The Key to Being Productive at Home

Ever tried to work at home or in a cafe when your family members are around or distractions abound? We all know that frustration when you need to get something done but somehow just aren’t able to focus!

Imagine sitting on your desk at home, when all of a sudden your neighbour decides to hold a party. Or your dog starts barking at a bird outside your window. Noises from the construction site one block away start drifting in, the incessant drilling drowning out your thoughts.

You head over to a nearby cafe to get away from all the clamour. Diving into the air-conditioned comfort of a local cafe, you settle down into a chair, order your favourite cup of coffee and begin to work.

No sooner did you pull out your notebook than a rowdy group of boys enter, laughing boisterously at a joke you did not catch. The whirring of the coffee machine begins, and all you hear is the clinking of teaspoons against glasses and the scraping of the chairs against the floors.

Sounds familiar? We understand the frustration of an unproductive workplace too — and this may very well be your home! Just as a well-designed space can nurture your creativity and productivity, a badly-designed space could hinder it as well.

The devil lies in the details, and the elements that affect your productivity are more common than you think. For instance, exposure to natural light is a huge influence on one’s productivity. Research has shown that natural light and air quality are two of the most important factors that contribute to an employee’s wellbeing. In fact, employee satisfaction is heavily dependent on the workplace environment. 67% of employees agree that they are more productive in spaces that promote a healthy environment, and a third of these employees revealed that they lose an hour of productivity each day in an unwelcoming office environment.

While environmental factors such as natural light and air quality are undoubtedly the most influential factors, many other elements play a part in aiding productivity as well. These include ergonomic furniture as well as spaces that encourage human interaction. It is important to find the perfect balance between function and comfort to hit that sweet spot of maximum productivity.

Having a space that encourages human interaction is extremely vital in a workplace environment as communication is often necessary for efficiency which, in turn, leads to productivity. Additionally, the noise level is another factor to keep in mind when designing a productive space (remember my intro?).

Beyond these elemental factors, there are plenty of other areas that can be experimented with to help different individuals reach a higher level of productivity. These include the use of different colour palettes as well as inspiring art and decor. Art has been observed to stimulate creativity and focus in the workplace, as it brings about a livelier and brighter atmosphere. Instead of facing the dreaded four plain walls every day, employees can now look forward to seeing a splash of colour each time they tear their eyes away from the screen. It would certainly be a welcome and friendly greeting!

In fact, studies have shown that colour is known not only to boost our moods but to enhance our productivity as well. Colour theory is a concept that plays a heavy part here when it comes to interior design. It is believed that low wave-length colours, like restful green and calming blue, improve efficiency and focus.

On the other hand, mellow yellow is often viewed as an energetic and fresh colour. It tends to trigger innovation and is best used in work environments where creative professionals work. All in all, hues work in different ways to bring out the best in us. Check out colour theory for more information on how it can spice up your space in a beneficial way!

The Difference an Interior Designer Makes

Beyond home workspaces, it is just as important for offices to hire a great interior designer. The workspace is an important business tool for any company, and a great interior designer knows how to best capitalise on that.

Besides making the workspace visually appealing, one must keep the office tidy and free of clutter — sometimes it can be hard to decide how best to organise and manage your files and documents. This is where an interior designer can step in, helping to plan out your space.

Additionally, productivity isn’t the only area an interior designer should focus on. It is just as important to create a balanced work environment. The workplace is an area where employees spend eight to nine hours of their day in. Without a productive and balanced work environment, each and every day will slowly feel like a bore to them. Make sure your workplace is designed to be the best that it can be!

Blaine Robert Design understands that not only is a workspace valuable to a company but that it can also be a driver of the brand identity. The design of your office often communicates to a client the kind of business you have, and it is possible to incorporate brand elements into your workspace design.

Needless to say, your workspace is also often the first impression that your customers have. A messy and gloomy environment is bound to instil low confidence in your customers toward your brand. People will be more attracted to a business whose workspace has a better appearance.

Let us help you communicate your work ethos and company principles clearly with a design that accurately represents your brand image. With Blaine Robert Design, we will pave the smoothest way for you to run your business.