We’ve all worked in offices that could sap the inspiration from Leonard da Vinci if he were forced to sit in them for more than half an hour: beige walls with little-to-no decoration, desks that look like they were sourced from a local skip, chairs with the ergonomic quality of a 15th century torture device, and the kind of energy depleting lighting that would have you necking vitamin D capsules like they were going out of fashion.
If that sounds like your office, then there are plenty of ways to improve it – and plenty of reasons to. A workplace with a positive aesthetic sensibility can improve productivity, mental wellbeing and morale. Here’s seven ways you can get started.
Decorative Panels
When workers feel like they’re operating in a high-quality environment, they’ll provide high-quality results. And little more feels high-quality than viewing aesthetic decorative panels from companies like Lawcris that are a cut above the usual wallpapered decor you might glimpse in an office space.
Corporate art
While blank walls used to be the norm in many office spaces, the act of hanging a few pictures has become as workaday as clocking in. The popularity for corporate art has skyrocketed to such an extent that many art dealers provide ranges which cater specifically for workplaces. Places like The Rose Gallery offer imagery that is eye-catching but not overly provocative, catering to all tastes who may wander into your workplace.
If your budget can’t stretch to those heights, then a few pictures purchased from local suppliers will work just as well.
Biophilia
The smell of nature can soften even the hardest of shells, and office plants are the perfect way to emulate the great outdoors. These simple scents have been known to reduce stress, improve oxygenation and boost wellbeing.
Much like corporate art, many companies like Beards & Daisies have bloomed that can offer plants specifically designed to cope with a bustling office environment.
Zone your spaces
Working flexibly doesn’t only mean being able to clack the keys on your laptop from home every now and again. If you’re serious about providing people with a dynamic work environment, consider zoning certain spaces in your offices for meetings, solo working, researching, and collaborative projects.
Focus on natural light
The days of overhead strip lighting are long gone in most modern offices, which have progressed to welcoming in the sun’s rays through windows that are as large as possible. The benefits of this are clear, providing a hearty dose of vitamin D as well as good views that stimulate workers. For the same reason, try to avoid the old-hat office cubicle.
Control acoustics
The bane of all-encompassing noise can be banished with sound-absorbing materials placed on walls, making quiet zones more fit for purpose and ensuring that zoned workspaces don’t suffer from ‘noise bleed’.
Merge open and closed
The debate between whether an office should be open- or closed-plan has raged for what seems like a millennium. Yet there isn’t really a ‘correct’ way to work and different spaces will suit different people. To keep everyone happy, consider meshing both types of office space, mixing solo working spots with open-plan sections for the world’s born extroverts.
