In general, people spend eight hours or more at work daily. By itself, most people even consider their workplace dull, depressing, and dysfunctional at times. Workplace environment profoundly affects employees’ productivity, performance, and health. Over the years, efforts have been taken to revamp offices and make them conducive for work again. From cubicle farms, open-plan offices, to flexible workspaces—the search continues for the most optimal workplace setup.
Recent studies show that incorporating nature into the workplace can bring about numerous benefits, such as enhanced productivity and creativity, reduced absenteeism, and improved overall wellness and satisfaction among employees. This is linked to the biophilia hypothesis, which suggests that humans have an intrinsic need to be connected with nature and other life forms.
As such, several companies are starting to look into innovative ways to bring more of nature inside their offices and are investing more in commercial landscaping services, not just in Beaumont but in other parts of the USA as well. This is to transform their outdoor spaces into lush gardens where employees can take a few moments off their busy schedule to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Achieving a biophilic design need not be a one-time, big-time expense. If you’re on a slightly tight budget, it’s all right to start small. Here are a few practical ways to begin incorporating nature into your office without breaking the bank:
Go Green
Adding indoor plants and integrating greenery into your office is the way to go. Plants not only bring life to your workspace but also boost your employees’ mood. For a more cost-effective approach, you may mix live plants with artificial plants. You can also start with something as simple as including nature-themed wallpapers or graphics into your office interior.
Maximize Natural Lighting
Exposure to natural light is often attributed to better physical and mental health. Thus, as much as possible, assign your employees to workspaces near an outside window. Better yet, find ways to bring in more light by removing curtains or fixtures that block the entry of natural light. Another option is to install skylights in your office. Aside from their aesthetic value, skylights increase natural lighting, which can, in turn, help you save on energy costs. Indoor lights that perfectly mimic natural sunlight are also a great alternative, especially if your office lacks windows.
Choose Colors Wisely
Colors can evoke a variety of emotions, which can affect your employees’ moods and even outputs. When choosing office colors, it would be safe to stick with neutral and earth tones like brown, green, blue, and white. It’s also essential to understand the psychological effects of colors and how to apply them accordingly on office designs. For example, blue, green, and yellow are generally associated with creativity and productivity, so you might want to use more of these colors for your office.
Use Natural Elements for Decorations
Nature doesn’t mean dealing with plants per se. There are a lot of other elements that you can consider, such as wood, shells, stones, bricks, and even patterns that are present in nature. You can integrate these materials into your office furniture and other decorative accents. Incorporating water elements can also do the trick—for instance, adding an aquarium or a tabletop water fountain.
There will always be a new trend when it comes to interior office designs. However, human’s innate need to connect with nature will always be there. As employers, it’s good to recognize and address this need early on. The key is to continually engage your people. Find out what they need, find out what inspires and motivates them. Sometimes, the only way to understand your employees is to see things from their perspective.