Does Office Design Matter?

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Running a business comes with a lot of responsibility - especially when you have employees. Not only do you need to make sure that your company is making enough money to both cover their salary and make a profit, but you also need to ensure that your staff is motivated, productive and happy at work. Although some may say office design is trivial, it can contribute to a healthy workplace. From the interior design to the location of the office, every decision you make could make or break the overall working environment.

Decor

First up, decor can really make a difference. If you’re working in a place that is falling apart with paint chipping off the walls, your employees might feel unsafe and in danger. When your staff is unsure, they won’t be able to work to their potential. Likewise, if the colors you choose are too brash and distracting, it might not promote the calming environment you’re looking to achieve. So before you decorate, think carefully about the colors, prints, and textures that you intend to use.

Furniture

If you want your staff to be able to stay motivated and work to the best of their abilities, they have to be comfortable. You don’t have to make their workspace all singing and dancing, but no frills won’t cut it either. They need a clean and clear environment to get the job done – so make sure your desk and chair orders are suitable. You can find a ton of reviews online (like this – http://www.officechairsonly.com/steelcase-leap/) that can help you to decide what style is right.

Layout

The layout is as equally as important as the furniture. If you sit all of your staff members near a cold window or right by the bathroom facilities, they may feel at a loss and uncomfortable at work. You need to be able to arrange your office space so that your staff feels motivated, can access the facilities they need and communicate with others in their department. Likewise, you also want to make sure that they aren’t too distracted so that they can do their job and not slack off.

Facilities

Let’s talk facilities. Staff welfare is hugely important (read more about it here – http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/office-hazards/reception/staff-welfare). You need to make sure that your employees have access to the bathroom and that they’re not going to have to queue all day for it. They also need access to fresh air and water as a rule. But, you might also want to think about any other facilities that could benefit your staff at work. For example, would a staff lounging area boost morale, or a cafeteria?

Atmosphere

And then there’s the atmosphere to think about. Depending on your line of work, you might want to have an air of creativity, quiet or even fun about the place. If it’s super silent and your staff needs to be energized, or there’s too much traffic outside, and they need silence to work, you’re going to need to make some changes.