From the Pix Me archive — originally published May 2, 2019. Some details may have changed since.
Did you know that comfortable workers are more productive than their uncomfortable counterparts? It’s true; by making your office more comfortable, you really can become more creative and get more done. While cleanliness and organization are important as well, the inherent comfort of the space will play a key role in influencing the mood and productivity of anyone who works in the office. With that said, here are seven ways you can make any office space more comfortable.
1. Add a Water or Beverage Machine
Being adequately hydrated is an essential aspect of staying comfortable, especially when you’re commuting on hot days. You may want to add a commercial water cooler, office sparkling water machine, flavored water dispenser, or other healthy beverage machines from Bevi to keep everyone’s thirst quenched. This will also provide the benefit of keeping your employees from having to go to the store for drinks while they’re on break. Check out the selection of drinks machines from Bevi to find the one that suits your budget.
2. Incorporate Adjustable/Standing Desks
Sitting down all day is not only uncomfortable it’s also really bad for you. Studies have shown that an overly sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of developing all sorts of diseases and disorders. Adding an adjustable or standing desk to the space will give you the ability to work in different positions throughout the day. This will help with your posture and reduce your risk of developing back problems and other repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Let More Natural Light In
Research proves that natural sunlight improves mood and productivity while also fighting depression. The warm radiance shining in through the windows also enhances circulation and the ultra-bright, second-to-none illumination powers of the sun also serve to increase alertness. Thus, having plenty of natural sunlight is one of the best ways to enhance the mental and emotional comfort of an office space, while also providing health benefits as well. The only downside is that you will have to be careful about where the direct sunlight is hitting, and you may need glare protectors for your monitors.
4. Add Bean Bags or Recliners
Office chairs can only feel comfortable for so long. When you’re taking a break and you don’t feel like standing up in a break room or sitting in a hard chair at a break table, a bean bag or recliner is just the sort of relaxing respite you need. Recliners are also useful for taking the famous 15-minute coffee power nap and they put you in an ideal position to use a laptop, tablet, or another mobile device.
5. Switch to Ergonomic Equipment
If you really want to improve the functional comfort of the equipment in your office space, start by upgrading everything to an ergonomic edition. Namely, all desks, chairs, and mouse/keyboard combos should be ergonomic. It may cost more to go completely ergonomic, however.
6. Optimize Artificial Lighting
Although natural sunlight will definitely help to boost productivity, when the sun starts to go down and you’re trying to get things done in the evening, you’ll want to have optimal indoor lighting as well. The wrong kind of light spectrum can cause headaches and premature mental fatigue, particularly if the light is too bright or intense. Try to set up lamps so that they provide adequate illumination but with a warm glow instead of the flat white glare that many overpowered, overhead office lights provide.
7. Use Indoor Decorative Plants
Studies show that indoor plants can improve mood and outlook while also generating a little bit of oxygen and purifying the air to a degree. While they’re no replacement for air purifiers, small plants do serve to catch dust, dander, and other indoor pollutants on their leaves. Additionally, the greenery is known to promote a relaxed and stress-free work environment. Don’t try to substitute with plastic plants as the effect just isn’t the same. Be sure to add a plant watering and maintenance regimen to your office upkeep schedule, as you don’t want to be showing up to work one day with sad or dead plants.
Creating Comfort is Simple Yet Important
In conclusion, there’s really no need to undergo any special training or education to learn how to make your office space more comfortable. With just the tips above and a bit of common sense, you’ll have one of the most comfortable office spaces you can imagine. In fact, one could argue that lighting, furniture, and a few other steps are all it takes to turn your office into a super comfortable lounge that is conducive to both relaxation and productivity at the same time.
Many people think that too much comfort is a bad thing because it will make you lazy. The truth is, maximizing the comfort of your office space is one of the best ways to give you and your co-workers a morale boost.
