A lot of companies are moving away from the standard office desk and cubicle walls, to explore new ways of working that are more creative and productive. These new workstations have been designed for maximum employee engagement. Here is a list of some things you should consider when building your own creative workplace environment!
- 1. Let employees design their own workstations
- 2. Focus on functionality
- 3. Designate an open space
- 4. Make meetings and conference rooms more efficient
- 5. Think about natural light
- 6. Find out what your employees need to stay healthy
- 7. Get out of the office
- 8. Keep an eye out for new trends
- 9. Provide “focus zones” for tasks that require intense concentration
- 10. Designate areas for collaboration
1. Let employees design their own workstations
Personalization is the key to making your employees feel more comfortable. You can give them free rein to design their own workstations, purchase pieces that they like, and make it an environment they would want to spend eight hours a day in. Whether they add adhesive vinyl materials to their cubicle walls or hang pictures of their dogs, they’ll be happier and more productive in the long run.
2. Focus on functionality
Keep it practical. The look of the office can be playful, but make sure employees have everything they need to get their job done daily. If you want your business to move towards a paperless environment, then you should consider giving them monitor stands that allow them to work entirely from their tablet or laptop.
3. Designate an open space
Offer your employees a variety of places to work from throughout the office, whether that be a cozy reading corner or a sleek standing desk with their name on it. It’s important they have a place where they feel comfortable and free to come up with new ideas every day.
4. Make meetings and conference rooms more efficient
Offices should be designed to meet the needs of your company, so consider making some changes in your meeting and conference rooms. For example, adding a phone jack under each table allows employees to plug in their laptops and work from wherever they are seated without having to sit at their desks. Another idea would be to use ergonomic chairs that allow for better posture and prevent muscle aches and knee problems.
5. Think about natural light
Natural light has been proven to boost productivity, so adding a skylight or windows to your office is a definite must. Even if the space you have available restricts you from opening up large floor-to-ceiling windows, consider alternatives that can have the same effect. It could be as simple as adding a light fixture or potted plant to bring in more natural sunlight.
6. Find out what your employees need to stay healthy
Most people spend around eight hours a day in the office, which means they’re probably eating about two-thirds of their meals there too. Make sure that you have enough space for employees to store healthy lunches and snacks, and that you’ve stocked up on beverages like filtered water and green tea. You can even revamp your office kitchen to encourage them to socialize in that area and be more productive as a team.
7. Get out of the office
Schedule “out of office” days once a month; the entire company can get together for activities that are team-building and fun at the same time. Not only does it promote better office morale, but it allows employees to bond as a unit and come back to work the next day refreshed. But this has to be planned out carefully, or else it can turn into a business expenditure that gives no benefit for your company.
8. Keep an eye out for new trends
Don’t be afraid to incorporate emerging technologies and practices into your existing office environment. For example, you can map out your office using interactive floor plans. This allows them to visualize their surroundings and understand how changes could be made. You can also get into the trend of having office game rooms where employees can de-stress while on their breaks.
9. Provide “focus zones” for tasks that require intense concentration
Employees should be able to focus on their tasks without distractions, so it’s important that you offer quiet spaces where they can go if they need complete silence. You can even apply this to meetings by designing a special room with dim lighting and soundproofed walls for those who need some time alone to work.
10. Designate areas for collaboration
Set up areas throughout the office that encourage employees to work together. These obstacles could include a breakfast nook for meetings over coffee, lounge chairs for individual brainstorming sessions, or even a collaborative workspace where employees are free to share ideas.
Designing a creative workspace is an important task for any business owner. It’s essential to provide employees with the tools they need to be productive, as well as create an environment that encourages creativity and collaboration. By following these tips, you can create an office space that meets the needs of your team and helps your business thrive.
