The environment and surroundings of your office considerably impact the productivity of the workforce. From the layout and sound levels to the colors and lighting, every minor detail determines the aesthetics and functionality of an ideal workplace which, in turn, impacts employee engagement, motivation, and satisfaction. 

While regularly analyzing and improving your office’s physical environment may seem challenging, the results are absolutely worth it. So, to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of essential elements to assist you in building an ideal workspace where both you and your employees will be at their best mentally and physically. Make sure to incorporate them into your next office renovation to see drastic improvements in the company’s output. 

Lighting 

Ample lighting has the capability to make us feel energetic, uplift moods, and improve attentiveness. As such, good lighting in the office is one of the vital aspects of good office interior design. 

Take maximum advantage of the natural light your office receives. For example, install big windows, lighten the window treatments as much as possible, and choose a layout where a majority of the workstations can be installed near the windows. 

Pair the natural light with a suitable artificial lighting scheme that isn’t too overbearing but provides consistent illumination throughout the office without leaving out any dark corners. Desk lamps, wall-mounted sconces, table lamps, and recessed ceiling lights are all good options to back up the importance of office lighting.

Check out our lighting solutions.

Sound 

A productivity research conducted by the British Gypsum found that there was a 30% decrease in stress levels and a 50% increase in people’s ability to focus with a reduction in the noise levels of a workspace. 

Consider including the following ideas in your office space planning to efficiently curb the sound distractions at your workplace: 

Install acoustic ceiling tiles to absorb sound.

Use sound-absorbing walls, panels, windows, and partitions to improve productivity by blocking noise. 

Opt for active noise control, such as music, to choose the sound type you want. Your team can mutually agree on a playlist, or you can invest in high-quality headphones. 

To enhance the calm ambiance created by sound-controlling equipment, you can introduce lovely scents, such as peppermint oils, through essential oil diffusers and candles. 

Colour

Much like lighting, colour can impact our mental well-being and health, too. While an all-white workplace might sound like a safe option, it can result in a sterile and visually boring space which can negatively impact your workers. 

Accent walls, beautiful wall hangings, bold furniture pieces, plants, etc., can be used to inject a dose of the much-needed pop of colour but remember to opt for colours that boost productivity and motivation. For example, yellow sparks creativity and boosts energy; red and orange encourage interaction and conversation; blue helps employees focus and creates a tranquil atmosphere; green calms and rejuvenates your workforce. 

Although colors can have multiple positive effects on your office interior design, a good rule of thumb is to balance the bright colors with neutral shades (such as white, grey, and cream) to avoid ending up with a hodgepodge. 

Furniture 

Typically, an average worker will spend around 8 hours at the office, and if you’re going to be at your desk all day, the choice of office system furniture will greatly impact how efficiently you can work. Therefore, an ideal workspace should be set up with all the best ergonomic furniture pieces that allow for maintaining a good posture and reduce the risk of RSI (repetitive strain injury), fatigue, and back pains. 

Invest in high-quality, comfortable seating, like task chairs, and ensure that you have an ideal desk height. When choosing chairs, look out for features like seat depth, recline ability, chair height, lumbar support, and armrests. 

Temperature 

The temperature of a workplace also has a great impact on how efficient your workers are. A study at the University of Chicago in 2018 stated that productivity levels go down by as much as 4% per degree when the temperature rises above 27 degrees Celcius. 

Try creating a comfortable working environment by adjusting the temperature according to the weather. You can create both cool and warm areas to accommodate everyone as per their preference. From simple steps like opening your windows to bigger investments like installing thermostats, you can easily maintain a suitable temperature for everyone. 

Conclusion

Among the various elements that affect your company’s output and your employees’ efficiency and competence, building an ideal workspace with the aforementioned tips is one of the most significant ones which can lead to prominent positive differences and benefits. 

Need help? Take a look at our office interior design portfolio or contact us now to flawlessly embed the aspects of an ideal workspace in the next office renovation you’re planning.