How office furniture can improve productivity in the workplace

We spend around a third of our time at work, which is why it is essential that you choose the right furniture for your employees so that they are comfortable throughout the working day. Dull, uncomfortable, and uninspiring workspaces can really negatively impact an employee’s productivity.  

It has also been said that employees who have control over the design and layout of their workspace are not only happier and healthier, but they are also up to 32% more productive. This shows that the more flexible an office is, the better for employee productivity.

In this article, we will be exploring how office furniture can be used to influence and improve productivity in the office.

Choosing ergonomic furniture for your office

A lack of productivity will increase costs, waste time, and reduce potential profits – something that no business wants! One way that is sure to improve productivity is by choosing ergonomic furniture for an office space.

Being seated comfortably, prevents people from getting distracted throughout their working day. An employee that is uncomfortable will constantly stop work to re-adjust their position and this could interrupt and delay their working progress. Ergonomic chairs are one of the best options to ensure staff are comfortable and happier at work.

So, what classifies as an ergonomic chair? An ergonomic office chair is different to a traditional office chair in terms of the flexibility and bodily support it offers. The ergonomic task chair design takes into consideration the different heights and body shapes of users and so can allow for adjustments to suit different heights and angles for them to work comfortably.

They also prevent back, neck and shoulder problems that can occur from having bad posture on an uncomfortable chair resulting in slowing down employees work effort and sometimes they even have to take time off to treat it. This of course, affects productivity in the office and that is why ergonomic chairs are great to solve the problem.

Some ergonomic chairs we recommend at Haiken are:

• Stirling: Made from sensitive foam so that the seat moulds to every individual, providing incomparable user comfort. The Stirling also has 4D adjustable armrests and a donate synchro tilt and lock system.
• Paxton: Has a unique backrest designed for optimum support. It is also hugely adjustable with 4D armrests and seat depth.

Height-adjustable desks for your office

An alternative to having adjustable chairs is also to have height adjustable desks. They are a great way for employees to find the best level of comfort whilst working, it also helps to improve their posture. We would recommend our height adjustable desk Wolfe, as it has four heights and can be moved up and down. This allows more flexibility for the user, and with the telescopic frame, employees can have the flexibility of scaling the desk up or down, so they can stand and work if they wish to.  

By having height-adjustable desks in the office, there are also health benefits including reduced risk of obesity, lower blood sugar levels, improved mood and energy levels, a reduced risk of heart disease, and of course – less back pain, to name a few!

Think about the choices of colour within the office

Did you know that different colours can have psychological or emotional effects on people? That’s why you need to think carefully about the colours you choose for the décor of an office and the furniture inside.

Colours can have a profound impact on productivity by simply just encouraging positive emotions in employees. For example:

• Natural-toned colours such as green and blue can improve efficiency and focus.
• Warmer colours like yellow can trigger optimism, creativity, and energy.
• Vivid colours such as red add intensity to the décor and can inspire passion and boost physical activity.

The colour blue in the office can have a very calming effect on employees and help concentration. Blue is said to be an excellent choice for an office where activities require focus. Whereas, according to some studies, white is the worst colour to feature in an office, as white walls tend to give off a sterile or clinical feeling. Research has shown white can hinder productivity and give off a cold and isolated feeling, so it is best used as an accent colour only.

The introduction of more colours can inject life into the workplace and impact greatly on the psychology of the office, so it is a good way to reduce stress and increase productivity.

Include natural light and greenery to increase productivity

Productivity in the workplace is not just affected by the office furniture chosen, but also by where it is placed. Much research has shown that a lack of natural light can have a negative impact on people, particularly workers trying to focus in an office environment. For example, it has been said workers in office environments with optimized natural light reported an 84% drop in symptoms of eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision that often occurs after prolonged computer use.

As humans we spend 80 to 90% of our time indoors, which makes it even more important than ever to make sure enough natural light is available for everyone within a busy office environment. A lack of natural light can affect one’s ability to function, this means throughout the day they will become less productive. If there is natural light coming into the office, try to position desks and chairs near natural light sources as this will help staff to maintain good levels of productivity.

Another solution for improving productivity is by having plants around the office – it is a surprisingly cheap and easy way to improve productivity too! One study compared the productivity of two groups of workers, where one group had both plants and computers in the office and the other group only had computers. The group working with the plants were 12% more productive than the other group. Plants can also improve air quality and can reduce stress levels from spending so much time indoors.

Apply acoustic solutions within the workplace

Sound is a huge contributor to poor productivity in the workplace. Too much noise can create distractions and can impact an employee’s ability to remain focussed on their tasks. A study by Udemy revealed that 80% of respondents claimed chatty co-workers were the biggest distraction, while office noise was cited by 70% of them.  This is why acoustic furniture is so beneficial when it comes to productivity as it is designed with specific fabrics and size specifications to reduce noise, and increase privacy, attention, and focus.

Employees who work in an acoustically comfortable environment can produce higher-quality work and take fewer sick days because office acoustics can lead to better health and productivity. Whereas, poor acoustics lead to more noise, which causes stress on employees. Stressed employees are vulnerable to high blood pressure, headaches, digestive disorders, ulcers, and hypertension. So, how can an employee’s health and productivity be improved with acoustic furniture?

• Focus Pod: An easily placed functional screen with included seat and table to create a calm and snug feeling. It is a perfect space for employees to go to for some much-needed privacy away from the noise.
• SoundRoom: An innovative technology based on acoustic screens with sound-diffusing geometry. The SoundRoom creates a concentration zone with its high acoustic qualities. It is also great for comfortable meetings and individual or teamwork.
• Optima Floor: Not only is Optima environmentally friendly, but this acoustic floor screen is also lightweight and therefore ergonomic to install and move around. By placing the floor screen around a desk can create some much-needed privacy and reduce noise that affects productivity.
• Dezibel Flexible: Developed with a focus on sound absorption, flexibility, and the ability to create more uses for large tables. Dezibel Flexible can be placed at strategic locations to divide and screen off sound.
• Dezibel Wall: These panels are available in several sizes and shapes and can be combined endlessly to create the visual and acoustic effect needed. They are an efficient way to reduce echoes and reverberation in public spaces.
• Mezzo: A sound absorbing and versatile wheeled floor screen, including a mobile project screen and message board all in one!

We have a wide variety of acoustic solutions that can help increase productivity in the workplace. Contact us today to find out more about the acoustic furniture we provide.

Improving productivity with Haiken office furniture

At Haiken, we have a range of office furniture solutions that can be used to improve productivity in any workspace. This includes ergonomic soft seating, acoustic solutions, height-adjustable desks and more.

Please contact us today and find out more about all the office furniture solutions we provide.