Your workspace design can help increase productivity. You can implement design features that reduce noise pollution, create privacy, and give energy through color. Here are a few ideas on how to increase productivity in your workplace through workplace design.
Reduce Noise Pollution
Sometimes you can reduce noise pollution by actually adding more noise. This works through noise masking systems. These systems create an ambient uniform sound that can muffle distracting conversations taking place many feet away. When these conversations are muffled, they become incomprehensible and therefore less of a distraction.
Noise pollution can also be reduced by installing carpeting or acoustic paneling. Having half the reverberation time of laminate flooring, carpet absorbs more sound decibels with sound waves reflecting slower off the soft surface. In comparison, laminate flooring barely reduces any noise at all.
Acoustic paneling is different from sound proofing. While sound proofing works to keep sound from escaping a room, acoustic paneling works to reduce noise and improve sound quality. Acoustic paneling is often found in recording studios, home theatres, churches, and restaurants.
Whichever way you decide to reduce the noise pollution in your workspace, you’ll find that with less noise it is easier to be productive.
Create Privacy
Modular walls are becoming more popular as open office plans become a thing of the past. People are realizing that they oftentimes need privacy to be productive. In order to gain this privacy, people are utilizing modular walls to create rooms in otherwise open spaces. The great thing about modular walls is that they are lightweight and can easily be reconfigured to meet a company’s changing space requirements. They are long-lasting and can be used again and again. Modular walls can also help to reduce noise pollution because of their inner core.
Privacy booths are another way to create private spaces in an open office. Resembling a phone booth, privacy booths provide visual and audio privacy. And not only are these booths great for making phone calls, but they create a secure space for video conferencing, remote IT support, and interviews. They fit in tight spaces but also have spacious interior, sufficient lighting, and proper ventilation to support productivity.
Color Psychology
Color psychology is the study of how we react to seeing different colors. Color can affect out mood, behavior, and even our workplace performance. To increase productivity consider using colors known to give energy and encourage work.
Red can stimulate productivity, but when used in large quantities it can be harmful. Because the color red is also known to increase one’s heart rate and stress levels. Also, consider the red around us: stop signs, traffic lights, firetrucks, medical signage. Red is a color usually used to alarm danger and caution one to stop.
Blue is often a color chosen for workplace design. It balances serenity with productivity. It creates a calmness reminiscent of the sea and sky, allowing workers to relax into their work. Soft shades of blue are highly reflective. Because of this soft blues can make a room feel bigger by allowing for more light to fill the space. Natural light is also known to improve one’s energy and productivity.
