Contemporary, bright empty eco office workspace According to research into productivity, the most important factor determining an employee's focus is the physical environment. While plenty of sleep and hydration can help, where you work is just as important as how you work. In fact, studies suggest that well-designed office spaces can enhance productivity by up to 20 percent. The right workspace can boost productivity, enhance company culture, and give employees the drive they need to truly excel in the office. However, you don't need to hire a bulldozer and an interior design team to make some impactful changes. Incredible results can come from a few simple tweaks to your workspace.

Step 1: Identify Existing Problems

Before you can begin a successful office redesign, you'll need to get to the root of existing problems. For instance, ask yourself whether your employees are comfortable. Do they spend too much time sitting in front of their computers? Not long ago, open office spaces became incredibly popular. People believed that this design could enhance employee collaboration and minimize costs. Unfortunately, growing evidence indicates that the distractions generated by open office spaces may be more detrimental than advantageous, and can even increase the number of sick days taken by employees. The jury is still out on this one, so you’ll have to see what works best for you.

Step 2: Invest in Ergonomics

Professionals who work in office environments spend most of their day sitting in chairs. This can have a damaging effect on your health, gradually contributing to back and neck problems, alongside a host of other chronic concerns. One of the best ways to fight back against sitting problems (besides spending more time on your feet) is to invest in ergonomic equipment. For example:
  • Use slightly reclined chairs to reduce the pressure on the spine and reduce back pain.
  • Support feet either against the floor or with a foot rest.
  • Keep your eyes between 20 and 40 inches away from the computer screen, with the top of the monitor just below eye level.
  • Try adjustable desks and conference tables that allow employees to move more naturally.

Step 3: Bring More Life to the Office

There's nothing inspirational about white walls and grey floors. Although sticking to standard office colors might have seemed like a good idea in the beginning, sterile colors and decorations can quickly drain productivity in workers. On the other hand, natural elements like wooden finishes and plants can give the office a more organic feel. Science suggests that including as many potted plants and greenery in your office as possible can enhance well-being for workers by making the space feel more alive. Some plants even act as natural air filters, which helps to combat the unhealthy effects of poor air quality.

Step 4: Declutter with Proper Storage

The average office acquires piles of clutter in the form of documents, pens, and paper that never gets sorted as it should. Unfortunately, all this mess can have a chaotic impact on worker productivity. A messy office can create a messy mind, which is why Feng Shui experts recommend avoiding clutter at all costs. Implementing a clean desk policy into a workspace can be difficult, but it's a good way to enhance efficiency and productivity. Each employee should take small steps to keep things tidy in their personal space. Not only will this improve design, but it will make important documents easier to find too.

Step 5: Include Collaborative Areas

It’s important that employees have the opportunity to get together and interact, regardless of the office design. Make sure you have collaborative spaces in your work environment to boost productivity and efficiency. This is particularly beneficial if many of the people in your office do repetitive tasks. Giving your workers a place to get together, communicate, and solve problems with their team can improve employee culture and reduce the risk of workers zoning out at their desks on a lazy afternoon.

Step 6: Light Up the Space

Finally, finding ways to let as much natural light into your office as possible can be a fantastic way to improve energy, productivity, and creativity. In fact, studies show that natural light can help to improve test results. While it might be unrealistic to suggest that every office simply knock out some spaces in their walls and install extra windows, there are ways you can make the most of the light you have by placing desks next to windows and including mirrors around the office. Additionally, cleaning windows and skylights regularly can help to enhance light intake. If natural light just isn't a possibility for you, try opting for LED lights instead. They'll brighten up the space and take up less of your energy budget than traditional bulbs. The Back Store has the furniture items you need to make your office space as productive as can be. Browse our catalog today.