How to Create a Workspace That Improves Productivity

Your surroundings influence your productivity. Here's how to optimize your workspace to be more productive at work.

Productivity is the heart and soul of a business. If you want your employees to improve their productivity, it could come down to the structure and setting of your office. Not just the location, either, but the layout of office furniture and equipment, the flow between employee space, and the overall vibe of your office. 

Luckily, there are resources out there to boost your business's productivity levels and make your office a place where your employees want to get their work done. Keep reading for tips and advice on how to accomplish that.

1. Don't focus too much on the physical layout.

While physical space is certainly important, it's also critical that you cultivate an atmosphere of productivity in your workplace. This means generating excitement about your company mission and communicating to employees that they are integral to achieving those goals.

2. Create opportunities for movement.

"The best way that I stay focused during a long day of work is to acknowledge when I've hit a productivity wall and to take lots of short, quick breaks to gain a new perspective on what I'm working on," said Jamie Fertsch, director and co-founder of XDesk a U.S.-based company that creates customized, ergonomic desks out of environmentally friendly materials. 

3. Get a plant.

No, really! An assortment of plants isn't just for pretty social media photos. They serve a great benefit in an office as well. 

"I like to make my space feel a little more alive," Fertsch explained. She stated that houseplants are not a traditional method of creating a productive workspace, but that doesn't mean their impact is imaginary. 

4. Give gadgets a home.

Smartphones, tablets and other gadgets can help you stay organized and efficient, but they can also be a big distraction and time-waster. For Fertsch, the best way to avoid this wasted time is to find a home for gadgets and leave them there. 

5. Keep your space clean.

If you're sitting in a messy area thinking about how messy your area is and how you should clean it, you're probably not getting a lot of work done. 

"Take a few minutes every day to tidy up your workspace," Fertsch said. "You can do this by throwing out unnecessary items and maintaining whatever organization system suits your style, so those extra distractions and clutter don't bog." 

6. Get personal.

Personalizing your space – in moderation, of course – can increase your emotional connection to your work, but it's important to not let the personal touches become the clutter that Lieback warns against. 

"While items that you don't frequently use shouldn't take up valuable desk real estate, I still like to tailor my space to appeal to my visual side," Fertsch said.