Given that workers spend at least 40 hours per week in the office, it’s crucial to get the details right when planning its design. After all, a poorly thought out design could leave staff feeling tired, unmotivated and stressed, any one of which will ultimately result in reduced productivity.
Keep these five considerations in mind when planning your office design, to optimise morale and motivation among your employees.
Are You Doing a Refurb or an Entirely New Design?
A new office design allows for more flexibility and control. When starting from scratch, architects, interior designers, and builders can collaborate with your company to come up with the ideal solution for your business needs. A redesign, on the other hand, is far more restrictive. More often than not, a company will do one to fix a specific issue, such as attract more natural light or spruce up outdated interior design.
Is This for The Short or Long Term?
Long term workplaces need better amenities and design elements, which require a greater investment.
“Pop-up” offices, however, are more about quickly installing a productive workspace on a minimal budget. Office partition walls and pot plants are cost-effective ways to add a bit of functionality and visual interest to a short-term space.
Is This The Best Layout For You?
Although open-planned office spaces have become the layout of choice in recent years, they aren’t necessarily the best option for every business. Some workers feel an open plan is too distracting and lacks privacy, which consequently lowers their outputs. A varied workspace that features multiple layouts is ideal. Cubicle style partitions, for example, are useful for tasks which require a high level of concentration. Designated areas for socialising and collaborating are another crucial aspect to consider.
Do The Interior Design Elements Reflect Your Business?
Not only do positive design elements foster a happy and productive workforce, but they also reinforce company culture and brand identity. Consider painting each area in a color that corresponds to the task at hand. For example, yellow promotes innovative thinking for creative start-ups, while more natural blues and greens improve mood and focus.
A cost-effective way to add personality to your workplace, is by accentuating pre-existing design elements. Leave any exposed brick and concrete walls, as well as industrial features in place to enhance the visual appeal of your workplace. Plant life has been shown to improve our mood, so consider adding in a living green wall if your budget permits.
Is Your Workplace Flexible Enough?
Flexibility is the most commonly heard buzzword in the office design industry today, as more clients seek out multi-purpose facilities. “Hoteling” style desks, which refer to long tables where workers can come and go as they please, are a hit. Customisable and moveable furniture and partitions can also add extra flexibility.
By keeping the above considerations in mind, you can plan an office space that adheres to your corporate culture and at the same time, foster a motivated and productive workforce. A relatively minor expenditure in office design now could result in a significant return on investment further down the track.
