Think long term for your new office upgrade

Office in need of an upgrade? Don’t think cheap as chips – think long-lasting and stylish to impress your clients, improve staff well-being and save money in the long run.

If you’re looking to upgrade your commercial space to one that’s more long-lasting and continues to look professional for years to come, it’s worth thinking about the message you want to convey to staff and clients. If you’re looking to upgrade your office to something a bit more modern, here are some tips and tricks to help your new design last that bit longer, and look much more impressive.

Ergonomic and attractive furniture

Consideration for employees should be a key factor in your choice of furniture, the benefits of this go beyond making staff feel comfortable in their environment:

“Ergonomically excellent products are likely to improve efficiency and productivity by helping to eliminate or minimise the ill effects of twenty first century offices and work practices. They can also reduce the incidence of musculo-skeletal disorders (MSD’s) and the resultant work absences.”

Levent Çaglar, FIRA‘s Senior Ergonomist

Once the basic considerations of comfort, safety and efficiency have been included as part of your furniture choice criteria, consider if the furniture portrays the company in the best light. Get rid of the cheap blue desk chairs, dull MDF desks and generic furniture that could be found in any office anywhere and opt for attractive furniture styles that reflect the personality of your business. For a modern agency, beautiful desks and work areas can be a source of inspiration, and for more high-end industries deeper woods and heavier furniture can give an air of professionalism and will last for much, much longer.

Flooring to last

Unlike businesses that opt for more appropriate types of floor, many offices soon find themselves with worn-down commercial flooring that’s a pain to replace, and even more difficult to match. With so much foot traffic and movement in the average busy office, you’ll want something that’s not only stylish but hard-wearing too. Faded flooring is never a good look, but fresh and perfect flooring is seriously impressive – especially in an open-plan environment.

Carpet tiles can lend a warmer effect without the difficulty of using whole rolls of carpet, or for a truly modern and minimalist look, you can opt for vinyl flooring that comes in thousands of designs to match any and all requirements. From light faux wood to dark marbles, vinyl has a style to match your needs without exorbitant costs, that’s as hard-wearing as it is aesthetically pleasing. For more details read our blog on flooring for a modern office.

Space and light

Nothing makes an office feel more worn-out than a dark, crowded atmosphere. Airy, open office plans are not only visually appealing, they’re timeless and far easier to upgrade and customise than less flexible forms of decoration. Large windows that let in a lot of light are far superior to overhead lighting and can serve to raise your employees’ spirits too. There has been a lot of studies into the benefits of natural light in the office. Optimising furniture layouts, architectural light shelves and the careful positioning of shared breakout spaces, are among the wide range of opportunities for increasing daylight amenity to the most frequently occupied work areas. It is worth noting day light has been found to be the number one wanted natural feature in the workplace.

Furniture and flooring play a large part in making an office look spacious – by choosing lighter and brighter tones, even a small room can feel spacious when carefully designed. An easy and breezy style can last the lifetime of any office – genuinely thinking long term when it comes to impressing clients and exciting staff on a daily basis.

 

If your business is due a decor upgrade, don’t let your first thought be the cheapest option. There are countless benefits to thinking long-term when it comes to the design of your office, so when it comes to taking the leap, ensure that you choose materials that will keep on lasting, and keep on impressing your staff and visitors every time. Create an office space to be proud of.

 

Feature Image shows our Aspect carpet tiles used in a recent project.

Designing a smart office – what lies beneath

The workplace is changing, with less space and more multi-functionality. Smart office design means going beyond the complexities of different usage and space restrictions to considering the impact on people. Sensory well-being in a technological age means designing for comfort and expression, as well as efficiency – flooring can play a role in this.

Ambitious companies are fully embracing the need to create digital workplaces and use smart office technology. They are investing heavily in devices and software to create greater connectivity, data management, energy control and customer interaction.

The concept of a “digital workplace” incorporates a certain degree of mobility, as it enables more remote working. However, for most companies, it is still vital to have a central workspace that reflects the company’s commitment to technology, and also its brand identity.

What does this mean? Put at its most simple, even the most technically astute and well-equipped companies – supported by an array of devices and software – still need to look after their workforce and give clients the right impression.

Making smart offices “people friendly”

The smart office will have considerable technology built into its design and layout, including sensors and controls to moderate heat, humidity, light, air flow and even window coverings.

Staff still need to be provided with a pleasant environment that supports the digital workplace. All the gadgets and gizmos available don’t negate the need to support employees’ sensory “well being”.

