Many people underestimate the importance of a well-designed office, but the truth is that your work will be sorely affected if your workspace isn’t up to scratch. From your cubicles and desks in your space to the layout, design and comfort of its interior, multiple studies have shown that where you work matters.
However, this is no reason to panic. If you don’t have time to fully refurbish your office or you’re not sure where to start, you can always call in a professional. Full-service design and build companies like 360 Degrees will take care of everything from design to conception, resulting in an ergonomic and efficient workspace for your business that fits your budget, and makes your workforce happier.
Whether you hire an office design expert or you do the work yourself, you still need to know what changes you should implement. Here are four office design ideas to inspire your renovation.
Relaxation Space
Providing a space for employees to relax might sound counterintuitive – after all, aren’t they supposed to be working? However, research indicates that people work best with regular breaks away from their desks; so escaping those office stressors could actually enhance productivity. If you’re short on space, you could offer a multi-use room for relaxation purposes, like a lunchroom, kitchen or informal meeting room. Add a comfortable chair or sofa near a window, a coffee machine, a couple of plants and a stack of magazines. Your workers will appreciate the gesture and feel more valued as a result.
Soundproofing
Few people manage to do their best work when surrounded by distractions, so cut the noise by designing a quiet room or area. If you have the budget, you could invest in a soundproof booth or better insulation materials. Otherwise, you can simply dedicate one room to quiet activities only. You may also wish to create a space for private work or sensitive phone calls depending on the nature of your business.
Better Ergonomics
The health and wellbeing of your employees is important. Therefore you need to make sure you provide ergonomic furniture, back supports and typing aids to make your office a more comfortable place to work. Small tasks like using the photocopier, searching through files and stocking up on stationery can also shave hours off the working week when you make your space more efficient. Consider whether the placement of vital equipment and supplies helps or hinders your workday, and consider moving things around or investing in new storage solutions.
More Natural Light
Mental health is important too. Did you know that in 2016/2017, 12.5 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety? You can make your employees happier, less fatigued and much more efficient by bringing more natural light into your space. A recent report found that workers with optimised daylight exposure were two percent more productive than those without. When you think about that in monetary terms (more work produced, less time off sick), the benefits start to pile up.