A comfortable office needs natural elements within it. As humans, we’re drawn to nature even when we don’t realise it, so having office plants and natural colours in your contemporary office will certainly create the right feel for your employees and visitors.
However, it’s important to do your best to encourage as much natural light into your office as possible and to make sure that enough fresh air makes its way inside too. Fresh air helps to refresh the space and helps employees to concentrate far better. It’s not only about productivity, as fresh air is important for health too. The same goes for natural light too – we need less artificial light and more of the natural stuff in order to be healthy and have an upbeat mood throughout the day.
If you have a small office, it can be difficult to try and make the space look brighter, because these offices usually have a slightly dark feel. However, there are three techniques you can use to try and encourage more natural light to enter your space whilst bringing in the fresh air at the same time.
Open The Windows
A very easy technique but one that most offices don’t use! Rather than relying upon fans and air conditioning all the time, go down the natural route and open the windows! Of course, it can be difficult in a large office to get the temperature right, as some employees will always be hot, whilst others will always be cold, but this is about ventilation.
You don’t have to throw all the windows open wide throughout the entire day, but having most windows open at least some way will allow enough fresh air to make its way in.
Use a Lighter Décor
Light colours open up small, dark offices and help to create the illusion of more space. This can also be used to encourage natural sunlight to enter the space, rather than dampening it all down with dark colours.
Declutter The Space
It’s possible that your windowsills all have storage items on them or other things that aren’t necessary. Unblock your windowsills and the areas around the window to allow more light to flood in. Also, declutter the space in general and only have enough office furniture for what you really need.
These are three very useful techniques for encouraging natural light to make its way into your office but also to try and get more fresh air inside too. Of course, you should certainly encourage employees to head outside on their breaks and lunch times to get more fresh air and a dose of sunlight too (whether it’s actually sunny or not!).