How interior design of an office can affect the productivity of the employees?

The workplace is where people collaborate, solve problems, and thrive. While many factors go into these actions of productivity of the employees of a workspace , interior design is one of the major factors of an office that can significantly impact the productivity and performance of the employees. According to? (Becker, 1981). Workplace Interior design is a key factor in job satisfaction. It affects the way in which employee's work. Workplace design may enhance organizational success by creating a workplace that supports work quality, quantity and style, while improving turnover and absentee rates.

A ?study revealed that the vast majority of employees (96 %) believe that superior office design leads to superior overall performance, and also makes a company more competitive. According to the results, 44 % of the respondents believe that their overall productivity will increase more than 50% if the related office design problems are solved, and about 52 % of the respondents believe that their performance will be increased from 30% to 10%, making it an average of about 33.75%. However, employees who believe that the workplace design has no effect on their performance were 4%.which indicates that good workplace design can make a substantial difference in staff performance, and consequently has a positive impact on the corporations’ productivity.?

There are several aspects of the interior design that can affect your productivity which are-

1. Effect of light- Studies have shown that altering the (lit) atmosphere of a space can change social behavior in both positive and negative ways as-

• Page and Moss (1976) found that dark environments can lead to aggression
• ?A study by Baron, Rea and Daniels (1992) found that dimly lit environments could increase positive judgements of others.??
• ?Steidle and colleagues demonstrated how cooperation and creativity became more likely in dim conditions, as a result of grounded and embodied cognitions

?Thus proper lighting is essential for the comfort and productivity of employees.

A study conducted by the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell showed that employees seated within 10 feet of a window reported an 84% decrease in eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision symptoms.A study from Future Workplace backs Harvard’s findings, reporting that a direct view of natural light can increase the following factors:

• Employee wellness by 78%
• Job satisfaction by 73%
• Performance by 70%
• Organizational commitment by 54%

??Natural light is known to increase productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction. Studies have shown that employees who work in a well-lit environment are more alert, focused, and productive. Additionally, adjustable lighting that can be adjusted to suit individual preferences and tasks is ideal.

2. ?Effect of indoor temperatures on performance- Effect of indoor temperatures on performance- various studies have shown that indoor temperatures can have an impact on both health and performance of an individual in a workplace thus decreasing productivity. Discomfort factors can decrease employees‘ focus on their work. From the literature review by researchers indicate that productivity decreases by 2% per each degree over 25degree C and presented the link between a decrement in productivity and high indoor temperature.

3. ?Influence of color in an office environment -? The use colours in an office can affect the productivity as-

• ???Garris and Monroe (2005) state that colour influences not only mood but also wellness and productivity
• ?As mentioned by Syahrul Nizam & Emma Marinie (2010), colours also affect psychological aspects of the building‘s occupants. Some colours provide calmness, some provide comfort, some are stimulating and many others have an impact in different ways. This means that color will affect the mood of the occupant of the space.While the presence of color in your environment can impact the workplace, so does the lack of color! In fact, working in offices with a neutral chromatic atmosphere, like gray, will increase the risk of burnout by 15% and decrease productivity by 12%.????
• ??O‘Brien (2007), suggests that a blue office is ideal for someone who must focus and concentrate on numbers, green is a great choice for a management office as it has a balancing effect, and yellow is suitable for sales offices. Therefore, the color scheme chosen for a workplace or an office must be made with proper consideration to produce better quality of work.

4. Noise as a psychosocial stress - Studies have shown that when sound is turned off, errors in work are reduced and productivity increases. A way to reduce noise is use of Acoustic Panels: Excessive noise can be a major distraction and reduce productivity. Acoustic panels are sound-absorbing materials that can be installed on walls, ceilings, and floors to reduce noise levels. These panels can help to create a quieter and more productive workspace.. With auditory distractions reduced and/or eliminated, employees reported a 25% increase in satisfaction with their overall work environment and a 27% reduction in stress. On the whole, worker productivity increased an average of nearly 20% (article)

5.?Influence of interior plants on employees -Relf. D. (1990) reports that interaction with plants, both passive and active, can change human attitudes, behaviors, and physiological responses . The stress-reducing benefits of passively viewing plants in natural settings are well documented thus can help to reduce stress in a workplace and can improve productivity of the employees

?A UK study found bringing plants into the workplace increased productivity by 15%. Meanwhile, a US study found 10% of employee sick days could be explained by a lack of nature and natural light in the office.Just being able to see nature has proven impacts too. In an analysis of 10 UK studies, every paper found greenery had a positive effect on mood. It also found being around nature gave a big live to self-esteem, especially in young people also that office workers are reported to be less tired when they have access to plants or window views, and prefer work environments with living plants and window views .

6. Ergonomic furniture- Comfortable and ergonomic furniture can improve the overall well-being and productivity of employees.In a review of 250 case studies, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries found that reducing ergonomic risk factors prevented costly musculoskeletal disorders by almost 60%. The review also stated a 25% increase in productivity from implementing ergonomic solutions at work, stating, “By designing a job to allow for good posture, less exertion, fewer motions and better heights and reaches, the workstation becomes more efficient.”..

Another study showed that ‘furniture’ is the most contributing factor which affects the performance of employees.?

7. Incorporation of natural materials- The use of natural materials like wood, stone, and biophilic design elements can create a more aesthetically pleasing and calming environment, which can help increase creativity and productivity.?

The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace study showed that people who work in spaces with natural features reported 15% higher levels of overall wellbeing. Furthermore, the respondents expressed feeling 6% more productive and 15% more creative at work. This, in turn, can lead to higher job satisfaction, which has been shown to be associated with higher levels of productivity.

In conclusion, the interior design of an office can significantly affect the productivity of employees. A well-designed workspace that takes into consideration the design plan, lighting, temperature,color, furniture, noise levels, and natural elements which can increase job satisfaction, creativity, and overall well-being. Employers who invest in creating a more conducive work environment can benefit from higher levels of productivity, greater employee satisfaction, and improved performance.