You may think that employees won’t be concerned about their office’s interior design. But seeing that they spend a better part of their days working, you might be wrong to assume that they don’t notice all the missing pieces in the office, or that they don’t wish they were seeing something pretty every day.
A study revealed that stress in the workplace is a big problem and approximately one million office workers are stressed out. If employees are constantly stressed out, their productivity level may drop over time, affecting not just their personal performance but the company’s as well.
Interior designer Sherry Burton Ways says that an uninspired office design creates a similarly uninspiring and stressful environment for employees. If your office in Salt Lake City or any other metropolitan area is suffering from a mundane design and stressed-out staff, you may want to upgrade you office furniture items and get pieces that stimulate productivity and soothe stress.
Here’s how an unattractive office affects employee performance:
Clutter and Disorganization
Aside from a dull office environment, clutter and lots of unorganized work material contribute to employee stress. Susan Kousek, a Certified Professional Organizer, says that one’s level of organization impacts productivity. The mess of a disorganized workplace drags down many employees. Taking more time than necessary to look for important files slows down employees on finishing their tasks.
But the good thing about this problem is that employees themselves have control over it. Allowing them time to organize their workstations will be beneficial for them and the management.
Office Furniture and Design
According to marketing research, the visual sense of the environment is what about 80% of what we perceive and experience are based upon. There are many ways furniture affects mood and stress levels. The right type of furniture will not only improve one’s mental state but will also stimulate other good developments. Office furniture must be functional, ergonomic, and should maximize space for workstations
Playing with colors can help stimulate the right attitude and energy. Black and brown may be basic colors, but matching them with more playful and vibrant hues will make their good qualities stand out. Since black radiates authority and brown is more comforting, adding more colors to the mix may help you achieve more balance. Red, for example, raises a room’s liveliness, so placing red furniture in a conference room is recommended, as it could spark good conversations. To inspire creativity, having purple furniture could help.
Adding an element of nature could also alleviate stress. Sage green furniture gives an earthy shade and feel to the office. Having indoor plants is also proven to be soothing and some even help improve focus. Best of all, they purify the air. Placing small pots of plants on desks or huge floor pots in corners add style to the office, too. Philodendron, for example, is known to be very tough and impossible to kill. It eliminates volatile organic compounds in the air that cause drowsiness.
Without the hindrance of this compound, employees would be more productive, even with a heavy workload. Lemon balm is also a great green office companion, as it can grow even in shade. Its mood-boosting qualities will surely help reduce stress among employees.
Give your office and your employees a break with these ideas. You as an employer will also benefit from seeing your workplace and your staff pleased. Your company will thrive with happier and productive employees, and it will reflect in their performance, too.
