Start the New Year with these inspiring hints for creating a productive workspace.
Productivity in the workplace is fundamental for success, but it’s not just about getting the most done in the shortest amount of time. Achieving optimal productivity also depends on the office furniture and layout in your working environment.
In this post, we’ll cover a variety of productivity-boosting tips for office furniture and office space planning, including: 
- Prioritize ergonomics
- Allow for standing and moving around
- Make storage easily accessible
- Maximize your light exposure
- Let your workspace inspire you
- Have spaces to work other than your desk
- Assess the benefits and drawbacks of open office plans
Keep reading for more information on how to implement these ideas.
Prioritize ergonomics
Establishing ideal ergonomic conditions in the workplace is important because bodies that are stressed by long periods in awkward postures or repeated movements can damage musculoskeletal health and decrease productivity. Since everyone is built differently, look for adjustable office furniture that can adapt to different shapes and sizes. Keep these office furniture hints in mind to achieve optimal desk ergonomics and maximize productivity:
- Elbows on your armrest should be parallel with the surface of your desk
- Legs should be at a 90-degree angle, with your knees in line (or slight below ) your hips, so your feet can rest flat on the floor
- Sit up straight and keep your hips far back in the chair
- When looking straight ahead, your eyes should be level with the top 1/3 of your computer screen
- The back of your chair should be slightly reclined at a 100- to 110-degree angle
Allow for standing and moving around
Most of us are guilty of the unhealthy practice of sitting at a desk for too long without standing or moving around. But you can help stave off sedentary illnesses and promote productivity-boosting mental concentration just by spending some of your day working on your feet. When selecting office furniture, choose adjustable monitor risers and sit-to-stand workstations that lend the flexibility to work while sitting or standing. And if you’re designing office space plans from scratch, build in areas like kitchens and breakrooms that encourage you and your colleagues to get up and walk around.
Make storage easily accessible
Do you often get sidetracked searching for missing files or put off tasks that require you to use inconveniently located equipment? These time-suckers are prime deterrents in productivity. Ensuring that you have easily accessible storage for files, equipment, and supplies can help you get what you need and get on with your day.
Some office furniture features that can help improve your storage accessibility include:
- Multifunction cabinets that can store both files and other supplies in one place
- Wheels that allow you to move file or printing equipment storage to a convenient location
- Adjustable shelves that you can set to your desired levels for easy reachability
Maximize your light exposure
Daylight is another influencer of workplace productivity – and overall health. Scientists have found that daylight can increase mental alertness, productivity, and psychological wellbeing. When planning your office space, try to position workspaces in areas with plenty of light. While south-facing windows may pack the biggest punch, any amount of natural or artificial light can be beneficial. And if that isn’t possible, encourage a company culture that supports frequent outside breaks to bask in the sunlight.
Let your workspace inspire you
Productivity levels have a lot to do with how you feel when you’re at work. If you’re uninspired and unmotivated, productivity plummets. But if you’re inspired by your environment, there’s a good chance that you’ll perform your best. Experts recommend creating spaces that generate productivity by finding objects for your workspace that spark joy and remind you of your motivations.
A few of the office accessories we love for creating inspiring workspaces include:
- Frames with pictures of friends and family
- Plaques and awards featuring your accomplishments
- Eco-friendly artwork that are beautiful to look at and easy on the environment
Have spaces to work other than your desk
Sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery to harness enough focus and concentration to become more productive. For those instances, be sure to design areas to work besides desks when you’re thinking about office space planning. Appoint them with office furniture like comfy sofas, accent chairs, and large conference tables to create inviting spaces where productivity can thrive.
Assess the benefits and drawbacks of open office plans
Open office plans have become increasingly popular in some industries. Many companies have adopted them because of their collaborative and other benefits that we explored in a previous blog post. However, open plans aren’t for every company, and they can even decrease productivity in some cases. If you’re considering an open layout in your space planning efforts, be sure to assess the benefits and drawbacks to ensure it’s right for you. Or, design both individual and collaborative work zones into your plan to promote both focused productivity and team collaboration.
We can help you select the right office furniture and office space planning design to maximize your productivity. To get started, contact us online or call us at 608.310.4300.