Companies around the world are always looking for ways to gain a competitive advantage and improve the productivity of their staff. One area some companies sometimes ignore is the role office design and furniture can play.

Buying or leasing office space, then purchasing office furniture is a considerable expense for businesses of any size. Therefore, it is easy to see why companies might decide to look for ways to save as much money as possible during this process. However, this is something that can ultimately have a negative impact on the performance of the employees. Investing in high-quality furniture is highly recommended, and here are five ways how office furniture can improve productivity.

Comfortable Employees Are Productive Employees

Anyone who works in an office is likely to spend a considerable amount of time sitting at their desk. Now imagine that employee is sitting in an uncomfortable chair with insufficient space to move around. Back pain and a drop in motivation will likely follow at some point. Therefore, it is vital that you invest in high-quality, ergonomically created chairs and workspaces.

There are numerous advantages to using quality office furniture, and the main one is that happy employees will be able to stay on task easily. It also reduces the possibility of time lost due to back problems and employees spending time away from their desk to relieve their discomfort.

Colors and Shapes That Put Smiles on Their Faces

When considering office furniture, take the time to review the types of work your employees will carry out and how the furniture could aid them in their daily tasks.

Boxy furniture and loud colors can create problems in the workplace. Regarding shape, it may be that you have to invest in straight-edged furniture due to space constraints. However, having rounded workstations or standing desks allows for more movement in the workplace and, in the case of standing desks, many health benefits.

Everything in Its Right Place

When designing a new office space, you should factor in storage, places for collaborative work, and ease of movement around the office. Failure to do this will seriously limit the positive effects of investing in high-quality furniture.

Employees like to work in clutter-free environments, which allows for easy access to documents, office equipment, and each other. On the other hand, employees don’t like working on top of each other, so it is essential to strike a balance between function and design.

Let There Be Light

Ideally, natural light will create the best environment for your employees, but this isn’t always possible. Therefore, you should select furniture which will complement the existing light sources and will not obstruct any light. A dull office is likely to have a negative impact on the mood in the office, especially during long winter months.

Space and Communication

Communication amongst team members is crucial to a successful business, so the office should be designed to facilitate this. Ease of movement is useful, as are open spaces with lots of space to spread out away from the confines of the desk. Circular tables or circular seating arrangements are perfect for collaboration, as are comfortable sofas or bucket chairs.

Getting It Right the First Time

Furnishing an office is a massive expense, so you will want to make sure you make the right decisions before signing off on any furniture. Put simply, a well-designed workplace will be conducive to communication and creativity, leading to increased productivity.