As people continue to study the impact of a physical space on productivity, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the layout and look of your office can play a major role in your employees’ productivity. In order to inspire your staffers to churn out their best work, consider the following tips:
Focus on comfort
While you don’t want your team members to be tempted to grab a nap in the middle of the day, when they’re in stiff chairs in bright fluorescent lights, it can make getting creative a challenge. Focus on the aesthetics of your office and you’ll find that your employees enjoy their time at work more. Invest in high-quality desks and comfortable chairs. Make sure lighting is effective yet not overpowering, and place an emphasis on amenities (everyone loves a free snack or drink from time to time).
Keep it clean
A clean office makes it much easier to focus and get down to business. If the work environment feels chaotic, it makes it much harder for a staff member to dig deep into a presentation or enjoy a brainstorming session. Make it a point to get rid of any unnecessary clutter in the office. Come up with an effective filing system, recycle old electronics or office furniture, and make sure the space is cleaned regularly. Though it may not seem like these things matter, they do.
Don’t be afraid to play with color
Many employers opt to go with beige or tan colors in the office, not realizing that color has a powerful impact on how staff members feel during the workday. In fact, psychologists have spent plenty of time studying the impact of color on creativity and productivity. According to the Color Affects System, developed by color psychologist Angela Wright, blue stimulates the mind, green calms it, and yellow inspires creativity. Instead of resorting to traditional tones, try mixing it up in order to foster new energy in the office.
Add some plant life
Offices can look stark, particularly when there’s a lack of color. To liven things up a bit, try adding some plants to the office. The bright green helps to make the space feel alive and fresh, which is important when your team is spending most of the day indoors.
If you want to breathe new life into your office, try getting creative with color and adding some plants to the space. Ensure that your employees are comfortable during the day and that the space is kept clean, and you’ll start to see productivity and creativity levels rise.