Also, customers and suppliers need to have a venue to visit that instils in them strong passive messages about an organisation.

How can interior design help?

Technology affects working environments profoundly. The smart office and digital workplace are likely to bring with them a stripped-back workspace. They hinge on access to devices, with some collaborative working provision thrown in for good measure.

Smart offices are likely to be open plan and modular; providing opportunities to change layouts, furniture configurations and purposes quickly.

They are also much tighter on space than previous business work areas, not least as cutting down on floor space can represent a considerable cost saving.

This also means that smart office interior design needs to take account of multi-functionality. For example, the communal rest area may need to be a client meeting zone tomorrow, and the reception area could be used as a work station as and when required.

What lies beneath the best smart office?

When designing smart offices, choosing the right flooring is certainly key.

Choosing floor covering with the right aesthetic appeal and a degree of comfort can transform smart offices into a welcoming and pleasant space. The right commercial carpeting and tiling can make the difference between “clinical” and tech-focused work areas and a creative, inspiring environment.

As modular furniture and workplace layouts may need to be moved and altered regularly, the flooring also needs to be tough enough to withstand the residual wear and tear.

For some specifiers and architects, commercial carpet tiles and vinyl tiles are a valuable aid to creating a seamless and well-orchestrated smart office. Colour schemes and different textures and finishes can be applied to create floor definition. This can zone specific work areas for example, or mark out walkways that need to be kept clear. Creative floor design in a smart office could also mark out the reception area, a relatively inexpensive method of upgrading the “shop front” of the office, while keeping an open feel without dividers and walls.

 

Sound of success – perfect acoustics for a productive office

Sound levels in workplaces can distract staff and even make them ill, reducing productivity by up to two thirds. This blog considers how acoustics should be managed, by considering office layout as well as appropriate commercial flooring.

Creating or refurbishing workplaces means having your ear to the ground for the best interior designs ideas and trends. However, your ears are also a valuable design tool in other ways. Modern office environments rely on good acoustics to create the best conditions for employee comfort and productivity.

This is particularly true as many offices and workspaces these days rely on being open plan, to support collaborative working. They are also designed around technology and the need for modular and agile layouts for flexibility.

All very laudable, but if the acoustics get forgotten, modern workplaces can be unpleasant and distracting. This is bound to reduce concentration and productivity levels, and this is by up to two thirds, according to one expert on sound quality. In an article for The Guardian, Julian Treasure, chairman of The Sound Agency, makes it clear that sound can actually make people feel physically ill.

He says: “Sound in a space affects us profoundly. It changes our heart rate, breathing, hormone secretion, brain waves, it affects our emotions and our cognition.”

“There is also a lot of research to demonstrate that noise in offices changes people’s behaviour – it makes them less helpful, more frustrated, absenteeism goes up and so does the rate of sickness.”

Anxiety levels will increase, as staff try to focus on their tasks and deal with background noise. Stress levels will rise exponentially with the volume of sounds around them.

Does silence work best in workspace?

The distraction and discomfort of trying to tune out conversations right next to you or the ambient noises in a room may lead you to believe that a totally silent office would be preferable.

Even if this were possible, it would be equally disruptive and unpleasant. Staff might find it intimidating to have this imposed on them.

Accoustic solutions for modern work space

As with all new workspace designs, the solution relies on having the right balance of functionality, aesthetics and sensory stimulation. Just as when creating workspace levels of natural and artificial light would be carefully weighed up and quality tested, so sound management needs to be considered.

One of the best tests to decide a plan of action is to sit and walk in the space with your eyes closed. Where is the worst reverb and pooling of background noise? Looking at a workspace layout, where are the phones and equipment in relation to meeting rooms and areas designated for quiet reflection?

Of course, the flooring matters, too. Would commercial carpets in some zones help to deaden sounds and create the right acoustics? If hard surfaced flooring is preferred, ask about sound management options. This can be vital in businesses relying on a peaceful and caring environment, such as healthcare facilities, but also public buildings and education buildings.

One thing is for sure: facility managers and businesses will like the sound of a project that considers their ears as well as their eyes.

The geometric floor trend

Geometric flooring is essential to the latest Scandi look. We explore how pattern creates a fresh take on an interior style that will add instant appeal to any commercial space.

