How Office Decor Impacts Team Productivity
We spend many hours of our lives at work, and, for many people, those hours will be in an office environment.
While it may seem to be simply four walls and desks, the truth is that the environment you work in can have a significant impact on your team’s productivity – or lack of it.
These are our top tips for creating an office environment that inspires your team to be their very best. And many of these tips also apply to working at home too.
“GLOWHOW THAILAND OFFICE” – Bangkok Business Center @ BTS Ekkamai
Light It Up
Lighting is so important when it comes to mood; poor lighting can lead to eye strain, lethargy and a lack of creativity.
If possible, it’s best to have a natural light source, because there is the chance that artificial lighting can cause headaches, particularly when also staring at computer screens all day. Natural light also helps our bodies produce Vitamin D, improves our circadian rhythms, and sleep patterns. It also helps us to focus.
However, if the layout of an office means you have to do without a source of natural light, artificial light that can be dimmed is a good alternative. It would be best to choose a variety of different lighting options, such as angled lamps for specific tasks and wall lights for a wider reach. This allows for individuals to use a preferred light source.
Whichever you choose – or happen to be stuck with – make sure team members aren’t either straining to see or being blinded by bright-white strip lights whilst trying to work.
See In Color
The color you choose for your office can strongly influence your team’s productivity. White, a popular choice for office spaces, can be associated with being cold and clinical. Instead, try opting for muted shades that create a sense of space and calm, such as a soft beige or sage green. If you want to inject color into the space, a feature wall is a popular choice; blues, grays and deep greens are a good color options, as they are known to have a calming effect and inspire efficiency.
But which colors should you avoid?
Yellow, although it promotes optimism and creativity, it’s an ideal choice for artists and designers. However, it might be a bit too much for many workspaces in different industries. Red is another color best avoided in large doses. Although it’s associated with passion, which may seem to be a good thing, it conversely carries connotations of anger and urgency – so that may not be ideal for promoting a professional environment.
“M.D. ROOM” – Singha Complex @ MRT Phetchaburi
Part of the Furniture
If you want your office be productive, you need to make your office work for the people who work in it. Spacious desks, comfortable chairs and space to move around are all key ingredients. Today you can find office furniture in all colors, shapes, and styles. No longer are you forced to compromise on style to find something you and your team love.
If space allows, consider creating different zones in the office. Create breakout areas for relaxing and a place for team members to congregate and brainstorm. If everyone is based in one room, screens are a good option. Screens allow you to reconfigure the room according to the team’s requirements.
Feeling Artsy
Wall artwork is another way to help keep the team motivated, because, be honest with yourself, nobody does their best thinking staring at a blank wall.
Research has proven that art improves productivity. A survey by the Business Committee for the Arts and the International Association for Professional Art Advisors found that art in the workplace helped business owners address key challenges like reducing stress, increasing creativity, and encouraging the expression of opinions.
Deutsche Bank certainly agrees, it has the biggest collection of corporate art in the world, with around 60,000 pieces across 900 offices in 40 countries.
While Deutsche Bank has splashed its cash on work by Damien Hirst and Anish Kapoor, you can easily pick up some more affordable pieces to brighten your walls and get the creative juices flowing.
OFFICE SPACE – Park Avenue Sukhumvit 71 @ BTS PHRAKHANONG
Green Machines
Houseplants have seen a resurgence in popularity over recent years and are another great way to accessorize an office, as well as boost productivity.
In fact, plants are more than just a decorative pieces. Plants are natural air filters, replacing carbon dioxide with oxygen, which can help prevent headaches.
Also, if your team are based in an open-plan office, plants have the added benefit of helping to reduce noise levels by absorbing sound. This is brilliant for productivity. One of the most common ways of being distracted is by hearing snippets of conversation from across the room.
While there are many aspects of an office you’ll be powerless to change, such as windows or the availability of natural air and light, there are plenty of ways you can boost productivity and create an inspiring place to work.
