5 Ways to Create a Productive Workspace

An ideal workplace should allow you to be more creative and efficient. Here are some tips to spruce up your proverbial “productivity den.”

When touching on the subject of productivity, most people think of immaterial things like setting their long-term goals, adjusting their mindsets, and assessing their motivations. Rarely do they ponder on how external factors can affect the inner workings of their mind. To illustrate, did you know that the design of your workspace has everything to do with your productivity levels? The state of your work surroundings can have an enormous impact on how you behave. Little adjustments here and there can make all the difference between a work-conducive space and one that kills a productive atmosphere.

Taking Ownership of Your Workspace

You should assert some control over your workplace, regardless of whether you work in an office or at home, because a little empowerment can boost your productivity. As a 2010 study headed by Craig Knight from Identity Realization found, a group of Londoners who were given liberty to arrange a small office was thirty-two percent more productive than the group that was denied this privilege. The first group also showed signs of increased work efficiency, commitment, and team effort.

What does this imply? It’s obvious, really — exercising control over your work conditions can improve productivity. As much as possible, personalize your workspace and let a little part of you reflect on your surroundings.

Concrete Ways to Make a Space Conducive for Work

While posting personal pictures and setting up a pin board on your work station can help in making it your own, these are not enough to boost your efficiency. Here are more concrete things for you to try:

1. Invest on comfortable and ergonomic furniture.

As a regular office worker, you’ll probably be spending most of your days in front of a computer, typing the hours away. Sounds bleak, eh? Imagine a worse situation where you have an uncomfortable chair to slouch in and a poorly adjusted table to rest your arms on. Can you put up with that rigmarole every day while producing outputs that exceed the quality of your work conditions?

No? We thought so. That’s why it’s ideal to invest in comfortable furniture, meaning, ergonomic chairs and correctly fitted tables. You can also stand while working, so have a high table ready when you feel like working on your feet.

2. Adjust the lighting according to your preferences.

Eye strain, fatigue, and headache — these three are common in the workplace. The denominator? Bad lighting.

Nothing defeats daylight as a good source of energy. By having plenty of natural light, you can maintain your body’s circadian rhythm throughout the day, making you more energized and productive. If you have limited access to natural light, you can opt for artificial lighting, but make sure to set the brightness and hue right.

3. Use colors that evoke positive emotional responses.

Did you know that the colors around you can alter your mood? By surrounding yourself with positive colors, you can increase your work appetite and consequently produce more output. Decorating your surroundings with dull colors, on the other hand, can dampen your spirits and tire you out easily. Here are some reminders when choosing colors for your workspace:

Blue and green. These two are proven to enhance performance. They’re ideal for jobs that entail generating fresh ideas on a daily basis.

Red. This color has been linked to superior performance on tasks that require attention to detail. Still, it brings with it an aggressive energy that can be overbearing to some.

Yellow. This cheery color packs the same level of energy that red possesses, without the overwhelming sensation that often comes with it.

Gray and white. Neutral tones are not very stimulating, so a workplace with only these colors is unlikely to be conducive for productivity.

4. Play music that will get you pumped up for work.

Noise affects your ability to stay focused on the task at hand. While generic piercing noises are generally distracting, music can have a more polarizing effect. Some can’t work with music blaring on their ears while others can’t concentrate with only white noise on the background. Know what gets you into work mode and leverage it. You can embrace music or silence — just go with whatever works for you.

5. Add plants to animate and vivify your workplace.

So…you have cozy chairs and tables, an efficient lighting system, cool colors to get you into work mode, and a playlist to keep you pumped up as your mental gears turn — the question is, are these enough to create a workspace that invites productivity? The short answer is yes, but we won’t go with the short answer because you deserve the long one.

The first four items mentioned are basic. If you get them right, you can count on a productive day. However, there is another surefire way to boost your productivity: throwing greens into the mix. You can decorate your desk with a small plant to keep you connected with nature. You can also take a quick walk to the park or garden during breaks to breathe in fresh air and breathe out toxicity. If you can’t afford to have these natural indulgences, you can add faux green elements in the workplace, such as fake plants and a nature-inspired screensaver that you can stare at during downtimes. Find ways to include nature in your daily grind so you’ll be more inspired to work.

It’s easy to neglect the state of your workplace and dismiss it as a waste of time and effort, but once you understand its role in the larger picture, you’ll find it easier to give it more attention. Follow the abovementioned tips to create an atmosphere that allows you to get more work done. Happy decorating!

Resources:

Devaney, Erik. “How to Turn Your Workspace Into a Den of Productivity.” Hubspot. April 22, 2016. blog.hubspot.com/marketing/workspace-productivity-tips#sm.0000w6nx4vstbcwkqnc12umt2kzcx

Elam, Liz. “7 Steps to a More Productive and Inspiring Workspace.” Fast Company. November 25, 2014. www.fastcompany.com/3038981/7-steps-to-a-more-productive-and-inspiring-workspace

Feltham, Melanie. “The Best Colors for Business and Productivity.” Upwork. n.d. www.upwork.com/blog/2015/01/best-colors-for-business

Jarrett, Christian. “The Perfect Workspace (According to Science).” 99U. n.d. 99u.com/articles/35951/the-cavemans-guide-to-building-a-better-office

Malik, Shiv. “Plants in Offices Increase Happiness and Productivity.” The Guardian. September 1, 2014. www.theguardian.com/money/2014/aug/31/plants-offices-workers-productive-minimalist-employees

Rees, Heather. “15 Office Design Tricks That Will Increase Your Productivity at Work.” Lifehack. n.d. www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/15-office-design-tricks-that-will-increase-your-productivity-work.html