Nobody said running a business is easy. There are so many different aspects to consider. Hiring employees, product development, marketing – the full checklist would extend well beyond this particular article.
Due to this, it is easy to overlook the importance of certain areas. This is the case with the work environment you cultivate. Working without a comfortable, welcoming work environment is going to be detrimental to the productiveness, creativity, and morale of both you and your employees.
To ensure that doesn’t happen, below are a few ideas to keep in mind. With these at the forefront of your planning, you will be able to develop a comfortable work environment.
The right temperature
Temperature plays a big role in overall comfort levels. If workers are too hot or cold, their focus will be diverted elsewhere. Yet like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, when the temperature is just right, this creates a much more palatable work environment.
If your office or premises doesn’t have an adequate HVAC system in place, it’s time to look at investing in one. By working with an expert provider such as Kaiser Air Conditioning, you’ll be able to get the right installation for your needs – no matter how complex – to ensure your employees remain at a cozy temperature.
Go for an open plan design
It wasn’t that long ago when fixed workplace designs were the norm. This is where an employee is assigned a desk, they are then to remain there all day to work. To further exemplify the isolation from others, partitions may also be used to effectively turn the space into a mini office.
This approach is done with the intention to minimize distractions. However, it also promotes monotony and boredom, and this results in a drop to morale levels and productivity.
Instead of a fixed, isolated approach, it is recommended to opt for an open plan design. This open plan design will feature various dedicated spaces for specific activities. For example, there could still be cubicles for employees to focus on their work. Yet these may be joined by spaces like a rest area or conference room, which nurtures a more spacious, free flowing work environment.
Use nature
Bringing nature into the office is one of the most effective ways to develop a comfortable work environment.
There are various ways in which this can be done. One of the easiest is to encourage natural light. By keeping the curtains or blinds open, you are able to bring in light that helps to brighten up the workplace in more ways than one. There are numerous benefits gained with natural light, including stress reduction and greater focus.
Another method to use nature is by adding plants around your workplace. Again, plants also have their own health benefits, and they introduce added color and visual appeal to your space.
Comfortable furniture
It makes sense, right? If you want to develop a comfortable work environment, you need to implement comfortable furniture.
If employees are sitting around for hours a day, a tough chair that doesn’t offer the right support is no good. In fact, it can lead to a myriad of health issues such as back pain and poor blood circulation. Furthermore, it can be a serious distraction and hamper morale levels.
Therefore, it’s highly recommended to invest in high-quality furniture. Ergonomic chairs are an excellent starting point. Once you have comfortable seats, you can extend from this with spacious desks, large monitors, improved lighting, and so on. All of this helps to prevent other problems like headaches and blurred vision.
Make use of technology
Technology might not necessarily be a direct supplier of comfort like furniture. Nevertheless, specialist software can go some way to improving productivity and making life easier for your workers.
For example, the likes of calendars, communication tools, and accounting tools can automate various processes. Rather than certain tasks taking hours to complete, technology ensures they are done in a matter of seconds.
A workplace culture that’s less formal
Again, this isn’t a direct influence on the tangible comfort of your workplace. Yet a cultural change has the ability to create a more welcoming, enjoyable space for your employees.
There are various ways in which you can implement a less formal culture in the workplace. This could be a relaxed approach to uniforms for instance. Another way could be to promote social occasions away from the office. This can be as simple as having lunch at a nearby bar or restaurant.
