Workspace Aesthetics: Are You Taking Full Advantage to Boost Employee Performance?

Can the aesthetics of your workplace have an effect on your employees' performance? Many experts believe so. 

That's not to say that you should blow your capital on posh offices and great furniture, but the overall aesthetics of your workplace can say a lot, both to your employees and your customers.

For example, a chronically disorganised office can cause undue stress for your employees. Likewise, a claustrophobic-feeling workplace can make your employees feel that they've got to get away.

The following are several simple things you can do to take full advantage of your workplace's aesthetics and, in doing so, boost your employees' performance:

Improve the Lighting

Studies have shown that increasing the amount of natural light in an office can have a direct impact on productivity. Your employees' attention and alertness will likely improve by simply giving them more natural light while they work. If it's not possible to bring natural light into all of your work spaces, you can improve conditions by replacing fluorescent lights with softer, more ambient lighting. Personal lamps can also improve the lighting and give your office a warmer, more personal feel.

Add Plants

If your office environment feels heavy and industrial, add succulents or other natural plants to your decor. Plants improve air quality, reduce bacteria, and even help to protect people from illness. There are many plants that are easy to care for that could be incorporated in your workspace aesthetics: ferns, bromeliads, ivies, and peace lilies, for starters.

Allow for Personalisation

Your workers spend many of their waking hours in their workspaces, so give them permission to decorate their own areas. Some employers provide a small allowance for their workers to decorate their desks and offices. This helps with employee retention and motivation.

Rethink Cubicles

High-walled cubicles promote isolation and poor lighting, so if your workplace is full of high-walled cubes, you might want to rethink your configuration. If you're concerned about noise and privacy, you may want to keep cubicles, but keep your barriers small. By opening up your walls, you're more likely to improve employee relationships, which in turn keeps everyone in better moods.

Improve Your Signage

High-quality, professional signs signal to your employees and your customers that you've got it all together. This is important both for your exterior branding and also for your indoor signage. Personalised desk or door signs give people a sense of security and belonging; signs give employees a sense of pride in their positions. It's a small thing, but it can go a long way in boosting employee performance.

Did you find any tips you can use to improve your company's workspace? Let us know what elements are working at your workplace. The little things count, so take some time to do something to improve your employees' surroundings.