Working in an office means that you spend a lot of time there. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial, but in today’s workforce, it isn’t always a reality. Making sure your office is a productive yet inviting place to work is not an easy task. From the layout to the interior design to getting the correct ambience, everyone has different ideas on what an office should look like in order to work well.

There are several elements that are commonplace in the majority of successful office designs, and can be simply applied to your own building to ensure your office morphs into a comfortable and dynamic environment.

1. Location
The location of your office plays a huge role in attracting and retaining the best employees, many of whom keep a close eye on where they’re based in order to optimize work-life balance. Good location decisions can significantly boost a company’s long-term performance. Ensure that while choosing your office, you keep in mind the ease of commute, public transport facilities, and proximity to necessary conveniences.

2. Space
While offices don’t have to be overly spacious, offices must be designed in a way that members don’t feel cramped. Allowing everybody their comfort, and ease of moving around the office without the fear of bumping into filing cabinets increases productivity and makes for an efficient working environment. Also, an open office space makes for more open and easy communication. 

3. Layouts
One of the most important elements to keep in mind while designing an office space is to ensure that you choose the optimum layout in order to keep the members of staff comfortable and happy. Placing desks right next to the bathroom or kitchen does not create an environment conducive to work.

4. Lighting
Lighting is one of the most critical aspects of any office environment. Lack of lighting can affect your productivity and energy levels, so it makes sense that there should be plenty of light surrounding the work area. Natural lighting is best, but if you don’t have that, then make sure there is ample overhead lighting in the office to avoid any dull or poorly lit corner spaces.

5. Heating / Cooling
Ensuring you have a comfortable climate in the workspace is essential for happiness and productiveness. A lot of offices are either too hot or too cold, and it can upset the comfort balance and disrupt healthy workflow. Wherever you can, opening up windows is always a good idea since it regulates oxygen and moisture levels in the air.

6. Decor
While décor may be low on your priority list, and dependent on your budget, even the simplest of objects can have a considerable effect. Colour can have a profound effect on the brain, and a drab and dull office interior design scheme can stifle creativity and interest in the job at hand. Pair a neutral design with splashes of colour and bright artwork to keep minds alive.

7. Proper Amenities
Ensure that the office that you choose comes power-packed with amenities. Whether it be adequate parking facilities, a sufficient number of elevators for commute, power back-up in the necessary areas or intercom facilities, a proper office will keep the comfort of the members of staff high on their priority list.

Source: Business2Community | Benchmark One