The average worker spends at least 40 hours at work, and most of that time is spent on your desk or cubicle. Since the office is your home away from home, bringing your personality to your workstation can make the office feel more like a more comfortable place to stay in.
A comfortable set-up at work can, after all, improve productivity and employee engagement.
You can customize the shared office spaces you choose. You can still encourage employees to personalize their workspaces and enhance productivity. Adding a touch of personal flair can help foster individual expression and lasting relationships with colleagues.
Surroundings Affect Mood and Performance
Physical workspaces have a significant impact on concentration and productivity. One of the most significant factors that contribute to well-being is the design of the workplace: employees who enjoy their office environment end up feeling more engaged, happy, and productive.
Different factors, such as the volume of space, natural and artificial light, and the color of the walls can promote creativity and improve mood. A study from the University of Texas confirms that colors in the office space can elicit a reaction in the brain and affect worker mood and productivity.
The color blue can, for instance, create a calming effect on employees and aid in concentration while red can energize employees and help them complete physical tasks. White, on the other hand, can hinder productivity and create feelings of isolation.
A separate study reveals that wall colors affect performance, too: blue walls encouraged creativity while red walls sharpened a person’s accuracy-related skills.
Personalizing Low-Privacy Spaces
While open office layouts foster collaboration, the exposure of employees to interruptions and environmental noise can cause distractions and hamper productivity.
Psychological scientists Gregory A. Laurence, Yitzhak Fried, and Linda H. Slowik hypothesize that employees who lack privacy may end up spending more energy handling distractions and feelings of being monitored by micromanaging bosses.
The researchers suggest that open-office workers can regain a sense of control over their space by personalizing it. Personal additions such as photos or mementos from home can, for instance, provide workers with a greater sense of ownership that could buffer the lack of privacy.
Encouraging Self-Expression and Meaningful Workplace Relationships
More than just a means of self-expression, incorporating a more human and personal aspect to the workspace can encourage employees to make positive contributions and work hard to achieve business goals. A more personal workspace can determine an employee’s efficiency, motivation, sense of control, and well-being.
Here are some ways you can support your employees and give them free rein over personalizing their space:
- Get creative. Give your employees the freedom to spice up their workstation by choosing items that will lift their spirits and energize them throughout the day.
- Be considerate. While it’s good to let their creative juices flow, you’ll have to remind them to keep the workplace inclusive, especially if you’re occupying shared workspaces. Make sure they don’t put up anything too aromatic or graphic.
- Keep it clutter-free. Personal items shouldn’t distract your employees from working. Your workplace should stay organized and not present any safety hazards.
- Nature-friendly spaces. Plants in the workplace are not just aesthetically pleasing; they can reduce stress and contribute to employee well-being, too. Encourage your employees to add some greenery and see the positive impact on your team.
Quest Workspaces provides flexible and all-inclusive workspaces to support every size of companies and at different stages of growth. Work in a dynamic office environment with zero startup capital required.
Contact us today to learn more.
