The average employee spends about 40 hours of their week in the office- a majority of their waking hours. Businesses and business owners need to ensure their team is in an environment that encourages productivity, and fosters engagement.
Today, companies like the Mayo Clinic, a medical research group, and Delos, a design and technology firm in New York, are investing millions in workplace experiments to determine the optimal office layout.
But you don’t have to wait for Mayo Clinic to publish their results. Novel Coworking has developed a reputation over the years for creating work environments around a business’s needs. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to arranging an office.
DO encourage movement and practicality
Remember the design mantra: “form follows function”. Arrange the computer desks, chairs, and office equipment in a way that maximizes the room’s space and utility. There’s no point in setting up the office to look flashy when it doesn’t serve the needs of your workforce. Make sure employees have a clear path to their workstations, and that all other important resources, like printers and coffee machines, are accessible but out of the way.
DON’T hoard or leave clutter
Offices can represent the current mindset of your collective workforce. If they’re left to be messy and unattended to, chances are, your employees will likely feel equally disorganized and neglected. Make sure to organize your office, empty garbage cans, and clean dishes each day- a service Novel Coworking provides with every office plan. Read our previous post: 5 Simple Steps To Declutter Your Office Space for more ideas on how to create a great work environment.
DO create separate spaces for relaxation and work
If your team is going to be at the office for most of the day, they should at least have a place to go when work becomes too much- even if it’s just to read, meditate, or eat lunch. In the same respect, make sure that work areas are productive and distraction free. Creating these two distinct spaces ensures your team has the appropriate space to get things done and to relieve stress.
DON’T forget your teams’ input
You and your team are the most common users of the office- make sure to get feedback from them as well. Someone could spend hours drafting designs to a new workplace, but it would all be in vain if none of the features benefited the primary users. Ask your team what they would like to add and remove in the office to make it a more useful and desirable place to be in.
DO offer workstation options
This is where a coworking environment has more to offer compared to traditional spaces. In the past, people sat at the same desk all day, all year. But modern spaces like Novel Coworking can offer standing desks, comfy couches, private offices, and open spaces. When leaders give their team more freedom over where and how they work, they’re in a greater position to get more done.
DON’T restrict creativity or personalization
Businesses like to impose strict rules in the workplace for decor- but it’s important to never restrict or forbid personalization. Employees are only human after all, and there’s nothing wrong with a few inspirational quotes, artwork, or family photos to help make a space feel more individualized. Even if it’s only a few items, a personalized office is something to look forward to, instead of just staring at a computer in a blank and empty space.
DO let some natural light in
As humans, we weren’t to spend our day indoors. Most importantly, without enough sunlight people can feel lethargic and even somber. Open up curtains or move furniture around to ensure more natural light can enter the room. One study from View Dynamic Glass reported 51% drop in the incidence of eyestrain and 63% fewer headaches. The study also reported increased alertness and productivity.
DON’T neglect air quality
Equally important to natural light is the air quality. There’s a big reason HVAC companies service big offices- an air filtration and ventilation system is essential to preventing a stuffy, disease-prone environment. Not only should the air be clean, but the temperature should stay at moderate levels to promote productivity.
DO check out Novel Coworking
We’ve been in the business several years, and we know a thing or two about coworking spaces. From small private offices for individuals to large office suites for enterprises, we have an office solution for all businesses, regardless of their size or industry. Compare our pricing plans here. For more content for entrepreneurs and businesses, visit Novel Coworking’s blog today.