Creating a more functional workspace design

Functional office space enables employees to get things done as effectively and efficiently as possible. This explains why your workspace looks can also impact an employees productivity.

For one, the condition of their workspace can impact their concentration. It can also affect their motivation to work.

Employees want to work in a quality workspace that is less stressful and allows them to be more productive. When companies invest in the physical work environment, they create a space that feels more comfortable, calm and supports them to produce their best work. If you see that your people are not as productive as they should be maybe it is a sign that it is time to re-organize your office space.

1. Explore People’s Work Styles

When creating a balanced workplace, think about the purpose of each space. First, you need to recognize how your business operates. Do you have multiple departments? One obvious start is to group departments together to cultivate inter-team collaboration. Next step, do those departments have a similar working environment with other departments in your organization? Think about putting those teams near each other. For example, if you have a sales and/or customer support department(s) that are frequently on the phone working with customers and potential customers, they should be in proximity to one another as the noise level won’t distract each other from their work. Sitting a department that works quietly next to a department that is required to be making frequent phone calls will make both departments uncomfortable and unhappy.

2. Let There Be Light

When it comes to functional spaces, lighting is paramount. Lighting affects many aspects of work-life, from productivity to mental health and workplace safety.

Natural light improves mood, boosts vitamin D, and supports the body’s circadian rhythm. Cornell University found that office workers with natural daylight reported that an 84% decrease in headaches, eye strain, and blurred vision. in situations where there is limited natural light, you can opt for "blue-enriched" artificial lights. Such artificial lights resemble daylight. It can also support mental acuity and counteract the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

3. Add a Splash of Color

Some offices use color to reflect the company's company culture. It can also help increase productivity and creativity. Most of the time, people stick with their company’s brand colors, which is also acceptable in itself.

However, you can also utilize color in office design more practically by tapping into color theory. According to Very Well Mind, natural colors like green can evoke optimism, and compassion, orange can be very attention-grabbing, exude warmth. In contrast, white can convey cleanliness, simplicity, but on the flip side, white can seem stark, cold, and isolated. When selecting colors, think about the purpose and function of the space and then match the right color to align with your company brand.

4. Encourage Hydration

The human adult body is made up of 60% water. According to the Journal Of Biological Chemistry, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water and the lungs 83%. Water serves as a vital nutrient to the life of every cell, regulates our internal body temperature, and assists in flushing waste. It also assists our ability to focus, keeps us aware and alert to be more productive in work and life. Within the workplace, companies can provide filtered water coolers or consider providing top quality, toxin-free BPA free water bottles to allow employees to refill, save money, and reduce waste.

5 Use comfortable office furniture

There’s more focus on how the office looks outside, which doesn't matter to employees unless they have visitors. There is also a lack of consideration in office design for noise levels and acoustics. Mind you, this can make some employees distracted and unfocused.

Companies need to start designing offices that look good and let their employees feel comfortable and productive at work. You can start with investing in comfortable and ergonomic office furniture.

6 Keep essential items within reach

Functional office space is about organizing your desk and keeping all the essential items within reach. You can keep office essentials like a stapler, paperclips, pens, and highlighters within arm’s reach. This is to ensure that you don’t have to spend time looking for one when you need it.

One of the excellent ways to keep your desk organized is to store all of your stationery supplies in neat containers or drawers. Doing so lets you grab what you need when you need it without having to search through messy drawers or piles of papers.

7. Provide a Space to Relax

The workspace has a significant effect on how we think, work, and behave. When we create spaces that that optimizes mental health , there can be improvements in focus, collaboration, and creativity. For offices with a lot space, generating relaxation spaces to allow people to de-stress and design outdoor areas where people can congregate to socialize or celebrate achievements. By offering people an area to recharge, companies are making a positive impact on employee wellbeing.

In conclusion a workspace can have a profound impact on how people behave. When companies provide an innovative and thoughtfully designed workspace, there is a positive impact on your company’s bottom line.

To leverage workplace performance, companies must think about the workplace as an ecosystem of spaces where people can have a choice and control over where and how they work. When this occurs, people feel supported, perform at their best, and it's where the magic happens.

Thank you for taking the time to explore the insights shared in our recent article on redefining office spaces ! If you've been inspired and are considering transforming your office space, feel free to reach out. Our team is passionate about bringing design visions to life and creating spaces that reflect your style and needs. We'd love to discuss how we can assist you in achieving your office interior design goals. Let's make your dream space a reality!