Office workers spend a hefty amount of time in the workplace. While most employees spend eight hours a day in the office, there are some who actually spend a lot more.
Considering how much time in a week is spent in the workplace, employers should prioritize making a workspace as comfortable and conducive to productivity as possible. While there are companies that make sure that the office feels like home as much as possible by providing employees with the best machines and workstations, there are some areas in the office that are given little attention.
Take the common area for example.
It’s one of the most used areas in the office since it can be accessed by every employee, no matter what position. Here, they can spend their break time comfortably—supposedly.
Even though it’s an important part of the office, little attention is given to making sure that employees are comfortable using it. Even without spending too much budget on your common area, there are tons of ways to improve it, bringing something new and bright to the workplace.
- Add plants. Lots of it.
The use of plants is one of the office interior design trends this year and for good reason. There are proven health and productivity benefits of using natural greenery in decorating the office. It was shown to help employees reduce stress and enhance creativity. In fact, it can even improve the attitude of employees. Another benefit is how the abundance of office plants can improve the air quality indoors.
After spending hours in an airconditioned room, even the littlest ways to improve the indoor quality can go a long way for employees. It doesn’t cost a lot to maintain plants, too, so adding a few potted ones in the common area is a good idea.
- Opt for comfortable chairs and couches.
Common areas are often during break time when employees are looking for a quick getaway from their computers. Providing soft chairs and couches to your hardworking staff is the least you can do to give them at least 15-minute of comfortable rest. Bean bags, ottoman chairs, and cuddler chairs are unconventional seating arrangements you can consider.
- Build a mini library where employees can borrow books.
They say that a room without a book is like a body without a soul. Instead of just random decorations for the common area, how about a bookshelf filled with books that employees can read during their break time or take home for a specific period?
Management, leadership, and productivity books can be a great addition to your office’s mini-library. You can also crowdsource and ask the employees what books they’d love to see in it.
- Use one wall as a whiteboard wall.
Common areas can also be used as an alternative for conference rooms. It can also be used for short team meetings or huddles so why not convert one side of the room into a whiteboard wall? Here, leaders can easily jot down their ideas while discussing.
The wall can also be used to put up announcements, or employees can be encouraged to display their talent and creativity by drawing illustrations on it.
- Make refreshments easily available.
Adding a vending machine and a coffee maker in the common area can further improve its appeal. Instead of going back and forth between the office pantry and the common area just to get drinks, employees can just proceed here.
Admittedly, not all offices can afford to create a beautiful space for their common areas. But for companies that have enough resources for it, it will really be worthwhile to invest resources on an area commonly used by most employees.
Leave a Reply