Striving for greater efficiency is an ongoing challenge for most businesses. Technology has helped us make huge strides by speeding up processes, automating repetitive tasks, and fostering connectivity. But when it comes to increasing productivity on an individual level, it’s less about tech and more about space.

Your office design can have a significant impact on employees’ mood and motivation. Here are three ways to invest in office renovation in Virginia to encourage productivity.

1. Make Sure Areas Are Well-Lit

Lighting can have a huge effect on employees. Studies show a correlation between productivity and well-lit work areas. While both natural and artificial lighting is important to human beings’ mental health, natural light is usually deemed the more effective of the two.

How Can You Improve Lighting?

If you can, you should install ceiling lights to illuminate every corner of your office. You can go out of the box with this one; Amazon has a series of glowing spheres that hang from the ceiling, creating light sources that are a half-fixture, half-art piece. Of course, natural sources of light such as windows and skylights are your best option if feasible.

Where Should You Put a Desk for Maximum Natural Light?

Perhaps your office has lots of natural lighting, but it’s not being put to good use. In this case, you can move desks to receive the maximum amount of sunshine throughout the day. Desks should be placed near the south side of the building. This action should provide sunlight from late morning through mid-afternoon without the heat and glare that can accompany full-on sun from east- and west-facing windows.

2. Introduce Greenery

It turns out that adding a little greenery can increase productivity. Plants can also improve indoor air quality by contributing oxygen. Of course, you’ll have to figure out the logistics of who’s responsible for taking care of your new leafy peers.

How Do You Care for Indoor Plants?

The primary concern when it comes to growing plants indoors is making sure they get enough sunlight. You should place them near windows or under skylights, and be sure to research the proper amount of sunlight for the species. You should also note how much water they require, as it can be easy to accidentally drown plants if you’re unfamiliar with their care.

What Plants Should You Choose?

You want plants that contribute to productivity, not distract employees with complicated care instructions. This means you should choose hardy plant species that thrive with minimal interference. Fortunately, you can easily find inexpensive options:

• Pothos

• Peace lily

• Snake plant

3. Encourage Movement

It may seem counterintuitive to encourage employees to leave their desks, but it’s a research-backed strategy to increase efficiency. Part of getting people up and moving is creating an environment where it’s easy to do so. This means open pathways between desks and incentives to step away once in a while.

Which Office Designs Facilitate Movement?

Sit-stand desks are popular with many businesses. While these can be helpful, you shouldn’t stop there. Make outside spaces easily accessible to encourage employees to take walks or install vending machines to tempt workers into taking a quick trip for a healthy snack.

How Can You Invigorate a Space?

A change of scenery can spark creativity. You can make use of this phenomenon by creating lounges where workers can occasionally work to break the monotony. Be thoughtful about which colors you choose when decorating these areas — employees should feel invigorated by their surroundings, not depressed by dull color choices.

Tech 24 Construction offers office construction in Virginia to help you get the most out of your workspace. Find out more by contacting us at 1-800-820-7194 or messaging us online.