Does Office Design Affect Productivity?

A happy, healthy team is the driving force behind any successful business, as employees are more motivated, invested in the company, and engaged with their work. Perhaps you are looking into moving offices, or you want to explore the benefits that a new office can bring to production levels. No matter the size and scale of the business, the way the office is designed can be a huge influence on how productive your team is. 

In short, office design can affect productivity – and this article will explain how.

Lighting

Careful consideration must be taken when choosing the right kind of lighting for your office space, particularly in windowless workspaces. Lighting that is too bright can be harsh, while dimmed lighting can cause eye strain and tiredness, so it’s important to find the perfect balance to aid productivity. 

Cool blue and white lights are good options for a working environment, as they help with alertness and concentration levels without being too bright or clinical. Warm yellow or orange lighting is a better choice for canteens or break out areas to create a more relaxed ambiance.

Colour palette

Bright colours throughout the office can boost energy levels and help to lower stress, creating a more enjoyable environment to work in. As covered in one of our previous articles, your choice of colour in the office can impact the psychology of those working there. Green, blue and yellow all have positive connotations as a way of creating a comfortable, happy atmosphere. 

Tying your choice of colour palette in with company branding will help promote company culture and give your employees somewhere they can be proud to work.

Collaborative working

Particularly with the growing popularity of hybrid working, businesses are choosing to incorporate dedicated collaboration stations and social areas to encourage communication and creativity. Not only can this benefit working practices, but it can also improve job satisfaction amongst employees as they are more engaged with their work and their colleagues.

Technology

Office design should help employees work, not hinder them. Insufficient technology access will not only make it difficult for team members to carry out their day-to-day duties, but it can also significantly lower morale in the process. As such, it’s important to listen carefully to the needs and requirements of employees so that they have everything they need to fulfil their roles – this includes:

• video conferencing capabilities
• quiet zones
• booking systems for meeting rooms / hot desking
• fully functioning IT systems

Office furniture and layout

Having teams that have gone from working at home to being in the office on an ad-hoc or full-time basis has meant that the requirements for office design have changed. By not meeting these needs, businesses are at risk of seeing productivity levels slipping. ‘Resimercial’ design combines residential design elements with traditional commercial furnishings to create a more comfortable working environment that feels more like home. 

From ergonomic desks and chairs to sofa seating in collaborative areas, there are many options available to deliver on functionality without compromising on style.

Ultimately, by investing in a strong office design strategy, you will reap the benefits when it comes to productivity and profitability. If you are searching for an experienced commercial design and fit out contractor for your UK business, look no further than Ashlar.

Contact us today to find out more about our services.