There are many factors that influence employee productivity, but few are more impactful than the worker’s physical environment. Creating a more comfortable office environment can boost mood, increase productivity, and even improve employees’ physical health. Read on to find out how to get started.
Let In the Light
Dark, gloomy offices aren’t just less pleasant to work in. They can also be detrimental to employees’ productivity. Installing new fixtures and switching over to full-spectrum office lighting by installing fluorescent tube covers can go a long way towards illuminating even offices that don’t have many windows.
Inject Some Colour
Research shows that every colour elicits a different emotional response, so changing up the colour palette in the office can be a quick and affordable way to boost productivity. Shades of green and blue are known to sharpen focus, while yellow can stimulate creativity.
The best part is, there’s no need to repaint the whole office to take advantage of color psychology. It’s perfectly fine to stick with calming, neutral hues on the wall and add colourful artwork or office accessories to influence employees’ moods.
Get Comfy
Try to make the office space as comfortable as possible. Even small changes like purchasing more comfortable ergonomic furniture can go a long way towards creating a more motivating work environment. It’s also a good idea to allow employees to bring photos of their families or pets and personal items that make them feel happy and leave them in their work areas.
Declutter Workspaces
While it’s perfectly fine, and even encouraged, to let employees keep a few photos or personal items on their desks, too much clutter can be a serious impediment to productivity. Wasting time searching through seemingly infinite stacks of documents to find just one scrap of information can reduce concentration, increase stress, and waste a ton of time. Encourage employees to keep their desks tidy and think about going paperless to reduce unnecessary clutter.
Use Scents Wisely
Aromatherapy used to be considered the province of aging hippies and new-age practitioners, but it turns out that their seemingly wacky theories hit the mark. Science shows that certain scents can stimulate brain activity and increase productivity. Try purchasing an essential oil diffuser and using subtle, uplifting scents like lemon, lavender, and jasmine to keep workers on task.
Introduce Some Greenery
Adding a few plants to the office can go a long way towards improving its ambiance and livening up the work environment. Some types of plants, such as mother-in-law’s tongue and peace lilies, can also purify the air of contaminants quite effectively. Choose potted plants that don’t need much light or ongoing care to thrive and don’t forget to water them once in a while.
Simple Changes Add Up to Serious Ambiance Improvements
Unless the office is dramatically outdated or no longer able to accommodate the company’s employees, there’s no need to spend a small fortune on renovations. Instead, try to focus on those aspects of the work environment that will have the most impact on workers’ daily lives. The suggestions above are a great place to start, and creative managers should have no trouble finding other ways to make minor improvements that will produce major results.