Creating a workspace for optimum positivity and productivity

Today, more and more workplaces are beginning to understand the necessity of a well designed and well cared for workplace. A company in which employees feel looked after and respected is a company which will thrive. Poor management and neglected workplaces contribute to disengaged and unmotivated employees, which in turns leads to a negative atmosphere and a poor work ethic.

One of the key ways to counter this problem is to make sure your workspace is designed and decorated with the well-being of your employees in mind. It needs to consider your staff’s psychological state, which will consequently encourage a positive company atmosphere and improve productivity. Chris Hopkins, Director of Turnbull & Co, offers a few tips to help on the way to creating the perfect workspace…

Natural light is essential

An absolutely essential part of your work building is windows that provide access to natural light. If you don’t have access to natural light in your workspace, it’s time to do something about it. Unless you’re working in a dungeon or a coal mine, there really are no excuses for poor lighting.

Employees need light to feel free and relaxed. It is well known that windowless rooms have a negative effect on people’s mindsets. Exposure to natural light, on the other hand, improves workplace performance. It’s better for health and general happiness and is a significant problem with so many office buildings. 

Think about your windows, welcome natural light and bring in some fresh air. It will have a calming and relaxing effect on your employees, giving them extra vitality and improving the workspace environment.

Create a break room

All workplaces can become incredibly stressful at times. Employees need a place to cool off and escape the ringing of phones or tapping of keyboards, whatever or wherever it may be.

Break rooms are vital places that allow staff to take a much needed breather. Fill your break room with things like free tea and coffee, healthy snacks, games and magazines. Most importantly, though, make it a comfortable place where people don’t feel like they are in a workspace.

Books and bookshelves are wonderful at framing a room and letting your mind wonder. They give people something to read and provide a soothing element that reminds them of home. Alternatively, sofas and bean bags are comfortable and give people a break from their desk and desk chair.

Indoor plants and a well decorated office

While a company’s break room should be a comfortable and well decorated place to relax, so too should your main office space. It is important to get this right, as you don’t want games and magazines around the place like you do in a break room — but you do want to add colour and have a positive impact on your employee’s mood.

One of the most effective ways of decorating an office is with neat and attractive indoor plants. Indoor plants de-stress the workspace while also purifying air. They are excellent decorative techniques that add character and are not too distracting. But the more you decorate with them, the more of an eco-friendly and sustainable company you come across as, which is sure to satisfy and impress a few clients!

A positive workplace entrance

Carefully maintaining the inside of an office building is indeed important, but it is equally vital to construct a cheerful entrance. The workplace entrance is somewhere people remember; they can either dread walking into work on Monday morning through a plain and depressing entrance, or they can feel welcomed and motivated.

Of course, this does not mean you should go overboard and overcrowd an entrance, but decorate the area neatly with things that will cheer up employees as they walk in. If it’s too dull, invest in some high quality garden planters to add a bit of greenery to the entrance as well as the office. Embrace festive occasions with Christmas trees or other decorative techniques to give a light-hearted welcome to your employees.