How to design your office fit out to increase productivity

The right office fit out could boost productivity. Find out more…

As a business owner, productivity is a huge part of being successful. You could have the most amazing, sellable idea imaginable but without a team that is putting the time and effort in, you will never see a maximum return. If this is something you’ve thought about, it’s likely that you’ve sat for hours looking at the various ways you can boost your team’s productivity. Indeed, there are hundreds of blog posts, articles and even academic papers on the subject. However, with all of this information, it can be hard to know where to start.

While you might have invested in a ping pong table and allowed casual Fridays, this is just the start of boosting workplace happiness and efficiency. Unsurprisingly, productivity is intrinsically connected to your actual workplace itself and can even make or break a business. From tiny details such as the lumen level of lights to how the whole workplace has been laid out, positive office design is essential in developing a productive workforce.

Yet, it’s all well and good saying that office design is important, but where does a business owner actually start? Thankfully, there are a host of changes you can make that can transform your office space into somewhere people enjoy spending their days in.

As facilities management experts, our team knows a thing or two about running an effective business. With this in mind, we decided to put together this handy guide on how to transform your office space into a productivity machine with the right office fit out.

Consider the layout

First things first, the layout of your office needs to be considered fully. Even if you think that your office is working well, a bad layout can have a passively negative effect on productivity. With this in mind, the best place to start is by considering a few themes, such as the company’s overarching culture, the people who work there and the difficulties they may face and finally, you’re overall budget. While this may feel a bit daunting it’s a great way to give you at least some form of direction when it comes to your office layout.

Get an idea from employees

As this redesign will affect your staff as well, it’s always a good idea to spend some time getting a feel of what their wants and needs are as well. For example, while open plan offices have been growing in popularity lately, there are increasing numbers of studies that show that many employees prefer the privacy of their own workspace, so sit with them to figure out works best.

Create space for breaks

Finally, whatever layout you decide, always leave room for movement. No one is a robot and sometimes the best way to keep consistent productivity is to realise that you need to stop. By taking quick breaks away from the screen every so often, employees can come back to their desk with a renewed energy and perspective on the task at hand. However, if you haven’t factored in space for employees to get away from their screens, you may notice a significant drop in productivity by the end of the day.

Light up the space

Lighting is an essential part of creating a productive office, but can be difficult to get completely right. If your lighting is too bright, you’re going to find your eyes straining, whilst lighting that’s too low can create too relaxed an atmosphere and make you and your staff feel tired. However, there are many options to choose from that can rectify this issue.

Natural lighting

Our eyes are designed with natural light in mind, which is why it’s so important to have it incorporated into your office design. Not only is natural light kind to your eyes, it can help to boost a person’s mood, energy levels and overall happiness, leading to an increased productivity when at work.

Yet, many workplaces work with blinds closed and coverings over the windows, instead preferring to rely on their artificial lighting. If this sounds like you, spend some time maximising your natural light capabilities by simply opening your blinds, clearing any obstructions and letting the sun in.

Productive lighting options

Of course, you will obviously need some form of artificial lighting, especially as the days get shorter and luckily, there are various options to choose from that keep productivity in mind. For areas like the reception, your meeting rooms, larger office spaces and hallways, consider investing in ambient lighting to help illuminate an entire area.

For more up close work, it can be a good idea to invest in what are known as task lighting fixtures. This type of lighting consists of things like desk lamps, which offer a more focused beam of light, making them perfect for working at a computer or when writing.

Personalise

An office space that hasn’t been personalised can be a drab and depressing place to be, which can have an adverse effect on productivity. Thankfully, it doesn’t take a huge amount to turn your workplace into a more personalised and welcoming space. For starters, why not invest in art or pictures to break up the beige or gray walls?

According to a study carried out by the Business Committee for the Arts and the International Association of Professional Art Advisors, 94% of people surveyed believed that art enhanced the work environment, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

In the same vein as incorporating art, why not inject a more welcoming colour scheme into the workplace? Colour has an intrinsic link to our psychology, meaning that a great colour scheme can subtly affect the way we work. For an office space, consider lighter, more welcoming colours and shades such as white, light blue and green.

Plants

It really can’t be understated how adding plants to an office space can have a positive effect on performance. There are numerous scientific studies that highlight the benefits of adding a little bit of greenery to your workplace.

From minimizing stress to improving the productivity rate by reducing the overall amount of sick days your employees have, plants can be both a personal and extremely beneficial addition to any office space.

Consider hiring a facilities management team for workplace design

With the above points by no means being an exhaustive list, it can be difficult to know what else you can do to create a harmonious and efficient work environment. However, by hiring a facilities management team, you can take the stress out of maximising productivity.

By outsourcing your facility management requirements, you can take any unnecessary pressure off of your team, helping you to save money in the long run. Also, as you’re working with a team of industry professionals, with the skills, equipment and experience to maximise your workplace’s productivity levels, it’s only natural to see a significant benefit from enlisting their expertise.

Need help with your office fit out? Get in touch with Precision Facilities Management today

Redesigning your office space may seem like an uphill battle, yet the benefits to your productivity could be too valuable to miss. Luckily, making changes to your workplace doesn’t have to be a nightmare, especially as Precision Facilities Management is here to help.

Working with countless clients up and down the British Isles, our simple yet effective ethos of putting the customer at the centre of everything we do has cemented us as one of the UK’s leading facilities services companies.

We offer a comprehensive range of services to help you run an effective business. Whether you’re in need of innovative workplace solutions to turbo charge productivity or a new security system installed to ensure your assets are secure, Precision Facilities Management is here to help.

Want to learn more about how our team of experts can help with your office fit out? Get in touch with one of our advisors on 0843 289 9085 or visit our website for more information.