Office Design for Productivity 

The office landscape continues to change. Workplaces are being designed to foster more connection, creativity and engagement. Creating an office space that is both productive and comfortable for your employees must consider a variety of factors.

At a basic level, an office design for productivity will promote collaboration and creativity, while a poorly designed office can lead to employee stress, frustration and lower productivity. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing your office for maximum productivity:

Promote collaboration with an open floor plan. 

If your current floorplan has many private offices, consider opening things up a bit to encourage more interaction between employees. Think about creating small meeting spaces throughout the office so that employees have a huddle space for meetings and brainstorming.

An open floor plan encourages collaboration and communication between employees. This also allows for natural light to enter the space, which has been shown to boost productivity. If you're not able to get natural light, consider investing in some high-quality office lighting.

Create a variety of work spaces.

Not every employee works best seated at a desk. Some may prefer to stand at a height-adjustable table - which has been shown to be a healthier alternative to sitting all day, while others may prefer to work in a lounge area. Creating a variety of work spaces allow employees to find the best work environment for their needs.

When it comes to furniture, it's important to choose pieces that fit different work styles, provide proper support and are ergonomic. In reality, uncomfortable employees may feel worse, will spend more time trying to make an environment work and are less likely to be productive.

Flexible furniture, such as standing desks and mobile workstations, encourage employees to move around during the day. This has been shown to boost energy levels and increase productivity.

Reduce noise with sound-absorbing, acoustic materials.

Noise can be a major distraction in the workplace. Using sound-absorbing materials, such as hanging privacy screens, ceiling baffling and noise-cancelling systems, can greatly help reduce noise levels and create a more focused work environment.

Additionally, you can minimize noise distractions by the way in which you arrange the office. Consider designating small private spaces for making phone calls (phone booths) or holding meetings (high-backed sofas).

Bring nature into the office.

Studies have shown that exposure to nature can reduce stress levels and increase productivity. Adding plants (biophelia) to the office, or even incorporating a nature-inspired design, can help create a more welcoming, soothing and productive work environment.

Not only do plants help improve focus, but they can also help purify the air. Indoor plants can help remove harmful toxins from the air, making the office a healthier place to be.

Use color to create positive moods.

Color can have a big impact on mood. Incorporating your company’s colors into the office design can help create a positive and productive work environment.

Additionally, studies have shown that certain colors can have an impact on mood, so you could benefit to choose a furniture color scheme that promotes collaboration, like light grays or reds while dark blue and brown are often good choices for heads-down, focused work.

Implementing only a few of these tips can help create an office design for productivity that is stylish too. By creating a space that is comfortable and conducive to work, you can create an office that your employees will love to go to and to work in.

Ready to renovate your office space? Contact PURE Workplace today at 816.922.6575 or drop us an email to speak with an experienced teammate.