March 14, 2023
Productivity and efficiency levels within your office often relate back to the working environment itself. This means that those looking to build a more engaged and productive workforce may want to consider an office makeover.
With that in mind, here are some simple ways in which you can make your office a more productive space.
A cluttered office is an unproductive office. This is because our brains subconsciously crave order and structure, and “constant visual reminders of disorganization drain our cognitive resources and reduce our ability to focus”. As a result, you should work to keep clutter to a minimum by going paperless where possible or investing in plenty of storage options.
A recent study recorded “an 11% increase in productivity as a result of fresh air to the workstation.” This is because breathing in fresh air increases the oxygen levels in our brain, which improves both energy and focus levels. You can let some more fresh air into your office by investing in an air filtration system, caring for some office plants, or simply opening the windows.
If we are uncomfortable, we are more prone to distractions as it's harder to focus on the task at hand. Therefore, you can make your office a more productive space by investing in comfortable Leather Chairs For Office use. These chairs have an ergonomic design that provides the user with excellent lumbar and neck support throughout the day, reducing tension or pain.
You can easily consider this corner the power station of your powerhouse. A small snack corner will definitely give your team an energy boost when that midday slump hits. There are different options to choose from: granola bars, nuts, fresh fruit, fresh juices. Studies show that certain vitamins are crucial to increasing concentration and focus. For instance, magnesium gummies would definitely be a great choice.
Repainting your office will obviously make the space look better, but depending on your choice of color, it could also change the office environment quite considerably. This is because our minds subconsciously attach certain feelings to different colors. For example, experts advise featuring shades of yellow or orange in your office if you’d like to improve decision-making, while green can have a calming effect.
In order to keep productivity levels high, you must focus on finding ways to keep your employees happy at work. One way in which you can achieve that goal is by making them feel comfortable or at home, such as by allowing them to add personal touches to their desks/workspace. While this may not seem that groundbreaking, a recent study found that “personalizing our spaces, especially in an open office, gives us more control and a sense of ownership over our environment that helps boost productivity.”
Different office layouts work better for different teams, depending on the kind of work you are carrying out. However, office cubicles are often disliked by the modern workforce, due to the sense of isolation they create. This can impact productivity and collaboration quite significantly. As a result, you should try to choose a layout that makes use of all space, without leaving employees feeling cramped and clustered.
Each member of your workforce will likely take a slightly different approach to work. This means that it can be difficult to create a work environment that works for everyone. For example, some people may prefer to work in silence, while others find that music and light noise allows them to stay on track. Similarly, some employees may prefer to work at a standing desk, while others prefer to sit down. By having various different workstations throughout your office, you give your employees the option to choose and move around as necessary. As a result, it can be a great way to increase overall productivity and employee satisfaction.
Much like fresh air, exposure to natural light is also famed for its ability to boost productivity levels. This is because exposure to natural light increases our production of serotonin, which leaves us to feel happier, less stressed, and consequently, more productive. Thankfully, there are various ways in which you can utilize natural light in your office without having to drag your desk outdoors. For example, you could replace heavyweight curtains with blinds, or simply ensure that they are open during the day, even when the sun may not be shining.
Keeping your office clean is about more than reducing clutter, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, given that employees are more concerned than ever regarding hygiene standards. As such, it's hardly surprising that 94% of workers feel more productive in a clean workspace. This means that you should ensure that the office is cleaned daily, outside of operational hours. This way whenever employees return to their desks, they’re met with a clean, welcoming environment.