Have you ever found yourself wondering how you might create a more comfortable office space? When we think about comfortable work environments, it all comes down to what your employees or colleagues need to feel valued and appreciated in their place of work. It is essential that they feel like an irreplaceable part of the team, and as such are treated in a way that reflects this. Alongside this, in addition to the perks that make coming into work pleasant, you also need to equip your employees with the tools they need to succeed. Simple features like natural lighting, comfortable yet supportive seating, efficient technology and signs of appreciation will make all the difference when it comes to boosting morale and establishing an enjoyable working environment.
Why is a Comfortable Office Space Essential?
When designing an office space, ‘comfort’ should be one of the keywords at the core of your vision. Making comfort a top priority not only boosts morale and productivity, but it also helps to build a more positive company culture overall. When your workforce feels that their needs are being heard, they’ll feel much more inclined to contribute to your organisation’s overall success. In turn, you’ll find yourself with a more cohesive team that is happy to show up to work everyday.
Tips For Creating a Comfortable Office Space
Below are 12 tips to help you get started with the process of creating a more comfortable workspace.
1. Provide Comfortable Yet Supportive Seating
There’s nothing worse than sitting through a long meeting in an uncomfortable chair. It makes it hard to concentrate, and your employees will be less inclined to contribute in a positive manner. An easy way to solve this issue is to provide comfortable seating. If you’re hosting an in-person meeting, be sure to equip your conference room with chairs that are not only comfortable, but that also promote good posture and offer plenty of lumbar support. If your team mainly works remotely, consider offering a stipend that can be used to purchase ergonomic office equipment, like a chair and a desk.
2. Offer Standing Desks as an Option
Sitting for hours on end is a reality for millions of office workers, and many find fault with having to do so. And it’s hardly surprising given that sitting at a desk all day has been known to cause neck, back and hip pain. Although they won’t be suitable for or preferable to everyone, offering your employees the option of working with a standing desk will help them to protect their posture, and will increase efficiency as a result. Giving them the choice will also reaffirm that their needs are being heard.
3. Maintain a Neutral Temperature
You won’t want your employees to be overheating and lethargic on hot days, nor do you want them to be freezing during the winter months. As part of creating a comfortable office space, you should take everybody’s temperature preferences into account. Maintaining a neutral temperature that’s not too hot or cold is the easiest way to keep everyone happy.
4. Use Calming Colours & Decor
It can be difficult to get your best work done in a chaotic environment. In addition to harbouring a welcoming culture, your office should exude positivity and relaxation through its decor. Warm colours, calming plants and neutral, minimalist decor are all great additions that will make your office a nicer place to work.
5. Position Office Spaces by Windows
No one wants to work in a dark, dingy corner of an office that’s positioned directly underneath a fluorescent light. Natural light is proven in its ability to encourage positivity and boost morale as a result. Additionally, research suggests that employees who work best in natural light experienced reduced stress levels and even a greater satisfaction with their job role compared to those who don’t. Placing workspaces by light windows is a surefire way to maintain a calm environment.
6. Prioritise Good Lighting
Even if an abundance of light isn’t available in your space, providing good lighting is still essential. Appropriate lighting without glare or shadows can reduce the risk of eye fatigue and headaches, and can even help to prevent workplace incidents by increasing the visibility of safety hazards. When choosing what kind of lighting is best for your office space, cool blue or cool white lights are better for waking up, working and concentrating. Both fluorescent and LED bulbs emit light on the blue and white spectrum, making them ideal for the workplace.
7. Encourage a Relaxed Dress Code
Gone are the days of strict dress codes and highly formal clothing. Workplaces are increasingly beginning to embrace values that favour more progressive policies, one of which is a more relaxed dress code. Business casual is taking on a new meaning – embracing comfy clothing and trainers, and eliminating the need for suits and dresses. Instead of opting for a set dress code, you might want to encourage employees to wear what makes them feel most comfortable (so long as it’s appropriate for the workplace). Your team will feel free to be more true to themselves, and will feel more positive about coming to work as a result.
8. Provide Up-to-Date Technology
Businesses that provide technology for their employees are more likely to generate positive outcomes. If your employees don’t have the technological means to succeed, then it might become very difficult for them to do their jobs. A big part of creating a comfortable office space is about empowering your workers, and it’ll be easier for them to excel in their roles if they have the right tools at their disposal. Alongside up-to-date IT equipment, consider accessories like noise-cancelling headphones for Zoom meetings or ergonomic laptop stands to improve posture.
9. Have Designated Meeting Rooms
Establishing a dedicated meeting room is important for a number of reasons. Having these rooms gives your employees the peace of mind that meetings are kept confidential if need be, and will allow them to speak their mind more openly and honestly as a result. It also gives them a place of respite if they are struggling with an issue, or require support from the appropriate representative.
10. Equip the Office With Plenty of Charging Stations
It’s incredibly frustrating when you’re in the middle of a meeting or deep in the work zone and you notice that your laptop tablet is about to die. A quick fix is to install plenty of charging stations around the office. Teammates are thus able to move freely – working wherever they feel most comfortable or inspired, or collaborating with colleagues on exciting projects.
11. Provide a Well-Stocked Break Room
One of the most fundamental things you can do for your team is to create a well-stocked break room. This space should be a relaxing, work-devoid zone where employees can unplug for a while and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. Think comfy seating, fun games, plenty of snacks and drinks and appliances that make cooking or preparing a meal easy. Oh, and don’t forget the coffee!
12. Snacks For Success
Nothing incentivises a team quite like a great selection of snacks. When employees are putting in long hours, fatigue and hunger can quickly set in. A great way to re-energise your team and show them how much you appreciate their hard work is by providing them with complimentary snacks and drinks. When doing so, remember to take stock of everyone’s preferences and any dietary restrictions. In order to be truly appreciated, it’s important that you remain inclusive with your approach, so make sure that you supply treats that everybody on your team is free to enjoy.
Upgrade Your Office Furniture Today!
As we mentioned earlier, comfortable yet supportive seating is one of the most important aspects of creating a better office space for your employees. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find office chairs that tick all of the right boxes but are also relatively affordable. Fortunately, Corporate Spec is here to help. Dealing exclusively in refurbished workplace furniture, we supply businesses of all kinds with high-quality, branded office chairs. The list of designer brands we supply is vast and includes Boss Designs, Fritz Hansen, Haworth Zody and many more.
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No matter what sort of office chairs you are looking for – whether it’s mesh back chairs, meeting chairs or office benches – we are sure to have the right solution for your needs. All of the furniture we sell is carefully restored and refurbished, and with certain products discounted up to 80%, we certainly won’t be beaten on price. Shop our full range today, or please contact us for more information.
