Design ideas for improving workplace wellbeing

Workplace wellbeing is not a new concept but has gained momentum since the pandemic. As people are returning to offices, it has become a prime consideration for both employees and businesses. Studies show that the physical working environment has an enormous impact on employees overall health and wellbeing, but office designs do not always support the health and wellbeing of employees.

Design ideas to create a healthy office

Poor design makes people miserable at work and increases absenteeism and illness, reducing employee engagement, job satisfaction, and productivity. These challenges are motivating companies to address wellbeing in the workplace. Thoughtfully designed workplaces can promote movement, reduce stress, and make it easier for employees to do their work. When employees are well, their quality of life improves and so does their quality of work.

Of course, there are various ways to positively promote mental health in working environments, such as improved benefit programmes, management support structures and flexible working hours. But in this article, we’ll be focusing on 5 physical aspects of workplace design that can contribute to improved wellbeing:

1. Activity-based working

Lack of privacy and choices in an office can lead to anxiety and stress among people. No one workspace can ideally support the variety of work that people do throughout the day. A sense of pride and autonomy can be established by offering employees a variety of workspaces in activity-based working models. This will provide the occupants with options for different areas specific to the user’s needs e.g. focus work, teamwork or meetings.

Worktables are a modern office trend based on a multi-purpose table system that can be customised for a variety of uses and environments. Worktables such as the Saxon or Crew range are ideal for activity-based learning, offering companies one way to reconfigure their workspaces with a focus on collaborative spaces while offering unassigned individual workstations.

2. Add some colour

The power of colour psychology and the effect it can have on a person’s mood is no secret and has been effectively utilised in sectors like advertising and marketing for years. With this in mind, these same principles can and should be considered when it comes to designing working environments that are looking to positively influence staff morale and overall wellbeing.

Colours such as fabrics on seating, sofas and screens inside office spaces can evoke a sense of calm and relaxation, but also foster creativity and positive energy. A study has shown that employees working in spaces enriched with colour, greenery, and artwork were 17% more productive. The optimal combination of fabric colours will help improve productivity without overstimulating the senses.

3. Acoustic control

Open offices are synonymous with noise and it is one of its biggest criticisms. Noise has a negative effect on moods, productivity, and overall mental health. As much as noisy offices are to be avoided, very quiet spaces can also be a problem. Sound absorbing design elements such as the Piano acoustics range, consisting of Piano Tiles wall panels, hanging acoustic Piano Chords, and Piano Scales suspended acoustic panels provide open plan offices and breakout spaces with multiple levels of acoustic absorption which are not only colourful and modern additions to the office aesthetics, but are also pertinent to the task at hand in each area.

4. Light and Air

In addition to colour, the presence or lack of natural light can have a serious impact on a person’s mood and general health. Natural sunlight alleviates levels of anxiety, symptoms of depression whereas indoor office lighting often causes eye strain and can lead to headaches and stress. Think about removing bulky furniture and heavy window dressings that could be blocking out the light. In instances where natural light isn’t in abundance, there are also options to upgrade artificial lighting to illuminate the area effectively.

Good ventilation and superior air quality can have lots of health benefits. It can boost people’s productivity at work and double their cognitive function. The introduction of indoor plants will also have a calming and de-stressing effect, as plants naturally purify the air by absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis, making them a valuable addition for promoting a working environment that prioritises health and wellbeing.

5. Design for comfort

Ergonomic chairs can help with poor posture which can lead to back pain, which can also contribute to increased rates of absenteeism. Installing height adjustable desks can give employees the option to take breaks from long periods of sitting which is bad for overall health. Other different soft seating options throughout the office can make people feel at home and provide somewhere for employees to relax throughout the working day.

Dams have the largest portfolio of office furniture products in the UK, all featured in the new 2022 Furniture guide consisting of the complete portfolio of furniture solutions for all your workplace needs. For inspiration on how to design a modern workplace and furniture ideas for improving wellbeing, have a read through today.

Modern workplace design

Creating office spaces with wellness in mind can benefit both companies and their employees. So it makes sense for businesses to invest in office design solutions that make office spaces healthier. It is not just ‘nice to have’ but a ‘must have’ in the current scenario of work. A healthy, supportive and comfortable workplace helps reach employees their true potential.

The importance of wellbeing and mental health concerns in the workplace is continuing to be a priority for businesses across all sectors. And when it comes to workplace design, we hope you’ll find these insights helpful in actioning a well-thought out space that’s primed for supporting every employee.