Why Is Workplace Design Important?

When you own or operate a business, how often do you think about the design of the workplace? Chances are, not a lot. You may think that focusing on office design is a waste of time or money, but it’s neither.

Good office design and the use of quality office furniture isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s also about productivity, culture and more. People spend on average one-third of their life at work, so they want that space to be functional, appealing and well-designed.

The following are some reasons workplace design is important and worth focusing on.

Engagement

A global study from the firm Steelcase found that one-third of workers in the world’s most important economies are disengaged from their work. Employee engagement is essential for retention, productivity and company profitability.

Employers are always looking for ways to engage employees, yet they ignore the role office design can play in that.

Specifically, employees tend to be more engaged and also more satisfied when they have a greater sense of control over their workspace. This includes access to private workspaces.

Employees are more engaged when they can go places to easily concentrate without interruption, but at the same time have the flexibility to move into more collaborative space when needed.

The idea of employees having autonomy and control in the workplace isn’t exclusive to design—employees are happier when they feel like they can make decisions about how and where they work across the board.

A lot of forward-thinking employers are no longer having office spaces that either emphasize privacy or collaboration and instead are working on offering a combination through the design of specific zones.

Employee Morale

Along with engaged employees, you want energized, enthusiastic employees who are excited about the work they’re doing.

Office design can improve employee morale. For example, think about the use of natural light, bright colors that bring positive emotions, and design elements that make the space feel alive and inviting without being distracting.

Even if employees like their actual job, their morale is likely to be lower if they work in a space that feels dark, dreary and heavy.

Creativity

Creative, problem-solving employees are likely to be innovative employees as well. Our surroundings are an integral part of how creative we feel. Promoting creativity and innovation can go back to the idea of incorporating specific zones into the workplace.

You want to have spaces that foster conversation and collaboration which is great for creativity. At the same time, you also want to ensure your employees have places to go when they need to be creatively thinking and planning on their own.

When you’re thinking about designing separate spaces, remember that bright colors will encourage more energized creativity, while calmer, more neutral color palettes are good for concentration and focus.

Office Design Is Part of Your Brand

With the highly competitive marketplace, most businesses are currently in, it’s extremely important that they have a well-defined brand and a brand that tells a story of who they are and what they want to be. A big component of that can be office design.

Your office space can tell visitors and employees right away what your brand is about. You can lay out your vision in how you design the office space.

Show Your Employees You’re Willing to Invest in Them

Employees want satisfaction in their job above almost all else. In fact, the modern employee will often say they’re willing to take less money to have a positive work environment. A big part of that is feeling like their employer values them and is willing to invest in them.

An excellent way to show employees that you do want to invest in their happiness and well-being is to have a nicely designed office where they can work. It shows you care how they feel at work, and that you value them enough to invest in making them happy.

Finally, office design can be important for not only the mental well-being of employees but also their physical well-being. Employees need to be able to get up and walk around throughout the day. You want office furniture and design layouts that encourage activity and moving. When employees move around throughout the day, it reduces the risks of diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

It also helps them be more comfortable, which can improve productivity, and when employees can move around freely and they’re in a space that encourages movement, it can help them think more creatively.