How To Design A Workplace For Emotional Needs
Health, well-being and happiness are uncompromisable requirements when it comes to living life, which is why your workplace should set the right tone for the benefit of all workers. Yes, emotions matter to all of us, and if employees aren’t happy at their job, productivity suffers just as badly as their health and happiness. Why not solve two problems at once by designing an office space that caters to emotional needs, boosts positivity and workplace culture, and creates a sense of camaraderie and motivation?
Thankfully, it’s easy, provided you understand a few facets of the design process, and how to focus on emotional well-being. Sensyst has been designing workspaces for companies seeking to create the best kind of atmosphere that retains employees, keeps them happy, and attracts new talent interested in joining in the fun and excitement. The workplace of today needs to be proactive and positive, so read along to find out how you can achieve both, for the benefit of your staff.
DO EMOTIONS REALLY MATTER?
Humans aren’t robots; neither can they shut off their feelings the moment they step foot in your workplace. For better, as well as worse, emotions are non-negotiable, which is why you as a company owner should strive to bring out the good ones at all times. Human beings are hardwired to demand an optimal set of circumstances through which they can achieve happiness and confidence. These include everything from safety, security and a level of personal autonomy, to status, privacy, intimacy and community.
On the surface, a few of these emotions may feel almost narcissistic in nature, but that’s the wrong way to look at them. Workers who feel validated, encouraged, secure and stable in their roles are far more likely to pay it forward, which has a viral effect on the rest of the office. In the end, we all seek meaning, purpose and accomplishment in our careers, and the more validated and valued a person feels, the more likely that individual will stick with a company for a long period of time. This translates directly to employee retention, less money wasted, and greater opportunities to promote workers from within, all of which are beneficial to the growth of your business.
So, how exactly do you design a space that takes all the above into account? Sensyst is about to break it down for you, so you can understand the benefits.
COLOURS AND MATERIALS
Yes, it’s true. The colours and material choices you make when designing your office space will have huge effects on your staff, and overall morale. While it might be tempting to paint the office in wild colours or patterns, you may end up causing emotional chaos amongst your workers. Be very careful when choosing colours and materials, and make sure they are achieving the purpose for which they were intended. Certain areas of the office benefit from different colour schemes, and choosing the wrong ones can have dire consequences. Always remember that colours project different emotional states, and what works for one area of the office may not work in another. For a full breakdown of the psychology behind colour, check out one of our past blogs for a deeper explanation.
Essentially, you’ll want to choose soothing, warm and reassuring colours for areas requiring concentration, stress reduction or relaxation, while brighter and more energetic colours might prove beneficial for creative spaces or brainstorming areas. You won’t please all your workers with your colour choices, but you can help set the right tone by applying colours and materials the right way. If you’re still unsure, we highly suggest contacting us for assistance.
THE POWER OF NATURE
It bears repeating over and over again – the power of nature should not be underestimated, especially in a workplace. If your office feels stuffy or sterile, you may wish to introduce a bit of green into your design equation. This doesn’t just mean adding in a plant here or there, but maximizing the amount of natural light that can make it into your workplace.
If this option isn’t available to you, then work with what you have. Get rid of fluorescent lighting ASAP, and replace your lighting fixtures with LED lights, which are cheaper and more energy-efficient, not to mention more soothing on the eyes. The use of green in the workplace is also great for helping workers feel attuned to the natural world, so be sure to research the benefits of biophilic design to create a space that keeps your employees invigorated and emotionally happy.
ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION
Socializing is a key factor when it comes to personal happiness, and you can help boost emotional well-being by adding spaces into your office that encourage collaboration. Employees who work towards a common goal are far more likely to feel part of something important, which is what all human beings desire deep down.
To make this work, try to create spaces that are informal and relaxing, yet may be used for work if needed. Break rooms and lounge areas can double as places employees can escape to as a team in order to brainstorm a new idea, or overcome a new challenge. This can create long-lasting bonds between workers that lead to friendships both on and off the clock, further boosting emotional well-being for all.
COMFORT THAT GOES BEYOND FURNITURE
Choosing the right kind of comfortable office furniture is just one part of creating a space that employees can feel excited and positive about working in. Ergonomic and modular office furniture has taken the business world by storm over the last few years, and for good reason. The ability to deploy desks, workstations, chairs and storage cabinets (to name a few) in a myriad of configurations that best suit the team dynamic, is invaluable. However, that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
At the end of the day, employees want to feel personally connected with their space. It’s been a long-standing tradition in the business world to allow workers to personalize their spaces with decorations, family pictures, etc., in order to give them a sense of value and understanding. Don’t go overboard with generosity, however, as you’ll want to maintain a sense of professionalism and cohesion in the workplace.Giving employees the leeway they need to feel personally connected with their space will also make them feel connected to the company, particularly if your branding and company culture is strong. Speaking of which…
KEEP YOUR CULTURE COOL
Workplace culture is vital for promoting a sense of team spirit and togetherness. Skimp on it, and you may notice decreased production and higher turnover due to unhappy employees. Emotional well-being is tied directly to the positivity of workplace culture, so be sure to keep things light, yet professional and focused. Take time out to celebrate major milestones, reward employees with a job well done, and promote HR principles that work for everyone. When problems and challenges arise, nip them in the bud fast, and when employees come into conflict, take immediate steps to remedy the situation, lest the issue fester.
All it takes to create a cool workplace culture is for you, the owner, to be a cool person. If you’re excited and enthusiastic about the direction of your business, then welcome your staff to join in on the fun through leading by example. You’re the Captain, which means you get to decide the tone and spirit of your company. If your emotional well-being is in tip-top shape, it will have a trickle down effect on the rest of your staff.
CONCLUSION
Sensyst designs every single workspace with emotional well-being in mind, and it’s always first on our list. Details matter, but it all boils down to how productive your staff will be when working within your newly-minted workspace. These are the tips we follow when designing our workspaces, and the happiness of our clients tells us we’re doing something right!
Are you looking to design an emotionally uplifting workspace, or redesign your existing one? It’s time to give Sensyst a call. We’ll take everything into account when creating a space that will boost the emotional happiness of your staff. There’s nothing to lose except negative feelings, and you don’t need those anyways!