Increasing Productivity with Dcor

One of the most interesting developments in the last few decades is how the decor surrounding a person can affect their productivity. In the past, it was only seen as necessary to furnish an office or workspace with the bare minimum. A chair, a desk and some small accessories were some of the only objects to be found. Since then, it’s become increasingly apparent that the environment a person works in drastically increases or hinders productivity. Certain decor accents and pieces can be used to boost your productivity.

What’s important to keep in mind is that the biggest driving factor behind productivity is happiness. This has been confirmed in a number of sources, and it’s also common sense: A happy worker is going to produce more than an unhappy worker. With that in mind, choosing the right decor can be pivotal in ensuring that workers are happy, and therefore productive. Colors, ergonomics and decorative items all play a role in ensuring that the decor of a room will maximize worker productivity.

Color is the most visible aspect of decor. The first thing that workers or visitors notice upon entering a room is the color palette of the objects that fill the space. Because color is so prominent in the way that people perceive their environment, it should come as no surprise that the color of the decor in a room could have a serious effect on productivity.

There are two main ways to approach the color scheme for a room’s decor. Colors are typically divided into cool colors and warm colors. Cool colors include blues and greens and have a soothing effect, while warm colors include yellows and reds function as more of a stress inducer. There are several theories about why this occurs, but research has shown that the brain spends less time processing cool colors and more time processing warm colors.

With that in mind, office decor can be approached in a couple of different ways. If workers are in a naturally complicated position, such as engineering or architecture, introducing decor that’s themed with cool colors can help boost productivity by reducing stress levels. While the nature of a person’s position might cause them to naturally become stressed, the colors of the objects around them can offset this stress.

Another common approach is to use red heavily in decor, as it has been linked to productivity increases. Red, as well as its related colors, has a great impact on how the brain operates. Research has shown that the biggest impact on the mind is that, because of how difficult it is to process in relation to other colors, red improves overall focus. Employers and workers have accordingly begun to decorate their offices in red furniture or decor, especially if productivity revolves around sales or otherwise meeting some sort of difficult quota.

Ultimately, the approach to color in the workspace should focus on what kind of mood will be conducive to productivity. Sometimes a color scheme consisting of all-warm or all-cool colors will be necessary. In other cases, blending colors from both palettes can bring about optimal results. Incorporating black and white can also keep the workspace from appearing overwhelmingly busy.

Another important aspect to boosting productivity with office decor is ergonomic furniture. Ergonomic furniture is furniture designed to contour to the human body’s natural form. The science behind developing ergonomic furniture and equipment has been around for centuries, although modern ergonomic advancements began sometime in the 1940s. Incorporating furniture with proper ergonomic design in a workspace can lead to a more comfortable and more productive workspace.

Generally speaking, furniture in the workplace is considered to be ergonomic when it lets workers do their job in a manner that’s comfortable to them. In the case of work that’s done on a computer, this means desks and chairs that are positioned at a height so that the eyes look directly at the monitor - not up or down. Similarly, the major limbs are positioned at a 90-degree angle. Workers shouldn’t need to angle in their legs or stretch them out in order to be comfortable, although it is almost always recommended that they have room to stretch their legs out if they desire. The same applies to elbows, which should rest at the same 90-degree angle in order to maintain good posture and comfort.

The productivity benefits of ergonomic furniture are readily apparent. People who work in furniture that’s ergonomically designed spend less time readjusting and worrying about the aches and pains associated with poorly-designed furniture. This means that more time is spent being productive now, and the long-term health benefits of ergonomic furniture also helps to ensure that they’ll be productive for years to come.

Aside from furniture and color, another part of decor that can have a clear effect on productivity is the decorations in it. Workers who have a desk and a chair will have enough in the room to function at a minimal capacity. However, chances are that this will not provide an appropriate amount of stimulation. Because of this, the most effective workspaces are the ones that properly incorporate different elements to bring the room together.

Artwork falls into this category, and it is also one of the easiest items to decorate a room with and improve productivity. Whereas it might not always be possible to make the furniture in a room colorful, artwork doesn’t have this restriction. Large pieces of artwork can be hung in a workspace, and having them conform to the desired color scheme of the room can have help productivity. Abstract artwork is typically recommended when the desire is simply to set the tone of a workspace. Abstract art is easier for the brain to process and less likely to distract, while something such as a nature scene might require additional processing and actually dampen productivity.

Sculptures as a more specific art form are another effective way to boost productivity. Again, it’s important to keep the themes abstract. A piece needs to be interesting enough that it can stimulate the mind, but not so stimulating that it becomes a constant distraction.

Last but not least, plants are also an effective part of decor. Although the impact of plants on productivity was mostly speculative, recent studies have confirmed a positive effect on productivity. Interestingly, the boost was on both the amount of productivity and the quality of work. Plants work to reduce stress levels and provide a calming environment, so their best use is as a means of accentuating a cool color palette.

Colors, ergonomic furniture, artwork and plants are just the beginning. There are dozens of ways to use decor to improve productivity. Whether the designer is a major employer or a self-employed person building a home office, the most important factor to identify is what’s important to their productivity. Some occupations call for warmer colors and little artwork, while others will call for cooler palettes. Virtually the only aspect of decor that is universal is the need for ergonomic furniture, which will benefit everyone regardless of occupation. Viesso’s wide color choices, wallpapers, and connection to a natural theme are only the beginning to making your workspace a place for employees to truly shine and innovate. View our selection online or call to set up a visit to our showroom today!