Your workplace may have a tremendous effect on the way you work and your overall ability to be productive and stay focused. So whether you work at home, in a shared workspace, or a larger company environment, the office space design is of utmost importance to get things done and produce excellent results. 

Several studies done on productivity and workplace show that the physical environment is the most significant factor in determining an employee’s ability to focus. Moreover, some studies even prove that a well-designed office space can increase productivity by 20%. 

Let us find out how the layout of an office can impact your ability to create and focus. 

Effective Layout 

Usually, most office spaces are simply designed, keeping in mind the number of employees in a company and whether they will fit into the office space or not. However, what matters the most is the layout of the area where these people will sit. 

Remember, employees spend most of their time at their workplaces. So providing enough space for them to work together or work in silence can significantly affect their levels of productivity and wellbeing. Here are a few ways to alter your office layout for optimal productivity: 

• Teams that work together, put them closer.
• Provide an area for solo work.
• Try to experiment with your office plan and collect feedback from employees on what works for them and what does not.
• Create book out meeting rooms or collaboration areas where employees can meet for creative sessions. 

Room Scents

Similar to what you see around yourself while working, your sense of smell can have a high impact on your mindset and mood, thus affecting your productivity. Therefore, consider adding pleasant scents to your office that will help you to stay focused. You can try the scents mentioned below to avoid any kind of distraction.

• Lavender: helps to relax you, especially during a stressful workday.
• Pine: helps to increase alertness.
• Citrus: helps to lift your spirit and wake you up. 
• Peppermint: helps to improve your mood.
• Cinnamon: helps you stay focused and calm.

If you work for a large company that has an open plan, most employees might not appreciate the strong smell of scents in their environment. So try to keep it subtle. You can also put essential oils in your handbag or desk drawer, and whenever you require a quick boost, pour some drops on a cotton ball or handkerchief and smell it. 

On the other hand, if you work from home, use incense, candles, or essential oils to fill your surroundings with a pleasant aroma.

Bring Nature Inside 

It is a natural instinct of human beings to connect with the world outside. Nature is essential for not only our physiological but also our psychological functioning, which further impacts our ability to work and be productive. 

 People who work in a large company space with no windows can display pictures of nature in their office. You can also keep a picture of the natural world as your desktop wallpaper or screensaver. Additionally, make sure to take walks during your lunch break and spend a few minutes outside in the sunshine and breathe in the fresh air. This will help you to boost your energy levels and stay focused on your task. Do not forget to add plants to your desk!

And if you are working from home, keep the curtains and the blinds open to let in some fresh air and sunshine. Take walks in between or go outside for a while and keep your feet on the ground. This will make you feel refreshed. Also, placing plants around the area where you work will make you feel happy, less stressed, and more productive.

The outfitting and design of office space is extremely crucial for any company as it can affect various business outcomes, including engagement, employee satisfaction, talent recruitment, and most of all productivity. So you must design the office space wisely and strategically, keeping in mind the needs of your employees that will help them to boost their productivity.