Office design requires a lot of thinking, and good office design requires even more. This is because the impact that your workplace can have on the success of your business and the happiness of your employees is simply astounding.
High-quality office design that prioritises the experience of the user will require a psychological understanding. That will ensure that every component of your office is positively impacting your staff, day in, and day out.
The importance of good office design
Quality Sydney office design can take your business to the next level. Unfortunately, too many businesses across Australia and the rest of the world don’t take this into consideration, and in the end, their business suffers.
This is what psychologically minded office design can do for your business and your employees.
Attract quality employees
The success of an organisation depends on its people and without the right people, your organisation won’t be able to do what it needs to do. There are a few different factors that influence whether or not a prospective employee wants to work for your company.
These factors include the standard points such as company reputation, salary, the nature of the work, the people and culture, and opportunities for ongoing development. However, another factor that plays a big part in attracting and retaining talent is the state of your office.
Picture this… you’ve just had an interview with a prospective employee and they absolutely blew your socks off. They’re exactly what you’re looking for and more, and you have no doubt they’ll become an integral part of your business for years to come. A few days later, you send them the job offer… and they decline!
You’re stunned, so you decide to ask why they declined the position. They tell you that your workplace isn’t the kind of environment that they’re looking for. That the way your office is designed doesn’t suit the way they work. And it dawns on you… office design is very, very important.
In fact, research shows that office design can have a huge impact on enticing prospective employees to your company. It’s probably one of the first things they’re going to see when they arrive for an interview and if they’re not impressed, you’ll be hard-pressed to make a case for your organisation. That’s even more crucial when this person is someone you’re headhunting from another company, and need to do your very best to entice.
Put simply, you want your office to become a destination workplace. And with office design that plays into the psychology of your employees (current and prospective), you’ll be in a much better position to attract the best talent to your company.
Keep your existing staff happy
Staff happiness is one of the most important considerations for any manager or business owner. In fact, the productivity of your employees is quite dependent on their levels of happiness and satisfaction. According to this study by the University of Oxford, happier staff are 13% more productive!
Your Sydney office design can play an important role in keeping your workers happy throughout the day. For instance, a well-designed kitchen can work wonders for employee morale, while well-placed water fountains will ensure your workers are hydrated and happy throughout the day.
On the other hand, if your kitchen is too small, bathrooms too far away, floor finishes slippery and natural light poor, your staff won’t be happy.
Reduce stress and mental illness
Every one of your employees, throughout your entire workplace, should feel comfortable at work. That is, comfortable enough that elements of your office won’t antagonise any existing mental health concerns. In fact, your office design should aim to create an atmosphere and a space conducive to relaxation.
Research shows that instances of anxiety and depression among office workers are on the rise. What’s more, about 25% of employees take time off every single year for reasons relating to stress and mental health. However, the good news is that this study also found that every dollar spent supporting workers with mental health problems offered a 500% yield in increased productivity!
The way your office is designed can impact your worker’s mental state for the better if you ensure that natural elements, colour, user experience, and distraction are all taken into consideration. By optimising these elements, you can make your office a more relaxing environment and a safe, secure space for your employees.
When they feel comfortable and relaxed at work, it follows that their stress levels and mental health will improve. The Black Dog Institute provides a workplace mental health toolkit that can be an exceptional resource for your organisation. It can be found here.
Good user experience
A range of office design experts speak of the ‘user-experience’ of staff. But what does that actually mean?
Well, in essence, it means the user experience refers to the interactions that your workers have with their workplace each day. That includes using their computer, sitting on their seat, making a cup of coffee, printing, and even simply looking out the window. In terms of psychology, if each of these activities is a smooth and pleasant experience, your staff will be happier. But if something goes wrong, such as a slow program, broken printer, lack of hot water… these interactions will take a toll on your staff.
Designing your office should include considerations for user experience. If you take the time to think about how easily essential services and hardware are going to be for your employees to use, you could be saving your employees a lot of time and stress in the near future.
So how do you design a high-quality office space?
Now, we understand the benefits of good-quality office design. But how exactly do you make sure that your Sydney office fit-out is optimised for a positive psychological impact?
Natural Elements
Natural elements are a critical addition to any office. Elements like natural light, airflow, and even water actually have a huge impact on the well-being of your employees. They’ve been proven to enhance mood, lower stress levels, increase productivity and even promote creativity among your workers.
Research shows that plants in the workplace do reduce stress and in turn, will improve your employees’ levels of happiness. What’s more, the simple act of looking at plants and caring for them has been proven to further reduce stress. Plants are a very affordable addition to any Sydney office space and therefore, should always be considered.
A lack of natural light in the office will have a sizeable impact on your staff. Studies have linked insufficient natural light to increased levels of stress, as well as mental health issues. Therefore, it’s important to support your employees’ well-being by ensuring that your office space has more than enough natural light. Do this by installing additional windows where possible, cleaning windows regularly, and ensuring that windows aren’t blocked by furniture or partitions.
A user experience
As we mentioned earlier, there’s a lot to be said for a good user experience for your employees. Positive interactions with the different parts of your workplace will inevitably lead to happier staff. Therefore, it’s so important to consider the way your design, appliances, and hardware will make your employees feel. Working with a professional Sydney office design company will ensure that your workplace is optimised for a positive experience.
Think about flow
The concept of ‘flow’ applies to any building or room, and it’s often mentioned when people talk about Feng Shui. The flow refers to the way your office is laid out, and therefore, how it flows both physically and visually.
For instance, a labyrinthine office that requires your staff to thread narrow walkways will not be a pleasant space to work in. That kind of design also leads to poor airflow, a lack of light, and is much more difficult to clean. That can then lead to a build-up of dust and grime, making it much more likely that your employees will become ill.
On the other hand, a workspace with flowing corridors and a well-thought-out design will lead to higher levels of staff happiness. That translates into improved productivity and efficiency, as well as fewer days lost to illness.
Hire a professional Sydney office design company
At Niche Projects, we’ll sit down with you and discuss all of the ins and outs of your office fit-out project. We can ensure that the right psychology is prioritised, giving your staff and your business the best opportunity to thrive. Get in touch with us today.