just the people who work there that make this possible.
The office itself is also an essential part of the equation. The right environment can help you be more productive and positive about your work.
- Right Temperature
The wrong temperature in the office can be a big distraction. Employees are less productive and experience higher stress levels when the temperature is too hot or cold.
To keep your employees happy and productive, you must ensure that they work in a comfortable environment.
Here are some tips for keeping your office at the right temperature:
- Set a thermostat in each room. This is especially important if you have several rooms with different functions, like an office space with cubicles versus a conference room. You can set up individual thermostats or use central air conditioning systems that control temperatures throughout your building.
- Use fans when it’s hot outside, or turn on the heat in winter when it gets cold outside. Fans are great because they move air around without blowing out hot air from vents as air conditioners do, making them ideal for controlling humidity levels indoors during summer when humidity levels outside are high.
The right temperature in the office can significantly impact employee mood and productivity. Employees tend to feel uncomfortable and distracted when it’s too hot or cold. They also feel less motivated and more stressed out.
A comfortable temperature can improve your staff’s performance by up to 30%. That’s not only good for their health but also good for your bottom line.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that employee wellness is vital to any business’s success. The more productive and happier your workforce is, the better you’ll perform.
So, consider all these factors when looking for ways to improve your office design and make it more conducive to a positive work environment.
