4 steps to an efficient and comfortable environment

Without a comfortable working environment, you can’t expect your employees to perform effectively. A comfortable office with ergonomic furniture, clear storage spaces and natural light is not just an investment in your company’s image. It also shows that the company cares about its employees, which promotes their satisfaction and loyalty.

Ergonomics first

For sedentary jobs, ergonomic furniture is essential to prevent health problems. Height-adjustable desks, which allow you to alternate between sitting and standing, are becoming increasingly popular in modern offices. Whether the desks are manually or electrically operated, the ability to change position reduces the risk of back pain. The “smarter” desks also remember different height settings, which is especially useful for hot desks where several people are at one desk.

Ergonomic chairs are needed for comfortable seating. A good quality office chair should be as variable as possible to support correct posture. And adjusting the seat height, backrest angle and lumbar support position is just as important. A movable seat helps to distribute weight evenly and prevent fatigue.

In addition to the choice of furniture, the organisation of the entire workspace is also important. The monitor should be placed at eye level and about 50 to 70 cm away so that office workers do not put unnecessary strain on their cervical spine. 

Natural and pleasant light

The advantage in this respect is that it is nowadays impossible to buy other than LED lighting, which has a long life, low energy consumption and usually offers the possibility to adjust the intensity and temperature of the light. These are all prerequisites for efficient and comfortable work. At the same time, it is affordable and guarantees low operating costs

In terms of specific uses, warm light (around 2700K) is pleasant for relaxation, while cooler light as close as possible to natural daylight (4700-5200K) promotes concentration and is ideal for the work environment. The ability to control the intensity of the light is important, as too strong or weak lighting tires the eyes.

Also think about the placement of lights when designing offices. Central lighting should provide evenly diffused light without harsh shadows. Then there can be so-called task lights above individual desks that provide a bright, focused beam for reading or writing. In relaxation areas and meeting rooms, it is recommended to use softer and warmer light to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Efficient organisation of space

Logically arranged spaces are the foundation of an efficient office. While a chaotic and inefficient layout can disrupt the ability to concentrate and greatly reduce productivity.

The first step is the layout of the desks themselves, which should match the nature of the work being done. If teamwork is required, it is advisable to create a conducive environment with freely available desks that encourage communication. For individual tasks on which employees need to concentrate, it is better to divide desks into smaller zones. And if the size of the space allows it, it is also advisable to purchase acoustic boxes where employees who want absolute silence or who do not want to disturb their colleagues with their communication can move.

Sufficient storage space is also an important element of the office. Properly chosen cabinets, shelves, racks and drawers allow documents and office supplies to be stored so that everything has its place. A cluttered desk, on the other hand, negatively affects concentration and performance.

Working with sound and acoustics

Especially in open-plan offices, people often complain about noise, which disturbs them and impairs their concentration. Quality soundproofing should therefore be considered when first designing interiors. Acoustic screens or panels can help, but the aforementioned acoustic boxes have also proved their worth. But modern soundproofing doesn’t just improve the working environment. They are also an interesting design element that gives the office a stylish look.