There are many factors that impact how productive employees are, but recent research shows that user-friendly office design has one of the biggest impacts on employee satisfaction and output. In other words, where people work makes a big difference in how people work.
According to Gallup’s 2014 State of the Global Workplace Report, 51 percent of respondents said they were not engaged at work, and almost a quarter (17.5%) said they were actively disengaged.
That is a lot of lost productivity—and money. Simple workplace improvement ideas, such as user-friendly office layouts and design concepts, can improve morale and your bottom line.
User-Friendly Office Layouts and Design Trends to Boost Productivity
Creating a user-friendly office space includes everything from technology solutions to floor plan to furniture to paint colors.
Sound like a lot of work? Don’t despair.
Many of the top office design trends can be incorporated into your existing workspaces without a major and expensive overhaul.
1. Hide the Wires
Scott Lezzia, principal at design firm Workwell Partners, told Fast Company that getting rid of wires and other technology-related clutter from desks and conference rooms is one of the things people ask for most.
Bundling wires and hiding them under tables and creating an efficient filing and storage system for personal desk clutter can go a long way to making workspaces seem more organized and user-friendly.
Investing in updated technology solutions and integrating office technology can also reduce the need for multiple devices and connection points such as docking stations that can clutter up a desk or conference room table while creating a technology-friendly office environment.
2. Flexible and User-Centric Office Furniture Layouts
Many employees are being asked to do more with less, and workspaces should—and can—follow suit.
Multipurpose spaces can be configured for a variety of uses including huddle rooms, meeting breakout areas, or individual workspaces. Furniture plays a big role here.
Office desks that are oval-shaped rather than rectangular make it easier for four to six people to meet, turning someone’s office into an on-demand conference room. Height adjustable tables in huddle rooms or common areas can facilitate standing meetings.
Temporary partitions or soundproof panels can divide an open space into private workstations when employees need more privacy and quiet.
3. Update the Aesthetic
A user-friendly office is about more than the furniture and equipment people need to do their jobs. Design elements including paint, fabric, and texture also make a difference to employee productivity.
Talking with Fast Company, Jeff Miller, vice president of design at office furniture manufacturer Poppin, says color boosts happiness, productivity, and creativity. Colorful office furniture and accessories are simple office improvement ideas that can boost employee satisfaction.
Using a variety of materials in your architecture and design, such as reclaimed wood and exposed concrete can also foster an environment of well-being and productivity. And of course, lots of windows and natural light make every feel—and work—better. Small touches such as comfortable seating, inviting décor, and well-placed plants can go a long way in demonstrating how to make an office more welcoming and employee-focused.
4. Be Interactive
One hallmark of user-friendly office design is multifunctionality, even down to the walls. Walls all over your office can be whiteboards to capture on-the-spot collaboration or creative bursts, projection areas for small or impromptu meetings, or even gesture enabled screens that can display and share content from anyone’s device.
5. Organize your People
Many workplaces have people organized by job function or company divisions dictated by the organizational chart, but studies show that grouping people who share a corporate goal or a client is a better way to foster collaboration and productivity.
To test it out in your workplace, have groups work together in a conference room or common area for a week or two and see how it goes. If it works you can make a more permanent change.
6. Relax: Workplace Improvement Ideas for Employee Well-Being
Once you’ve maximized your office space for work, don’t forget to incorporate some space for winding down as well.
Dedicated lounge areas are great workplace improvement ideas to make an office more welcoming, allowing employees to relax, refuel, and connect in a comfortable environment. And thanks to portable technology including laptops and smartphones, even lounge areas can quickly transform into collaborative, productive workspaces.
User-friendly offices need user-friendly technology
The more time employees spend at the office the more they expect their office to be as comfortable and inviting as home. User-friendly office layouts and design can be incorporated into any type of workspace by any type of company. By addressing factors such as office layouts, aesthetics, and employee needs, you can take actionable steps on how to improve the work environment and create a more productive workspace.
Want to learn more about how it can be done? Read about how Missouri Employers Mutual, a workplace safety firm, gave their headquarters a makeover using the principles of user-friendly office design. And don’t forget that user-friendly technology is a key component to user-friendly offices.
