Every day, businesses encourage employees to be more efficient and productive. There are dozens of ways to make this happen, such as implementing innovative technology and bringing in productivity experts.
However, in an office setting, workspace design can significantly impact small business productivity more than almost any other choice or strategy. Whether you have dozens of employees or work from home alone, setting up an efficient workspace is one of the best things you can do to improve your performance and care for your mental well-being.
Having a productive workspace is crucial for staying focused, motivated and efficient throughout the workday Whether you work from home or in an office, your workspace has a significant impact on your productivity levels From keeping distractions at bay to incorporating design elements that spark creativity, optimizing your work environment requires both physical and mental adjustments.
Follow the tips below to design a workspace that supports productivity, creativity and efficiency
Set Up a Comfortable and Functional Space
First and foremost ensure your workspace is ergonomic and comfortable. No amount of organization or personalization will make an uncomfortable workstation conducive to productivity.
Evaluate your:
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Desk and chair set up: Invest in an adjustable desk and ergonomic chair designed to properly align your wrists, forearms, thighs and eyes with your monitor. Proper alignment minimizes back, neck and eye strain.
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Monitor position: Position your monitor an arm’s length away and at eye level to prevent neck strain. If using a laptop, raise it on a stand and use a wireless keyboard and mouse.
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Leg room: Have enough space under your desk to stretch your legs. Insufficient leg room leads to cramps and restlessness.
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Storage: Use vertical space for maximum storage. Install shelves, cabinets and organizers to store files, supplies and personal items. Keep only essentials within reach to minimize desktop clutter.
Remember, comfort is key. Take regular breaks to stretch, hydrate and recharge. A comfortable workstation accommodates your needs and supports productivity all day long.
Tidy Up Every Day
Cluttered workspaces drain mental energy and hinder focus. Set aside five minutes at the end of each workday to:
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File away loose papers and notes
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Put away supplies
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Clear your desktop
Start each morning on a clean slate with a decluttered workspace. You will feel less overwhelmed, distracted and more motivated knowing everything has a place.
Keep Refreshments Within Easy Reach
Staying properly hydrated and fueled affects concentration, energy levels and ability to focus. Keep water, healthy snacks and a reusable coffee mug/water bottle within arm’s reach. This prevents having to leave your desk when hunger or thirst strikes. Stock your workstation with:
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Water pitcher and glass
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Trail mix, granola bars, fresh fruit
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Tea, coffee, Emergen-C packets
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Reusable water bottle and coffee mug
Eliminate unnecessary trips away from your desk by keeping nutritious snacks and beverages close by.
Incorporate Some Greenery
Adding plants to your workspace boosts creativity, happiness and productivity. Plants improve air quality by absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen. Caring for office plants also provides a welcome break from screen time. Have a couple low maintenance plants like:
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Succulents
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Snake plants
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Pothos
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Peace lilies
Position plants near natural light if possible. Water once a week and dust leaves occasionally. If concerned about allergies, choose hypoallergenic varieties.
Add a Subtle Scent
Pleasant ambient scents have a positive effect on mood, productivity and concentration. Avoid strong aromas which can cause headaches or allergies. Instead, try:
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All-natural soy candles
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Essential oil diffuser with lemon, peppermint or eucalyptus oil
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Fresh flowers
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Scented lotions with light floral or citrus scents
Switch up scents regularly so you do not become desensitized. Subtle scents keep the workspace feeling fresh and invigorating.
Place Frequently Used Items Within Reach
Position tools, devices and supplies you use most within arm’s reach. This prevents wasting time searching for items when you need them. Keep essentials like:
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Pens, highlighters, sticky notes
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Planner, notebooks, chargers
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Tape, scissors, stapler
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External hard drive, mouse, keyboard
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Headphones, water bottle, coffee mug
Customize your workspace so necessities are readily accessible. Organization boosts efficiency.
