When working in a shared office space, we have the luxury of moving right on in. No muss, no fuss. Bring your files, your computer, and you’re good to go! But overlooking the opportunity to personalize your office may be hindering you more than you realize. Aesthetics can actually play a large role in your business’s success. Spending a little time and attention on this can boost productivity and work flow and create an inviting atmosphere that makes your clients feel more connected.

Think it sounds like a silly waste of time and money? Businesses actually hire professionals to custom-tailor office spaces for their employees. Not ready to commit to a pro? Don’t worry; try out the following tips for a starter’s crash course in productive design.

Lighting
A recent study  showed that subjects exposed to artificial light were found to be substantially sleepier, less accurate, and performed more mistakes than the subjects when exposed to natural light. This shows that even limited exposure to artificial light can decrease performance. Offices have been notorious for having bad florescent lighting, but studies like these have increased awareness of the importance of lighting in the workplace.

So now that you know you may have a lighting problem, how do you solve it? These tips are a great starting point to steer you into a brighter direction:

• When choosing your office space, try to opt for a room with a window. Even if it’s missing a nice view, the natural light is what we are striving for here.
• If a window is impossible, look into replacing the existing lighting with lights that emit white-tinted light and measure near 5,000 Kelvin-the temperature produced by natural sunlight, such as broad-spectrum lights.
• Do your research and always check warnings. Some lights, such as full-spectrum light bulbs, can also produce UV rays, which are harmful.
• Lamps can add a personal, cozy feeling to the space while supplying additional light
• Keep up with technology. Many companies have prototypes out for new artificial lighting systems that use smart technology to adjust the lighting and temperature, even replicating the weather outdoors.
• If all else fails, at the very least, try incorporating a fountain, plant, or some other form of nature into your office space. Studies done in Texas, England, and Washington State show plants significantly lower workplace stress and enhance productivity by 12%.

Color
The psychology of color has been tested for years. Finding concrete, hard evidence on this can be quite challenging and for a good reason. The way a person feels when seeing a color is influenced by that individual’s experiences, so not all color can be categorized into creating a particular mood or feeling. But keeping a few rules in mind will help offset this uncertainty.

When choosing the right color for your office, it is important to think of your business and the type of clients you normally attract. Are you a financial advisor whose clients depend on your reliability and security? A bright, bold color in your office like orange might be a little too exciting for clients looking for stability, and even give them the impression that you are flighty or a financial risk. If you are a creative director, however, a bright energetic color like orange shows your clients that you are imaginative and bold. Think of your brand. How do you want to present it to your clients? Let this be the driving force behind your decisions.

Don’t feel restricted to using paint as the only way to add color. Offices need accessories, and they come in every color imaginable now! Think of style and function, staplers, storage baskets, etc. Or consider bringing in pops of color with furniture like accent chairs, coat stands, and filing cabinets.

Furniture
Speaking of office furniture, when purchasing, follow this one very important rule above all else-Don’t sacrifice comfort for looks! You, your employees, and your clients have to be comfortable in order to function optimally. There really is no way around this one. If people are uncomfortable, they will have a hard time focusing on anything else.

So when you are looking for pieces that combine comfort and style, again, think of your brand. Don’t over-fluff your brand because you really like that 1920’s vintage writing desk even if it doesn’t match your minimalistic and modern brand presence. Personality and individuality are great, but don’t stray too far from what your client expects to see out of you.

Try the pieces out for yourself. Sit in the chairs, interact with the desks. No better way to ensure your employees and clients will be able to settle in easily than to test them out on your own. If it just isn’t feeling right after only a few minutes, imagine how they will feel after several hours. Also, consider trying different furniture arrangements. Sometimes a small change like facing your desk in the other direction is all you need to feel refreshed.

The Bottom Line
The bottom line here is to create a unique and inviting space that represents your company while encouraging productivity. Everyone responds to their environment differently, so make this a trial and error process, learning what works for your business and what doesn’t. If you want to start out small try to manage the chaos. Keeping a clean and organized office is the easiest way to help boost productivity. Studies show the average person wastes 4.3 hours a week searching for papers. This wastes time, increases stress, and disrupts the creative process. Does that sound productive? Not at all. Invest in pieces and accessories that can double as smart storage and you will be on your way to a more productive workplace in no time.

Stay tuned for more info to come soon on how to strut your office style in our upcoming contest!