5 Ways Improving Your Office Space Can Boost Productivity

By Anthony Roebuck

The average adult spends a considerable amount of time at work. In fact, over the course of a lifetime, a person can spend the equivalent of 11 consecutive years behind the same desk.

With employees spending so much of their day in one building, it is no wonder a dull and lackluster environment could be affecting the way they approach their work. Seeing the workplace as a second home is not unusual, considering the amount of time spent there, so the design and structure of your office should really reflect this. After all, you wouldn’t want your family to live in a cramped cubicle for hours on end.

When it comes to the architecture of your office, you need to think about the mood it is creating. Small, artificially lit areas are an instant productivity drain, as your employees won’t be in the right frame of mind to express themselves. Understanding that minor improvements in setting can make a major difference to productivity is often key to getting the most from your staff.

Let Your Creative Team Breathe

Creativity is not something that can be forced out in a crowded office environment. However, many traditional layouts see departments such as marketing and copywriting confined to the center of the pack, with senior executives occupying the window-lit exterior.

One study showed that employees who worked in windowed offices spent 15 percent longer staying on task than those subjected to more enclosed spaces. This marked improvement in productivity signals the need for your idea people to be located closer to the outside world.

Of course, that isn’t to say your execs should go without natural light. Installing interior windows, which allow a clear view through to the outer ones, can be an effective solution.

Choose a Softer Approach

Bold, intrusive colors have been found to overstimulate workers, prompting a trend towards softer shades. The color red is certainly one to avoid, as reports suggest it is linked to increased levels of anxiety and an inability to focus on mental tasks. But this doesn’t mean you should opt for the exact opposite. An employee surrounded on all sides by spotless white is even more likely to see a reduction in morale, due to the clinical feel of the paint.

On the whole, you are better off choosing warmer colors, such as a subtle shade of blue. Not only is blue regarded as the most productive color, in low saturation it can have a very soothing effect.

Don’t Settle for Restrictive Office Furniture

The comfort of your staff is paramount to the amount of work they are likely to produce. If an employee is constantly having to adjust his chair or is confined to a solitary seat all day, he's not going to be at the top of his game. Installing furniture that allows freedom and movement can be a great way to keep your team on task. It could simply mean upgrading from fixed seating to adjustable chairs, or it could also lead to a whole new office layout.

The numbers of hours sitting behind a desk should not be a measure of productivity. In order to coax the most innovation from your brain, you need to experience the world from more than one vantage point. Studies have actually shown that sitting for more than three hours a day can cause serious health problems; having somewhere to relieve some of this tension will boost both your employees’ well being and their productivity.

Design a space where staff can walk around with a tablet, phone, or even just a cup of coffee and watch their creativity blossom.

Design to Reduce Distractions

Once the hum of the printer or the chatter from the water cooler gets into your head, it can be very difficult to focus on anything else. Shaping your work space to avoid these kinds of distractions can result in a far more harmonious environment.

Try to keep communal areas separate from employee cubicles, in order to minimize the noise that filters through them. If you are working in a restricted space, consider ways to dampen the sound. Eliminating hard surfaces in favor of fabric partitions can be one solution, or alternatively you could look to bring in more potted plants. Both materials are effective acoustic sponges and will immediately soak up any excessive noise.

Create a Better Atmosphere

It’s all well and good shifting desks and promoting creativity, but if you haven’t got the basics in place then everything else will fall short. Keeping your rooms well ventilated and maintaining a steady temperature will ensure your employees feel comfortable throughout the day.

Designs that encourage better airflow and place employees in areas of optimum ventilation will result in a far more comfortable working environment. Designing a building that uses cross-ventilation to actively dispel hot air from its walls can save you a considerable amount of money compared to the installation of an air-conditioning system. Other environmental factors to keep in mind include light intensity and humidity.

By understanding the needs of your workers, you can begin to create the perfect setting for your workplace. Just remember, if you want your employees to work hard, then make staying focused as easy as possible.