If you’re a business owner, how do you think your employees feel when they get to work every day? Are they energized and ready to start the day, or do they have a crippling feeling of dread that makes them nauseous?
Too many people (around 50% in fact) work in places that make them unhappy. While you can’t change the job your employees do, you can change the environment that they work in. So what can you do to make it more pleasant?
Keep reading to learn about what you can do to improve your office layout and maximize employee productivity.
Prioritize Movement
Many employees go to work and feel glued to their desks throughout the entirety of the day. By creating an office space that prioritizes movement, you’ll help give your office a more organic feel.
Modern offices understand that productivity has no correlation with time. Instead of forcing your workers to stay at their desks until they finish something, encourage them to get up and get moving.
If you can’t redesign your entire office space, consider taking simple steps to prioritize movement. This can mean putting the copier or fax machine on the other side of the office or placing the water cooler in a central location where everyone has to move to use it.
Get Better Lighting
When most people think of traditional offices, they think of dimly lit buildings with fluorescent bulbs beating down on them from above. Don’t let your office be a part of this mold.
Make sure to provide your employees with plenty of light to do their work. Poor lighting can contribute to fatigue, headaches, eye strain, and many other problems.
If you can, try to let natural light shine into your office. You won’t have to worry about paying for it, and it will make your employees happier. If your office doesn’t have access to natural light, look into different types of indirect lighting.
Add Plants
Too many offices feel sterile and lifeless. This can rub off on your employees, and in turn, hamper their efficiency. Bringing plants into the office helps to combat this.
Plants help employees feel that the place where they spend 30 the majority of the time isn’t devoid of life. They reduce stress, improve creativity levels, and make workspaces more appealing to job applicants.
Aside from giving imaginative benefits, plants can also have a direct impact on employee wellbeing. They can improve the air quality of the room they’re in, help stabilize humidity levels, and do a number of other things.
Lift up the Ceilings
Are you designing a new office, or do you have the power to remodel your old one? If you do, make sure to raise the ceilings.
When ceilings are too low, they make employees (and people in general) feel trapped. Studies have shown that lifting them up to ten feet or higher can help your employees focus better, as well as express themselves creatively.
Most businesses need creative minds and more focused employees. If you’re able to swing it, raising the ceilings can have a huge impact on your workers. Take a look at some of these layout designs for improved efficiency.
Control Noise Levels
One of the caveats about open-plan office spaces is that noise is hard to control. The conversation that the accounting team has carries over to the sales department, regardless of where or not they want to hear it.
When workers have to deal with less noise, they’re more productive. They also have higher job satisfaction, less stress, and improved morale.
Look into getting sound masking systems around the office.
These work to cut down on noise by covering up speech. If that’s too expensive of a venture, you can also look into adding plants. These will also do a good job of cutting down on some of the noise.
Don’t Ignore Basic Employee Needs
Most modern offices provide employees with access to coffee, tea, and water. However, many companies can consider taking this a step further.
By supplying your team with beverages and food, you’ll help keep them healthier and happier. This means fewer sick days, better focus, and higher energy levels.
Don’t worry about providing your employees with lunch every day (although that would be nice). Instead, consider encouraging hydration, providing healthy snacks, and offering a free lunch a few times a week. These sorts of small steps will do wonders for worker efficiency.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
The colors of your walls, flooring, and furniture can have a huge impact on worker productivity. If your color scheme ranges from dark gray to light gray, it might be time for some renovation.
Studies have found that green can help boost creativity, while blue can help with productivity. Consider doing some research on color psychology to figure out what will be most effective for your employees.
At the very least, a fresh coat of paint can help breathe some life into your office. You want your space to feel bright and airy, as opposed to old and dingy.
Create an Effective Office Layout to Boost Productivity
The right office layout can maximize employee productivity and efficiency, while the wrong one can make your employees dread going to work every day. By following this guide and incorporating some of the office layout design tips mentioned, you’ll create a space that your workers enjoy being in.
Do you now have a better understanding of some different office layout ideas? If you do, make sure to check out some of our other articles for more helpful guides and tips.
