How Decor and Office Setup Affects Morale

A person over the age of 20 spends about 90,000 hours almost one-third of their life at the office. An office in every sense is your second home. Your desk is your personal space and staring at the same charm-less space every day for years and years may get tiring. The psychology behind office design is complex yet fascinating. Colours, lighting, and layout can affect mood, focus, and overall job satisfaction. Choosing the right combination of these elements is key to fostering a positive atmosphere and boost employee morale and motivation.

Close your eyes and picture an office. If you have worked or currently work in an office, you must have an idea of what one looks like. Also, almost certainly you have a vision of what YOUR ideal version of an office would look like, based on your requirements and needs. A game room perhaps? Bean bags in a corner office? Space for cute little succulent plants on your desk?

Allowing employees to personalise their workspaces can contribute to a sense of ownership and comfort. Whether it's family photos, plants, or artwork, these personal touches of desk decor can make the office feel less sterile and more inviting. Ergonomic furniture is also crucial for physical well-being and can prevent discomfort or health issues caused by prolonged sitting.

The modern office landscape is all about intentional design, where every element, from furniture to colour scheme, plays a part in shaping employee experience. Although an office is largely utilitarian, colours, artwork and overall aesthetics contribute significantly to an employee’s productivity. While a utilitarian and surgical monochrome environment may have a sleek and classy aesthetic, it can also have some negative psychological effects on individuals over time. A lack of colour variation may lead to a sense of monotony and boredom, because everywhere you look, it’s the same. Colours can evoke emotional responses, and a monochrome environment might lack the emotional diversity that a more varied colour palette provides. The atmosphere feels dull and uninspiring. As a result, creativity, productivity and motivation are greatly affected. Warm colours like red and orange are known to promote energy and creativity, while cool colours like blue and green can create a calming atmosphere.

Let’s talk about biophilic design. It is a concept that delves into how an environment is constructed to fit the physical and psychological needs of the occupants by bringing in a more natural and dynamic environment into the workplace. Examples include, bringing in plant life, letting in natural light, furniture that encourages employees to work from anywhere and even having a pet friendly space. Basically, a biophilic model aims to break the shackles that tie an employee to the desk.?

After acquiring a shiny, brand-new office from PropReturns, “what is the best office decor for my business?”, you might ask. Functionality is the word of the hour. A careful ballet that blends aesthetics with ergonomics and utility can foster a comfortable yet classy and professional work environment. Take a leaf out of the Selgascano Architecture Office in Madrid, Spain (see picture). This might be an extreme example of biophilic design where instead of bringing a little bit of nature into the workplace, the workplace is placed right in the middle of a forest. This offers a calm and serene work environment that allows employees to connect with nature and the outdoors while working.?

Not everyone works best in the same environment. Some people need quiet, private spaces to focus, while others thrive in collaborative, open-plan settings. Create a variety of spaces in your office to accommodate different working styles. This could include quiet rooms, games rooms, and outdoor break areas. Pinterest has plenty of office desk decoration ideas for you to personalise your cubicle and make it your own. That being said, overall morale and employee well being depends on the office in general.?

A happy and motivated workforce is a company's greatest asset. Investing in a well-designed and thoughtfully decorated office space is not just an aesthetic choice but a strategic decision that pays dividends in employee morale, satisfaction and performance. So, take the time to assess your current workspace and make the necessary changes to create a positive, inspiring, and productive environment for your team. Share your thoughts! How has your office decor affected your morale?