Nobody wants to work in a dark office space. Not only does darkness reduce mood and make us feel low, but it does nothing for productivity either. Morale is on the decrease and everything just feels, well, miserable. Allowing more natural light into your office space is the single best way to create a more upbeat environment as a starting point, and it’s far easier than you might think.
If you have large windows in your office, it’s time to make the most of them! If you have a windowless office, or you have small windows, that doesn’t mean you can't create a light and airy look to your existing office space. All it takes is a little effective space planning and thinking outside the box.
Arrange Your Furniture Correctly
By allowing your space to open up, and having less unnecessary furniture in your office space, you’ll immediately notice more natural light creeping through. Make sure that you arrange your furniture so that everyone has enough space to walk around freely, and that nobody has to walk sideways to pass a specific space. Less furniture doesn’t mean less effectiveness, it’s about choosing the right pieces for the environment you have. Modular office furniture is a great, modern way to create more space within an office.
Use Reflective Surfaces
Surfaces which reflect the light are ideal for creating an illusion of more natural light overall. For instance, glass desks look super-modern, but they also reflect the light. This creates a brighter look in the entire office space. You could also think about opting for mirrors and white office furniture too, as this will also reflect the natural light that enters your room and create the illusion of more space and a brighter vibe.
Stick With Minimal Designs
Minimal office designs not only look sleek and modern, but they also allow more natural light to enter your office space. You could look towards sleek new office desks or perhaps consider hot desking, which allows a smoother running environment and a generally brighter feel. Sometimes it’s not about the actual visual effect of light, but the psychological effect.
Stick to Light Colours on the Walls
Avoid dark colours, as these will pull the office down and make it feel far more enclosed than it is. When you’re creating the illusion of natural light, you’re actually creating the illusion of space at the same time. Brighter colours, such as blues and greens not only crease morale, because these colours are known to affect mood in a positive way, but they also reflect the light and create a brighter feel to your space.
Avoid Cluttered Desks And Storage Units
More natural light will be allowed into your office if you do away with clutter. We mentioned minimal office furniture designs, but minimal is also the way you should be thinking in terms of your entire space. If it doesn’t serve a purpose, you don’t need it! Also encourage your staff members to keep their desks clean and tidy, as this will do a lot to brighten the space, and also increase productivity.
Make Sure Your Artificial Light Isn’t Too Harsh
Every office is likely to have some kind of artificial lighting throughout the day, but you need to make sure that it isn’t actually creating a detrimental effect. If your artificial lighting is harsh, it makes the room look false, e.g. it has a yellow tinge. This doesn’t look natural and actually dims out the natural light which is trying to break through. Opt for lighting which is soft.
Have Lighter Coloured Flooring
Okay, so light coloured flooring might require more cleaning, but if you want to reflect light, you need to start from the bottom and work upwards! By having a white, cream, or a lighter shade of beige perhaps on the flooring you are setting the precedent for a lighter feel to the space. Carpets can also dim down a room, so think about having laminate flooring instead. This is also far easier to clean.
These are just a few ways you can create the illusion of more natural light in your office space, and therefore also create the illusion of more space too. If your office is in need of a quick boost of productivity, a simple office upgrade is certainly the way forward.