We all know that fresh air and natural light is beneficial to health. It can also help to make us more productive because of the rush of oxygen to our brains. But, how can you take advantage of the outdoors if you have a space that’s entirely indoors?
Not all offices are blessed with courtyards and garden spaces. In that case, you need to tailor your workplace design to allow elements of the outdoors to decor your space. It’s not so difficult to do.
This is called biophilic design.
Here are a few things you can do:
- Open the windows as much as possible and make sure that the window sills are clear
- Use a natural flooring method, such as wood
- Opt for natural decor shades, such as beige, green, brown, grey, etc
- Use office plants in your space
- Have a break space where people can go for a time out
- Use wall art with trees, flowers, plants displayed on it
You can’t create an outdoor space if you don’t have the room, you’re not a magician. However, you can opt for natural elements that could help to bring that calmer feel to your space. This will be beneficial to your employees and will certainly help to make the space calm and serene. It will also help with stress levels, which is something we all need to be aware of.
For those who do have an outdoor space, do your best to make it a clean and comfortable place for breaks and time outs. Opt for a covered area to help people shelter from the rain and wind and also think about separate spaces for smokers and non-smokers. Of course, comfortable outdoor seating is also a good idea.
Biophilic design is a good way for everyone to grab the benefits that mother nature brings. It doesn’t take too much time and won’t be an expensive endeavour either.