Minimize Noise Levels
Auditory distractions hamper focus and productivity. Try noise-cancelling headphones or play white noise/ambient sounds to drown out chatter and interruptions. If possible:
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Close office doors and silence phone notifications.
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Politely ask loud co-workers to keep volume down.
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Move away from high-traffic zones.
Creating a quiet workspace curbs sonic disruptions. With fewer distractions you can better concentrate on complex tasks.
Create Space for Movement
Sitting for prolonged periods slows metabolism, clouds thinking and causes body aches. Combat sedentarity by building movement into your workday routine.
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Set a timer to remind yourself to stand up and stretch hourly. March in place to get blood flowing.
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Replace your chair with a balance board or stability ball. Engage your core muscles to remain balanced.
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Walk during phone calls and meetings. Pace back and forth or climb stairs.
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Do seated stretches and isometric exercises like shoulder rolls and ankle circles.
Incorporating regular movement improves circulation, boosts energy and keeps you alert. A workspace that accommodates motion keeps you energized and engaged all day long.
Other Tips for an Optimal Workspace
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Decorate with personal mementos – Surround yourself with items that spark joy like photos, artwork, trinkets and memorabilia.
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Allow natural light – Sit near a window if possible. Natural light boosts vitamin D, regulates circadian rhythm and uplifts mood.
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Incorporate your favorite colors – Paint walls or accessorize with hues you find relaxing and inspiring.
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Play your favorite music – Listening to beloved songs enhances mood and creativity.
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Display vision board – Place inspiring quotes, travel photos or goal visualizations within view.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to designing an optimized workspace. Experiment to determine what elements allow you to feel happiest and most productive. Re-evaluate your setup regularly and make adjustments as your needs and preferences evolve.
The workspace you occupy for 8+ hours daily significantly impacts your output, focus and efficiency. Invest time into designing an environment tailored to keeping you comfortable, inspired and distraction-free. A thoughtfully constructed workspace provides the foundation for maintaining peak productivity all day, every day.
Include some areas for uninterrupted focus.
If you have an open office plan, your employees may need places to focus and finish work without interruptions. If your setup has cubicles or desks near each other, designate private offices or meeting spaces that employees can sign up to use when they must work without distractions.
Design the overall office layout for movement.
When you’re designing a workspace for multiple employees, it’s essential to consider how they interact with the whole space. Evaluate where everything is located and how item placement affects how employees move through their day.
Careful resource placement doesn’t mean everything should be so convenient that employees never have to move from their desks. In fact, your workspace design should encourage employees to move around throughout the day to simultaneously reduce stress and boost productivity.
For example, put the copy machine in a separate space or have a central water cooler. A separate kitchen or break room can also give employees a reason to get up and a place to take a break without worrying about who will see them not working.
how to create a productive workspace
How to create a productive workspace?
Here are a few steps you can follow on how to create a productive workspace where you can thrive: 1. Set up a comfortable and functional space Setting up the space is key in creating an area where you can feel comfortable while working. Invest in high-quality ergonomic furniture that allows you to sit comfortably without physical strain.
How to boost productivity by improving your workspace?
Consider the following six ways to boost productivity by improving your workspace. 1. Establish a strong culture, then look at your office layout. Your office design and layout are crucial. However, cultivating an atmosphere of workplace productivity is the first step. Here’s what you should focus on:
How to make your workspace a den of productivity?
7 Tips for Making Your Workspace a Den of Productivity 1) Let the sun shine. 2) Keep warm and carry on. 3) Pick the right music (or opt for no music at all). 4) Go green. 5) Add some yellow accents. 6) Feng shui your desk. 7) Use (at least) two monitors.
Why should you create a productive workplace?
Creating a productive workplace doesn’t just ensure that your organization meets its business goals. Promoting productivity also helps you to create a healthy and engaged workplace culture, which keeps your organization viable in the long term. Most of us already understand that morale boosts productivity. Productivity also boosts morale.
