Everyone knows how you structure an assembly line in a manufacturing plant will have a direct impact on bottom line. The key is optimizing the process. This might mean reducing the number of steps a worker must make to accomplish their portion of the assembly process. This same philosophy can and should also be implemented office layout ideas as well.
The reason you don’t often hear about this methodology outside the plant is because of the subjective result measurements. Instead, you must go beyond the rudimentary layout constructs that keep each department confined to a specific zone. This design is somewhat analogous to plant floor layouts which keeps those who interact the most near one another. Thus, reducing travel time and improving internal communication. The intangible elements of designing the perfect workspace layout lie in the details.
Incorporate Color Theory In Your Office Layout Ideas
The most obvious place to start is with the best color to paint the interior of your office. I originally assumed that color theory was a concrete science. Especially since principles were found in the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci from the 15th century. However, I was surprised to find out that the research is inconclusive due to a multitude of elements. There is a consensus though about the effects each color can have on the viewer.
Blue is a great color for an office environment, since it soothes. Overall, this helps calm the mind and aid concentration. But you should consider using yellow in your Research and Development department. Because it has energizing attributes that can stimulate the mind, thus promoting new ideas and reducing mental fatigue. Green is the color you want to use in your relaxation annex should you have one. It doesn’t strain your eyes, so it creates a sense of calm and reassurance.
Floral Additions
Now let’s talk about floral arrangements in the office. There are more benefits to keeping flowers and plants around the office than just livening up the place and making it look pretty for visiting clients. First and foremost, did you know that plants clean air? Thaaaaaaank goodness NASA funded some research back in the ’60s to confirm this. The research did serve a purpose for identifying concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are known irritants and potential carcinogens, of which they found 107 inside the Skylab space station. You can only imagine how many they would find in a crowded office space. Aside from cleaning the air, plants in the office also can reduce stress and increase productivity.
Games and Exercise
Finally, let’s touch on some of the more unique and ever-increasing additions we see in the modern-day office space: games and exercise. Two activities once reserved for one’s leisure time outside of the workplace are now becoming just as convenient as access to an industrial size copier. On the surface, you would expect these additions to be a form of corporate suicide with the distraction that they would create. However, advocates of these lavish benefits argue that they provide team building and de-stressing options plus aid in the retention of some employees. Needless to say corporate wellness also looks great from a recruitment standpoint.
To sum things up, if you’re looking to create a more inviting office culture, make sure to do the following. Paint your office environment blue and your research department yellow. Stock up on plants because you can never have too much clean air and productivity. Finally, don’t forget to clear space for a ping pong table and dumbbells. With just these three elements added, your office game is going to be off the charts.
To learn more about improving your business, consider taking one of our Business Strategy courses for HRCI/SHRM or APA credits to learn more about these necessary skills.
Article written by Vaughn Pourchot
Last updated March 10, 2023
