As an entrepreneur or business owner, you spend a significant amount of time in your office. Whether that’s a large corporate office or a home office, setting the right vibe is important for ensuring you can be comfortable, productive and successful.
Wellness-focused office design combines natural elements, flexible spaces, and thoughtful layouts to help employees feel comfortable, motivated, and supported in their health.
From simple solutions like installing commercial ceiling fans to a full makeover, there are a myriad of ways you can improve your office’s wellbeing.
If you’re looking to create a more balanced, wellness-oriented workspace, this post is for you. Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire an office fitout company, these here are seven essential tips to get you started.
1. Embrace Greenery
Adding plants and greenery to your office space can transform a drab environment into a lively, vibrant space. Numerous studies show that plants have positive effects on mood, productivity, and even air quality. Here’s how to bring more greenery into your workspace:
- Desk plants: Small plants like succulents or mini pothos are easy to care for and fit perfectly on desks, bringing a touch of nature right to each employee’s personal space.
- Plant walls: Also known as green walls, these can be strategically placed in high-traffic areas to make a bold design statement and naturally purify the air.
- Office garden: If you have the space, an indoor garden or larger potted plants can create a calm, refreshing corner for breaks or casual meetings.
Greenery not only purifies the air but also boosts the aesthetic appeal and overall mood of the office, creating a natural escape for yourself or your team throughout the workday.
2. Prioritise Natural Light
Natural light is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to improve wellness in the office. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep, improve mood, and increase alertness and focus during the day. Here’s how to maximise natural light in your workspace:
- Window placement: Choose spaces with abundant windows for workstations, especially those with large, clear panes that maximise daylight.
- Use glass partitions: Replace traditional walls with glass to allow light to flow throughout the office.
- Position workstations thoughtfully: Arrange desks and workspaces to avoid glare but still let in as much daylight as possible.
Consider adding reflective surfaces or light-coloured walls to help distribute natural light. The more exposure employees have to natural light, the less need there will be for harsh artificial lighting.
3. Incorporate Natural Materials
Designing with natural materials can make the office feel warmer and more inviting. From wood and stone to cotton and wool, these elements bring a sense of calm and can reduce stress levels. Here are some ways to add natural materials into your office design:
- Wooden furniture: Desks, tables, and shelves made from wood (especially lighter tones) can create a rustic, cosy environment.
- Stone accents: Stone countertops, backsplashes, or even pebbled walls add an organic, grounding feel.
- Textiles: Add wool or cotton throw pillows, rugs, and curtains for a soft, homey touch that brings warmth and texture to communal areas.
Using natural materials in decor and furnishings enhances the space’s sensory experience, encouraging relaxation and helping your team feel more connected to nature.
4. Designate Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor spaces are invaluable for both mental and physical wellness, giving employees a chance to step outside, get fresh air, and reset. Whether it’s a small balcony, a rooftop garden, or a larger outdoor courtyard, adding outdoor spaces can elevate the wellness factor of your office significantly.
- Outdoor break areas: Set up comfortable seating areas for employees to take breaks or enjoy lunch outside.
- Green rooftops: If possible, create a rooftop garden where employees can enjoy panoramic views while surrounded by nature.
- Outdoor meeting spaces: Weather permitting, outdoor meeting areas provide a refreshing alternative to traditional conference rooms.
These outdoor spaces give employees a place to disconnect from their screens and reconnect with the environment, contributing to reduced stress and better overall well-being.
5. Integrate Flexible Workspaces
Wellness-focused offices recognise that each employee has unique needs, and creating flexible workspaces helps cater to these preferences. Flexible areas allow your team to choose where they feel most productive, whether that’s in a quiet corner, a collaborative area, or a cosy lounge. Some ideas include:
- Open and quiet zones: Open spaces for team collaboration paired with quiet areas for focused work give employees options depending on their tasks and mood.
- Modular furniture: Consider furniture that’s easy to move and reconfigure, like modular desks and chairs that can be adjusted to fit the purpose of the space.
- Standing desks and relaxation areas: Provide standing desks for those who want to switch it up and areas with soft seating for relaxation or creative brainstorming.
These flexible spaces promote wellness by giving you the freedom to work in ways that feel best for you, supporting both productivity and comfort.
6. Support Physical Movement
Designing an office that encourages movement goes hand-in-hand with a wellness-focused mindset. Physical activity has been shown to improve both mental and physical health, making it a key component in office design. Ways to incorporate movement include:
- Dedicated walking paths: Create walkways or paths that make it easy for you to get up and move throughout the day.
- Standing desks: Provide sit-stand desks so you can easily alternate between sitting and standing.
- Exercise rooms: If space permits, dedicate a small room for stretching, yoga, or even a quick workout, giving employees the opportunity to recharge during the day.
Encouraging movement improves circulation and can combat the physical fatigue that often accompanies prolonged sitting.
7. Optimise Air Quality
Poor air quality can lead to discomfort, reduced productivity, and even health issues. For a wellness-focused office, improving air quality is essential. Here’s how:
- Ventilation: Invest in high-quality ventilation systems that filter and circulate fresh air throughout the space. For example, commercial ceiling fans are designed to circulate the air, which helps improve air quality and cools your space.
- Air-purifying plants: Plants like snake plants, peace lilies, and ferns can help to filter the air naturally.
- Air quality monitors: These devices allow you to track indoor air quality, helping to identify and address any issues before they affect your well-being.
Maintaining good air quality not only contributes to your health but also helps you feel more comfortable and focused during work hours.
Final Thoughts
A wellness-focused office design doesn’t just make a workspace look better; it has tangible effects on your well-being, engagement, and productivity. Through integrating greenery, maximising natural light, using natural materials, and offering flexible and outdoor spaces, you can foster an environment for yourself and your business to thrive.
