5 Practical Tips for a Functional, Productive Business Office

Did you know that some employees report wasting up to three hours of every day on unproductive or nonwork-related tasks?

While these individuals are in the minority of workers, most employees waste at least part of the workday. While social media use, employee burnout, and company culture could all contribute to this, the design of your business office may also be to blame.

Some office designs promote a productive office culture. Others greatly inhibit workplace productivity. How do you know which category your office space falls into?

Keep reading to learn five ways to make your workspace design more functional and productive.

1. Be Intentional with the Layout

Everyone has an opinion on whether cubicle layouts or open floor plans are better for employee productivity. The true answer is that no one layout works for all business types. You have to choose the right one for your team.

If your team members spend large portions of the day on the phone with clients, an open office plan may not be the best for you. On the flip side, if your teammates rely heavily on collaboration with one another, cubicles may cut them off from one another. Talk with your team to find out what they prefer.

2. Don’t Neglect the Lighting

This is a critical but often overlooked aspect of office design. Have too bright of lighting and your teammates may develop eye strain and headaches. Have too dim of lighting, and people won’t be able to see what they’re working on.

Opt for a middle ground with your lighting, both in terms of brightness and warmth. If possible, position your desks around the windows so that your employees can take advantage of natural light during the day.

3. Provide Options to Work Together and Apart

People work best when they have variety in their day. Provide spaces for employees to collaborate in addition to giving everyone access to private working spaces.

If possible, invest in a glass wall conference room. That way, your team meetings won’t disturb other people who are working in the building, but you’ll still feel connected to the rest of the organization throughout the day.

4. Use Technology Wisely

Online chat has been both the best and the worst thing to happen to office productivity. You no longer have to walk across the building to ask a 30-second question, but you can also fall into side conversations all day long without ever leaving your desk.

There are ways to make collaborative technologies work for you instead of against you. Perhaps you can schedule “quiet hours” when your employees can put themselves on “Do Not Disturb” and focus on projects. Maybe you need separate Slack channels for work-related conversations and fun conversations.

Find the balance that works for your team and your workflows.

5. Bring the Outdoors Indoors

Bringing plants and greenery into your office space can make the building feel more bright and comfortable. It will also keep your indoor air fresh and clean, which will help your employees feel more energized throughout the day.

Create a Better Business Office Today

If these characteristics are already present in your business office design, great! You’re creating an environment suited to employee productivity and happiness. If not, consider adding a few of these ideas into your workspaces to build a more productive office for you and your employees.

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