Building a Productive Work Environment

You spend about 23% of your week, or 2,080 hours a year, working – so having a designated space that drives productivity and motivation is crucial.

Your work environment should be a space that contributes to your increased productivity, motivation, and overall performance. So, whether in an office building or an at-home office, decorating your area heavily affects day-to-day productivity. Research has shown that workspace design can inspire workers to be more productive and creative. There has also been research done that has proven that employees themselves believe their day will be more productive when their workspace is designed effectively.

 Let’s discuss what elements should be considered when designing office space.

How to Build a Productive Work Environment

While decorative trends come and go, one thing that remains consistent is the impact of workplace design on productivity.

Here are some design elements to consider adding or improving in your space.

Natural light

A study by the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell showed that employees seated within 10 feet of a window reported an 84% decrease in eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision symptoms. Some ideas to consider are:

• Move more oversized furniture that blocks sunlight

• Maximize the natural light available, but face monitors away from the light to avoid glare

• Invest in a sun lamp if there are minimal or no windows

Maximizing the natural light available will increase energy levels, resulting in feeling more engaged throughout the day.

Office layout or feng shui

Arranging your office according to feng shui has many benefits. First, feng shui is an ancient Chinese art that creates a harmonious space with the environment. There are many ways to bring feng shui to the office. Here are a few ways to build a productive layout:

Place your desk in a power position

According to feng shui, you should place your desk so that you are sitting in the “power position.” This is the furthest spot from the entrance of the room. The door should be able to be seen while seated as well.

Painting the walls

Color plays a significant role in productivity and mood. Some popular choices are the presence of green and blue colors.

Hang artwork

Surround yourself with images and objects that are inspiring.

Ergonomic furniture

Unlike traditional office furniture, ergonomic designs offer optimal support to maintain an ideal posture, effectively reducing strain on the neck, back, and hips. Doing so promotes productivity throughout the day, ensuring a comfortable and efficient work environment. Different types of office ergonomics to consider are:

• Keyboards

• Mouse

• Desks

• Desk chairs

• Mousepads

Use of plants

According to a study by Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, teams perform better when surrounded by greenery. “Our research suggests that investing in landscaping the office with plants will pay off by increasing office workers’ quality of life and productivity.” According to the study, this budget-friendly addition to an office space can lead to a significant 15% boost in work output.

In conclusion, creating a productive work environment maximizes productivity, motivation, and overall performance. With a substantial portion of our time spent at work, our workspace design significantly impacts our day-to-day efficiency.

Toni Buffa

Toni is a member of the Nutrient Workflow marketing team and writes for the Nutrient Workflow blog. Toni lives in Colorado and loves animals of all stripes.