Creating a crisp, clean work space with plenty of storage and natural light are key to increase productivity in the work place. A few minor design tweaks here and there can often do the trick in increasing the employee creativity and motivation levels.
Tip #1 A Clutter-free desk
A clutter-free desk can impart less distraction, more latitude, fresh opportunities, and makes your employees feel more organised for the day. Though adopting the concept of ‘paperless’ office can achieve its own results, there are a few things that you can do to maintain a clutter-free desk such as reducing the number of office items, using drawers and using effective filing systems.
Tip #2 Focus on the office ergonomics
The goal of office ergonomics is to design your workstation in such a way so as to maximise productivity and efficiency and create a comfortable working environment. The everyday office chair must offer support to your spinal curves. Place key objects including phone, printed materials, or stationery well within your reach, so that you don’t have to stand up every time to pick something for use. Learn and use keyboard shortcuts so that you can reduce the use of mouse to some extent, or adjust mouse’s sensitivity for light touch operation.
Use a headset for long phone conversations. Too high a seating chair means you need to adjust the height of your chair and go for a footrest or stool. If you find the desk too low, adjust the height by inserting sturdy blocks or board under its legs. In case your desk has a hard edge, use a wrist rest or pad the edges suitably.
Tip #3 Introduce Potted Plants
Plants can lend a strong visual statement to an otherwise muted and colourless office environment. Offices with small indoor plants have improved air quality, whilst at the same time, they impart the needed focus on work by reducing stress and enhancing productivity. Larger often work to create useful separations between workspaces and add to the overall peace of mind at the workplace.
Tip #4 Maximise the Natural Light
The importance of natural light in the workspace has grown tremendously and its benefits vary from enhancing employee’s health, mood levels, office productivity to energy savings. Research studies have shown that offices exposed to natural lights or brightly lit lights result in employees sleeping better at night, positive behavioural attitude and higher levels of well-being, improved immunity against flu, increased focus and work quality, enhanced creativity levels and improved power conservation. The office design should ensure there is sufficient natural light flowing through the work space for improved illumination, and that their employees are seated next to windows any time.
Tip #5 Pay attention to the colours
An office environment is highly expressive when it is branded with bold colours. Add a splash of colour to a wall, desk or floor for a simulating brainstorming session or a client meet. Sort of a confidence booster, it can even narrow down employee’s attention to the granular details and enable them to be more work-oriented. Remember that each colour produces different psychological results, and it is important to select the right colour or a combination of colours to achieve the desired results.
Green – Green is often related to broad, creative thinking. There seems to be a connection between nature and re-growth. Therefore, if you want your employees to stay more focused and growth-driven, then you should be eyeing on all-green run for those productive moments.
Blue – Blue is predominantly linked to creative tasks such as brainstorming, and represents peace, openness and tranquillity. There is an air of trust and confidence associated with blue colour, especially when forging new ties, and handling negotiation or deals in a corporate set-up.
Red – Red is perfect for tasks that requires attention to details like proof-reading. It is also associated with exercising caution and dealing with errors. Why not bring in red accents into the meeting rooms and desking areas?
Yellow – Not many know that certain spaces within the office buildings when painted with yellow tint can lift one’s self-esteem and spirit. Also, research studies show that staff feel more comfortable moving in a partly yellowish office set-up. Yellow tone is also said to dispel anxiety and fear and reinforce sharp decision-making.
A little knowledge of the right use of colours in an office environment can produce the desired visual and business results, whilst being fun and invigorating.
Tip #6 Keep it Open-Plan
The layout of an office space can impact the way business is conducted. There are certain pros and cons to both types of office plans. Office management needs to decide which layout is conducive to their specific business model. Closed office spaces promote hierarchal order and make it clear-cut. With a closed office layout, there are fewer distractions around and a greater sense of security as there is increased privacy. As a result, there is a greater focus, enhanced employee engagement and lowered inattentiveness.
Open spaces, on the other hand, foster better collaboration, communication and happiness. Most start-ups prefer an open space layout in a co-working space set-up. There is greater interaction and less physical barriers to move around freely, share ideas, and seek assistance whenever there is a need.
There is only a thin line that separates a productive office from an inefficient one. Smart businesses understand the significance of an effective office design and maximise their workspace integrating space saving tips and organization solution. Get in touch with our professional consultants today; we can help you design a productive office space and enhance work productivity in no time.
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