Renovation Projects for Increasing an Office’s Productivity
Many employees are eager to get back into the office, missing their ‘work families’ and the comradery that can come with clocking in with the same Team every day. Companies are eager to have them back, but productivity has been struggling to keep up.
There’s nothing as important as helping your employees reach their full potential through work on your end. Instead of resorting to micromanaging, create an office that feels good to work in and that will inspire your employees to feel productive.
Reconsider the Layout
The layout of your office can change how it feels to work there. If your layout is poorly picked, you’ll quickly realize that any time someone walks through a room or has to step out of the office, they draw everyone’s attention.
Make a layout that allows paths through the room to be further away from the center of where people are working and doesn’t allow foot traffic to go in front of employees’ desks where they should be focused. Even using a thin item like the Frameless Blade by Tayco can lower the amount of distractions between desks.
Make Workspaces Quieter
Creating a quieter workspace can also increase the amount of comfort your employees have working there. When getting materials to work on your new office space, look into the noise reduction coefficient of every part of the project to ensure that it’s able to absorb some of the ambient noise from the office.
You can also add noise-absorbing materials throughout the office, including the walls and dividing systems, that will ensure the entire office isn’t distracted because someone a few desks away keeps clicking their pen.
Add More Natural Lighting
Although direct sunlight can be distracting and cause migraines if it’s too bright throughout the day: you should look into including filtered natural light as much as possible. Consider the placement of windows and getting screens or sheer curtains that will filter it through and allow it to be less harsh.
Natural light helps people’s circadian rhythms, which ensures they’ll be their most awake and productive while they’re completing work.
To take this further, consider implementing a smart lighting system, which will move the brightness of the lights throughout the day to match what you need against the natural sunlight coming through. This will save energy bills and ensure the room isn’t constantly glaring with artificial lighting throughout the day.
Use Comfortable Seating.
The more comfortable your seating is, the better! Although there was misinformation in the early 2010s that made people believe that ‘being slightly uncomfortable made people work harder,’ that’s not the case. Being physically uncomfortable is not only distracting; it’s also something that can affect the mental and physical health of your employees.
A comfortable employee, getting to sit at a desk where they want to be because it’s nice to sit there, is going to get far more work done. Look for chairs like the J1 Chair by Tayco, which are comfortable and ergonomically sound, and allow your employees to focus on the work instead of making them uncomfortable.
Reduce Temperature Distractions
If you’re too hot or too cold, you’re going to be focusing on how your body feels instead of how much work you’re completing. Nobody wants to be shivering or sweating at their desk! Instead, consider looking into insulated roofing systems, which can reduce the amount of weather-related temperature issues and allow the room to sit at a more constant and comfortable temperature.
You should also check windows and doors to ensure there are no air leaks that can ruin the ability of your HVAC system to comfortably control the temperature.
Get Flooring That’s Durable
The floors your employees are on matter too! If it’s squeaky cheap carpet or cracked old linoleum tile, your employees will notice. Instead, consider going for epoxy-painted concrete floors. Not only is concrete noise absorbing, but you can get an attractive finish that’s long-lasting and won’t chip or crack.
This type of flooring’s high level of mass ensures that it’s one of the best soundproofing materials for airborne noises, and the ability to paint it with epoxy means you can make it as attractive as you want it to be!
Use Color In Your Favor
Color is a fantastic tool that can allow you to guide productivity how you want it to go. The main colors that should be used are blue, which has a calming effect and allows for more focus, and red which activates passion and increases the heart rate.
It’s a good idea to go for a mostly blue office, with touches of red, since too much red can come off as aggressive and lead to poor handling of emotions or reactions. In break rooms, use blue and light greens to allow for employees to fully relax and get ready to come back to work after their break ends.
Even small pops of color, like this bright Caddy Shield by Tayco, can make a big difference!
Every Company Can Have More Productivity
There’s no reason why your environment shouldn’t boost the work ethic of your employees! Take the time to create an office that increases productivity and great for work, and watch your employees grow.
Natalie Akins is the Interior Design Editor at Innovative Building Materials. With over 20 years of interior design experience, Natalie has worked on many projects including commercial office design and residential spaces.
