Creating the perfect office space for your team will have a huge impact on the way that they work, as you can either help them to thrive or hold them back from achieving their full potential.
Your surroundings naturally influence our productivity, which is why its crucial we take the time to get it right.
Thankfully, this guide contains some of the best steps that you can follow to create the most amazing workspace for your staff that is welcoming & productive. You’ll be able to inspire productivity and focus like never before when you can utilize these tips and ideas. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to discover more!
Here’s how to optimize your workspace to be more productive at work.
Color Matters
The colors that you choose for your office will have a huge impact on the atmosphere of the space itself, as certain shades are better suited than others. For example, red is a tone that is far too intense and distracting for an office. On the other hand, colors such as blue and green are much more suitable, as they are said to be balancing tones that can help to encourage better focus and concentration.
It’s a good idea to take some time to look into color psychology, as this way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision regarding what shades to use in your new office space.
Create an Open Space
A cramped workspace is not fun for anyone. While it doesn’t have to be overly spacious, gone are the days of little cubicles and compartments that make employees feel stressed, restricted, and like they’re in a confining cage. Open up the area so you and your staff can enjoy the space freely and move around without the constant fear of bumping into desks and filing cabinets. Also, an open office space makes for more open and easy communication.
Harness Natural Light
It’s all too common to find harsh LED spotlights or garish fluorescent strip lights in an office space. These kinds of lights can trigger all manner of negative side effects, from eye strain to head aches and even migraines too.
One source of light that is unlikely to offer your team any trouble is natural sunlight. You probably have at least a couple of windows in your workspace that could be opened to let in heaps of natural light, and your team will actually be benefiting from the change in several ways. Sunshine offers important vitamin D, as well as helping to regulate your natural circadian rhythm – this means better sleep, and more alert wakefulness during the daytime. Ideal! It’s worth noting that you’ll also be cutting your running costs and using less energy for more eco-friendly operations too. What’s not to love?!
Focus on Quality over Quantity
Scrimping on your office furniture is a terrible mistake to make, as leaving your staff feeling uncomfortable with various aches and pains will no doubt distract them from the task at hand. It’s vital that you can take the time to search for top quality office furniture that is functional, comfortable and can stand the test of time, as this will ensure that your team can sit down and start working without any issues.
You’ll need some desks that are large enough to hold whatever devices and paperwork your staff use, and it’s a good idea to opt for height-adjustable desks that can be changed to suit your employees unique preferences. Invest in some quality chairs that boast headrests and armrests with good back support, avoiding cheap and flimsy plastic that’s bound to bend or snap.
Inspire & Motivate
Leaving your walls blank is certainly not going to inspire and motivate your staff to work hard in their new office space, so you need to utilize the opportunity to encourage your team to reach their full potential. A great way to do this is by printing off and framing some motivational quotes that you can hang up on your walls, as they’ll be inspired to get back to it any time their eyes wander away from their work.
You can also suggest that your team members bring in their own photographs or nicknacks that inspire them, as keeping a picture of your family on your desk is a good way to remind yourself what you’re working for!
Keep It Clean
Last but by no means least, you should always take the time to keep your new office space clean if you want your team to work well, as a dirty, disorganized mess is no doubt going to distract and disrupt your team. Hire a team of commercial cleaners who can come by each evening to perform a light clean of your office, wiping down desks and door handles and vacuuming or mopping the floor.
Aim to do regular deep cleans too, as this can minimize office flu episodes and help keep your stuff safe from bacteria and infections that could fester over time.
Think about the Décor
While décor may be low on your priority list, and dependent on your budget, even the simplest of objects can have a considerable effect. Consider well-placed artwork or prints on your walls to break up large expanses of wall space, an interesting sculpture or statue to act as a talking piece, and a plant or two to add some variety to an otherwise lifeless area.
Get personal.
Personalizing your space can increase your emotional connection to your work. It also can add to our ability to relax and become highly focussed at work. Therefore we want to give staff the opportunity to add some personal touches to the space. But it’s also important to not let the personal touches become much and start creating clutter.
No employee is the same; there is no approach to office layouts, design or functionality that suit everyone. Giving your employees the flexibility to not be in the office during the entirety of the workday, letting them have some plants and personal touches, and giving them space to breathe, be creative, and express themselves will make employees want to be more productive, and it helps them be more successful in achieving that goal.
Final Thoughts
Creating the most perfect office space that your team is sure to love has never been such a simple task when you can utilize some of the excellent recommendations that have been carefully described above!
OTHER ARTICLES YOU MAY ENJOY
How high (or low) is your self-confidence really?
Crappy night’s sleep? 8 ways to have a cracking day anyway
Articles written by our internal Daily Guru writers, who are certified & qualified growth & development professionals.