How the Right Furniture Can Boost Office Productivity
Key Points
- Ergonomic office furniture boosts productivity by improving posture, circulation, and comfort, reducing distractions from pain and discomfort.
- Aesthetic, inviting furniture can enhance employee motivation and job satisfaction, influencing productivity more effectively than pay alone.
- Key office furniture includes ergonomic chairs, large desks for organization, and lounge areas to encourage breaks, all of which contribute to better performance.
The phrase “office furniture” usually conjures up images of a sterile, characterless environment made up of neutrally colored cubicles with tiny desks inside.
This kind of setup was popular with companies because it was cheap, but employees found it so soul-crushing that by the end of the twentieth century, there were even movies about it, such as ‘Office Space.’
It is easy to see where the companies were coming from. Office furniture is an expense.
Its value depreciates over time, and it does not directly increase a company’s income in any way.
It seems logical to simply go for the cheapest option, but choosing office furniture can be very important for companies.
At the turn of the 21st century, the flourishing tech companies out of Silicon Valley began to recognize this.
They could see the value of creating a workplace environment that was still practical but which employees found inviting.
This article will explore the benefits they found that make employee-friendly offices valuable.
It will also let you know the essentials your office needs to create a more productive working environment.
Why the right office furniture is important
Saying that office furniture consists only of seats and work surfaces is like saying that furniture at home consists only of tables and chairs.
We all recognize that the latter only provides a small part of the whole picture.
It ignores how those tables and chairs look and feel, and this can make a big difference to the character of our homes. The same is true of office spaces.
The right office furniture can benefit companies in several ways. These include the following.
More productive employees
Although ergonomic furniture may not directly contribute to a company’s income, in the long run, it can indirectly increase the bottom line.
This is because it can make employees more productive.
It is able to do this in several ways, one of which is by enabling good posture.
This, in turn, leads to proper blood circulation, which helps employees stay focused and energized for longer.
It also means that they will be less tempted to move around as much and will not experience as much pain when seated for long periods, which should make it easier to focus on their work.
Sound-absorbing furniture is also available from brands such as Framery.
This helps productivity by making employees less distracted.
More motivated and satisfied employees
Wait, aren’t they meant to be motivated by the money they get? Or love of the job?
Well, there is evidence to suggest these are not the only factors.
An aesthetically pleasing environment helps too.
This is news that managers should actually be excited to hear because it is easier to control than your employees’ feelings about their job, and switching up the office layout or buying some furniture is often cheaper than increasing financial rewards.
Furniture essentials every modern office needs
Now that you have a better idea of the role office furniture can play in creating a more productive and welcoming workplace, you might decide that you want to find a good office furniture store and purchase some upgrades.
The following are some of the key pieces of furniture that you should consider buying.
Ergonomic chairs
Long gone are the days when selecting office chairs meant looking for the cheapest model with wheels and arms.
Sitting for long periods is already bad for us, but the wrong chair can worsen it by causing neck strain, back pain, and general discomfort.
Pain is one of the worst things for productivity as it can distract us from what we are doing, and it’s something we naturally try to avoid at every opportunity.
This means that your employees will constantly be looking for ways to get out of their seats.
Ergonomic chairs reduce many of the pains and strains that come from sitting for long periods.
They typically offer lumbar support and let users adjust the chair’s height to suit that of their desk.
This helps ensure good posture and encourages circulation.
Large desks
Desks do not have to be huge, but they should be able to hold a computer, some personal items, and any necessary documents without looking cluttered.
Cluttered desks have been shown to decrease productivity, increase stress, and reduce job satisfaction.
Worse, these effects are shared by both the employee whose desk it is and their colleagues around them.
Lounge furniture
It sounds counterintuitive, but encouraging a bit more rest among your employees might help productivity rather than hinder it.
While long, unbroken periods of work can be good for creative tasks, other types of work are best performed in short bursts followed by little breaks, with a larger break every few cycles.
Consider creating a lounge area with comfy sofas or armchairs to encourage your employees to take short breaks occasionally.
Conclusion
Office furniture is not merely functional. It is also important to your employees’ health, satisfaction, and productivity.
In addition to what has been discussed here, you should also think about how furniture helps set the tone of your office and reflects your brand identity.
