An essential ingredient of long-term company success is its happy employees. There are many factors that can contribute to their feelings of job satisfaction that is directly linked to increased productivity, but it all begins with effective office design and work desk optimization. 

Here are several office essentials to consider in order to increase productivity. 

Bring in nature

There's indisputable evidence proving the beneficial effects natural light has on employees. Artificial indoor light produced by incandescent or fluorescent lighting can cause headaches, eye strain, and fatigue which leads to lower productivity much more than any other office feature. Therefore, keep your office windows uncovered and ditch the curtains and blinds.

Biophilic office design has been on the rise and there's a good reason for that. Fresh air and greenery can go a long way in creating a healthy environment. HVAC systems are necessary, but recycled air contributes a great deal to spreading germs and lack of oxygen diminishes focus and concentration. Plants are a quick and easy way to beautify the space, create an atmosphere of peace and calm, and improve air quality. According to research, it also increases employees’ productivity by 15%.

Organize your desk

A worker’s desk space is important as that’s their own little universe where the work gets done and a happy desk boosts productivity. It should be personalized with items that offer inspiration, calm and comfort. But it also needs to be organized and tidy in order to sustain worker’s focus for a longer period of time.

A de-cluttered space offers no distractions, so all the messy cords, documents, and equipment must be tidied up. Try using cord clips and holder, Velcro straps, binders and organizers to keep things in order, which is easily done if you do Winc online shopping for all the supplies you need.

Control the noise

Noise is typical in all offices, especially those with an open layout, and can be quite detrimental to employees’ efficiency and productivity. The easiest solution is using noise-cancelling headphones. First of all, colleagues won’t approach you that much if they see you’re busy and constant chatter around you won’t be distracting anymore. 

However, there's a certain precaution to be exercised here. Research shows that listening to music while working can hinder your productivity unless it's simple repetitive tasks. It's better to listen to music for some time before you start working as it triggers feelings of satisfaction and joy.

Offer on-site amenities

Even the simplest office amenities can make work life much easier. It's not always about luxuries such as soundproof music rooms, game rooms, gyms, and swimming pools. It's more about meeting your employees' immediate and practical needs. For instance, it's common for people to get suddenly struck by hunger in the middle of the day when it's still not lunch time or time to go home, so a snack bar is a great option here. Poor eating habits can have a negative impact on productivity. 

In addition, on-site childcare will be a huge helping hand to young parents who rush to finish their projects so they don't miss the closing time to pick their children up. For older members of your staff, having an on-site clinic would decrease their absence due to a doctor's check-ups. 

Encourage movement

Movement is critical in keeping the employees alert and rejuvenated. Simple, cost-effective tricks like furniture arrangement, bathroom, and break room location, as well as parking distance from the main building, can encourage workers to walk a bit more than usual.

What is also very helpful is the chance to work standing. Modern office desks that offer both sitting and standing positions are growing in popularity, as well as ergonomic chairs that promote healthy body posture. 

The key to a productive working environment is in striking the balance of elements but not fearing change in the process. If getting out of the box and changing your office design is what it takes to boost productivity and result in a much happier workforce, then that's what needs to be done. By incorporating biophilic elements, healthy snacks, greenery, lots of natural light and enough space for various business and relaxing activities, you'll be able to provide your employees with all the essentials for effective work.