8 Office Design Tips for Productivity

It might be surprising to hear, but workplace design and productivity are closely related. A bright, inviting and uplifting interior office design can improve staff wellbeing and happiness, motivating employees to be more productive.

It’s well documented that boosting employee morale and wellbeing can help improve productivity, but office design for productivity is so much more than simply plonking a pool table in the break room. Let’s break down 8 office design tips to help you boost productivity in the workplace. 

Lighting for wellbeing

Employee performance and well-being are strongly influenced by lighting. Having access to natural light has been linked to improved mood and energy, which are crucial for productive work.

When designing your space, try to incorporate large floor-to-ceiling windows or skylights to allow maximum light into your workspace. For areas where natural light is scarce, invest in LED lighting that mimics daylight or you can strategically place mirrors around the office to capture as much natural light as possible.

Invisible Group Tip: You can maximise natural light by positioning workstations near windows and using transparent partitions between rooms.

Using colour temperature lighting in the office

Colour temperatures are measured in KELVIN (K) and range from 2,000K to 7,000 K.  So using the right colour temperatures is vital for performance and well-being. Here is a breakdown of how these colour temperatures work:

Higher temperature lighting – As this colour gives off more of a cool/blue feel, this would be ideal for brainstorming sessions as this colour temperature helps improve alertness and reduces fatigue.

Mid-range temperature lighting – Mid-range lighting gives off a more neutral white colour which can be used in meeting rooms to give the room a more welcoming feel but still promote alertness.

Low-range temperature lighting – The warm/red glow of this colour temperature is ideal for break rooms as it helps to create a sense of relaxation and comfort.

Read more about colour temperature.

Bring the outdoors in

You can create wonderful office environments by bringing the outdoors in. Making your space more green is an easy and brilliant way to help improve employee wellbeing by helping to reduce stress and improve your office’s air quality. Biophilic office design can help to emulate the sights and sounds of nature, so by adding plenty of plants, natural furniture and nature-themed decorations, you can help to improve overall mental wellbeing in the workplace. 

Invisible Group Tip: Incorporate a living wall in your office design to create a whole space dedicated to nature. 

Include quiet zones

Including quiet zones in your office design is an important addition. Employees need spaces to step away from their desks and take a moment for themselves. Having these quiet areas can help people recharge, refocus and help boost creativity. These spaces should be inviting and comfortable and ideally placed in areas with minimal footfall. 

You can also include quiet work zones in your design. Having private offices with comfortable furniture and tech can give staff an area where they can get away from the hustle and bustle of the office but still focus on their work.

Invisible Group Tip: When designing your quiet spaces, collaborate with your staff to find out what they would want to see in these spaces. In collaborating with your team, you can create a productive office environment in which everyone feels heard.

Breakout spaces

As mentioned, when people think of office design for productivity, they will most likely think of the breakout spaces. And they aren’t wrong! Staff need a space where they can socialise and fully relax, so having a breakout room with comfortable furniture, handy facilities and fun activities is vital for overall happiness and job satisfaction.

Invisible Group Tip: As with the quiet zone, speak with your staff to see what they might want in the break room. You can’t cater for everyone, but getting a sense of people’s priorities will help you create a breakout space for everyone. 

Consider office layout 

The layout of your office is an important factor in promoting and improving office productivity. The open plan office used to be the go-to when it came to office design, but they are now actually associated with lower employee satisfaction in the workplace.

Therefore, you might need to think outside the box when it comes to your layout. As well as collaborative spaces, you need to ensure teams that collaborate more are closer together to help streamline the office and create effective workflows. 

Invisible Group Tip: There is no ‘best office layout’, the office layout will be unique to your team and space, so have a sit down with the heads of departments to discuss what would be the best layout for your team. 

Include community spaces

Community spaces, or collaborative spaces, are areas where staff can gather to work, brainstorm or chat. This sense of community in the workplace will help to bring people together across the office to build company culture, help foster collaboration and enhance productivity.

Invisible Group Tip: Create different community spaces such as work spaces with a table for employees to gather around or a comfortable seating area where employees can sit and chat in a more informal setting.

Install ergonomic furniture

Designing your office with ergonomic and adaptable furniture is a must. Because employees spend a great deal of time sitting at their desks, investing in comfortable and ergonomic office furniture is a no-brainer. 

Invisible Group Tip: Installing sit/stand desks can help to mitigate back pain and can help boost energy levels. 

Conclusion

The design of your office space is a powerful tool that can significantly improve workplace productivity and the well-being of your team. By implementing these eight design tips, you can create a workspace that not only meets the functional needs of your employees but also inspires and motivates them to achieve their best work.

Office Design and Fit Out by Invisible Group

Invisible Group have years of experience in designing and installing functional and inspiring workplaces across London. 

If you are planning on moving your office setting or are thinking about redesigning your current office space, get in touch and our friendly and knowledgeable team would be happy to discuss your project with you. Get in touch today and we can get the ball rolling on creating spaces to help improve your office productivity.