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You can’t make a person be creative and you can’t force a group of people to work together well. However, some office spaces stifle creativity and collaboration happens only when there’s no other way to get things done, and one of the reasons for that is design.
Think of an office. If the image that comes to mind are grey chairs, grey desks, bland carpeting, and endless cubicles… How can your creativity shine here? How can you make yourself want to work with others when you barely have the will and energy to get up from your chair?
Design is more important than you think. The way an office is arranged, how it’s lit, and how it’s furnished can make your job a lot more pleasant, and by extension, it can make you and your team work better. Motivational posters and occasional brainstorming sessions will only go so far; you need the physical environment to help people think and communicate better.
If you’d like to see some practical tips on how to redesign your office to make it work for you, keep reading.
The Right Layout
Good layout has to be open, but still allow for privacy. It has to be flexible, but allow for stability. It has to be flowy and accessible.
Easier said than done, right? Where do you even start to make your office comply with all these rules?
Here’s an easy way to do it.
1. Open vs. Private Spaces
An open space will make people spontaneously start to work together, they’ll be able to solve problems quicker, and they’ll communicate better. With less physical barriers, it will be easier to interact more, which will lead to a freer exchange of ideas.
Keep in mind that you’ll still need some private spaces because open spaces can also be distracting. A few enclosed or semi-enclosed areas will allow employees to work in peace and quiet when that’s necessary.
2. Flexible Layout
A flexible design means that the space can evolve as the teams’ needs change. Get furniture that’s easy to move, like wheeled tables and chairs to allow your team to reconfigure their space when they need to.
Modular dividers are another great option; they can temporarily section off areas for meetings or individual work.
3. Dedicated Zones for Collaboration
These are spaces designed specifically for people to work together. They’re not like general open areas because here, you have tools. Writable walls or whiteboards are a must for capturing ideas, and smart screens, for instance, will make digital collaboration a breeze.
Seating furniture should be comfortable, so buy sofas and ergonomic chairs.
Key Elements
Don’t make redesigning your office more complicated than it should be. Once you decide on the layout, there are just a few other key pieces left to make it perfect.
1. Lighting
Good lighting will improve mood, energy, and creativity. Of course, natural lighting is the best option, and you can increase it with glass partitions or you can place the desks near windows.
If you don’t have a lot of natural light, you can use warm artificial lighting to make it easier on the eyes. Task lights (like desk lamps) are a good addition and they’re really helpful for detailed work.
2. Furniture
Now, for the fun part – furniture. Ergonomic furniture is your best bet, so choose chairs with back support and adjustable desks to help employees stay comfortable while they work. Along with comfort, there should also be furniture that encourages teamwork. Standing desks for group work, a large conference room table, and cozy lounge chairs will help your team connect and share ideas.
3. Color and Decor
Color has an influence on how we all feel, and so does decor. Blue and green are calming and help people stay focused. On the other hand, brighter colors like yellow and orange are excellent for boosting energy. A good color scheme can make your office both relaxing and exciting, but that depends on the purpose of the specific area.
You should also think about adding plants. Plants will improve the quality of the air and they’ll make the office more inviting. For art, go with something simple, like motivational posters or a few simple paintings. Don’t go too far because you don’t want to clutter your office, especially with too much decor.
Conclusion
Who says an office has to be drab? With just a little thought and effort, you can have a space that is both open and private, comfortable and uplifting. Ideas will flow more freely and teamwork will happen all on its own.
Start small, by adjusting the lighting, rearranging the furniture, adding a plant of two, etc. You can also ask your team for suggestions, to see what they would like to have in their workspace and which items will make their jobs easier and more enjoyable.
