The Challenge: Boring furniture makes us feel lazy
The Science: Research links furniture choice with productivity levels
The Solution: Here are five reasons why the right furniture can increase your productivity levels!
Procrastination. Laziness. Idle dawdling. Guilty pleasures we desperately try to get rid of but for some reason, we just can’t. They plague our daily lives, making us put off the day’s work for tomorrow, getting us nothing done for the day. There are a lot of things to blame for low productivity levels, but did you know that the furniture you’re using could be one of them?
Sitting in an uncomfortable office chair with a desk that’s too high would make anyone not want to work. Who knows? The back cramp that keeps bothering you might be caused by an armchair that’s way too stiff. Surprisingly, studies show that your furniture can affect how you work.
According to two research studies done by the University of Exeter, productivity levels of employees who were allowed to design their workspaces demonstrated a surge in productivity by 32%. People feel less engaged in uncomfortable and impersonal environments. If given more freedom, the workers feel more enriched, thus leading to a happier and more efficient work environment.
1. Aesthetics are Important
We see colors and shapes everywhere we go. According to the “Color Affects System,” we associate color with the different aspects of our lives and our surroundings. Bright colors stimulate while lighter tones aim to be more calming.
Research shows that rooms with curvy and rounded furniture tend to be more inviting compared to furniture with straight edges and sharp angles. In this study, the respondents found the rounded shapes more comfortable and inviting. Take this into mind the next time you go furniture shopping.
Lighten up your workspace. Want to have a more soothing environment? Go for neutral tones. Or if you’re the type to prefer brighter and more vibrant colors, go for it! Psychology links the visual appeal of objects to a person’s psyche. Though subconsciously, colors and shapes can impact our productivity.
2. Ergonomics
Ergonomics refers to the study of a person’s efficiency in a work environment. This word is also something we associate with chairs every time we hear of it. Over the years, furniture makers have been trying to craft quality chairs and desks that provide back support and promote better posture.
In a recent study about ergonomics, scientists studied a group of workers and found out that improved postures bolstered the employees’ productivity by more than 50 percent. An improvement in work conditions can significantly affect your motivation to stop being so busy and start being productive.
3. Demarcation Line
While it is important to have a fully functional and comfy workspace, you can also rearrange your office space to allow a more open and homey atmosphere with your peers. You can use different arrangements to assign areas for holding meetings, decompression areas, and utility units. There are different simple yet effective tricks to achieve a well-designed room.
Some of these tips are:
- Play with your furniture placements.
- Assign specific seating arrangements.
- Use your lockers as divisions.
- Plants can be a replacement for cubicle dividers.
And much, much more!
4. Layout Matters
Furniture is meant to be moved around and manhandled. It’s not only essential to have durable and high-quality furniture, but it is also crucial to know how to position the pieces correctly. Strategically placed furniture provides you with an easier way of navigating the area. It reduces the risks of furniture-related injuries resulting from haphazardly placed furnishings.
Accessibility and ease of movement translate to safety, efficiency, and higher rates of productivity. The way you organize your workspace plays a role in how much you can accomplish throughout the day. From easily accessible printers and writing tools to segregated compartments for different files, the layout is a decisive factor in measuring productivity.
5. Personalization
One way to achieve maximum productivity in your workplace is to add a touch of your personality to your workspace. In this study, an office design is proven to have a correlation with optimal job performance. Good workplace designs can make a big difference regarding motivation and satisfaction.
Workplace aesthetics can also affect the response levels of employees. It can affect their ability to think on the spot, their levels of knowledge and creativity, and how they respond to change. Poor workplace design, on the other hand, is linked to lower stress tolerance and lower work performance.
Customize your workspace and make it your own. Add your share of curio and trinkets.
Takeaway
Don’t be busy, be productive. In the hectic buzz of our daily lives, having an organized workspace can help us weave through our to-do’s for the day efficiently. Getting yourself expensive and useful furniture is great. But keep in mind that it is only the first step. To be truly productive, you have to do your actual tasks at hand.
With the tips above, you can motivate yourself to embrace a more enjoyable and productive work atmosphere by investing in the right furniture for your needs. You will not only perform better, but you’ll also feel better about it. Now, get up and get things done!