With all eyes on simplicity in the 2016 interior world, this year, we began to see the development of pattern, colour and texture begin to move from walls and onto more unconventional areas of the room. Floors and ceilings began to take colour and pattern risks, offering a fresh alternative to feature walls and introducing excitement into interiors in small, softer doses. In keeping with the hottest Scandi inspired decor looks, this approach to colour and pattern blends well with stripped back, minimal decor yet offers depth and personality in a space.

Geometric patterns play a big part in achieving this look, offering pops of colour in a structured sense that fits in perfectly with a minimal aesthetic. And with plenty of commercial spaces striving to achieve that clean, calm Scandi look in the last few years, it can be difficult to stand out from the rest. Read on and find out more about the latest geometric floor trend and how it can transform a commercial space into one that’s more memorable than the rest.

Let pattern do the talking

For a subdued look that works particularly well with organic, outdoors-inspired interiors, a strong pattern in neutral colours will add striking depth to space. By sticking to a simple colour palette, you can afford to be more adventurous with style. Don’t be afraid to be bold. Jaunty patterns, oversized shapes and angular designs will all look great against pale walls and wood furniture.

Reignite your love of herringbone

Herringbone is a timeless pattern that can be reinvented again and again. For a more classic interior, a statement herringbone in bold colours or simple monochrome will stand out and create interest against minimal decor. To give a stylish nod to art deco, opt for primary colour herringbone floor tiling against white walls. Not only will this add a playful element to your space, but it will offer workers a fresh, exciting look that will help the creative juices flow.

Let your floor be the only source of colour

Contrast a clean, calm whitewashed interior with a pop of colour from your floors. For the more adventurous commercial spaces, you can opt for an entire floor of colour and introduce angular, block-coloured furniture in mid-century designs. Or, for a subtler look, perhaps tile a small area or border instead. You can even create a playful, fashion-forward mismatched look by layering different patterns together. Just make sure that when it comes to this look, the bolder, the better.

To view the Duraflor Momenta Herringbone range click here.

Understanding slip ratings on flooring

The most common injuries in the workplace come from falls, slips and trips. Our guide to commercial flooring will help you address these issues and understand the different ratings.

Many workers spend around 70% of their days in their work environments. Having a creative and clean workplace is valuable, but even more essential is a safe space to work in. A crucial component of that is the safety of the very floor they walk on. With accidents in the workplace largely being in the form of slips and trips, slip ratings provide contractors and employers one way to assess what kind of floor they should have, particularly in relation to the construction and material used.

What are slip ratings?

Floor materials are graded to ensure commercial compliance to certain safety regulations. The R rating standard is used in environments for covered feet, in which a rating of R9 indicates a high chance of slipping (especially when the floor is wet), while a rating of R13 indicates a very unlikely chance of slipping at all. Materials that are smooth and slick, such as marble, fall nearer to R9, whereas rougher textures would belong in categories up to R13.

As mentioned, falls, slips and trips make up a sizeable percentage of injuries in the workplace – about 19%, or a fifth of them, to be exact. Many of them happen when the integrity of the floor surface is compromised, such as by spills or grease. Therefore, looking closely at the slip ratings of different floor materials depending on the needs of your office or work environment is of great importance.

Keep in mind that slip ratings for a floor may change as well, depending on factors during installation (such as the laying down of screed for tiling), daily wear and tear, and damage which can lead to flooring defects.

How are slip ratings measured?

British standards use a few measurements to assign a slip rating. First is the ramp test, whereby a tester walks up and down a ramp elevated to a certain angle. Another is the pendulum test coefficient of friction (CoF) test, where a trained professional assesses the slipperiness of a floor with a pendulum that has been fitted with a standard rubber sole. It tests for skid resistance by checking pendulum test values (PTV) under a controlled contact of the pendulum against the floor. The lower the PTV (for example, a score of 0 to 24), the higher the chance of slipping. A score of 36 or higher indicates an unlikely chance of slipping on the floor. Different sliders on the pendulums are used depending on whether the environment is made for shod feet or bare feet.

These methods are performed under both wet and dry conditions. Surface meters are also used to measure how rough the surface is, in Rz microroughness values. Measurements are taken across various points of the flooring.

Considering your work environment

Commercial flooring can include a wide variety of materials. For the average office that requires a safe floor which is also easy to maintain and clean, look for about R10. Workplaces that result in more wet floors, such as swimming pools or spas may consider getting flooring that tops off at R13 in order to maximise friction, such as heavily textured tiles that are still aesthetically pleasing.

If you’re interested in finding out more about flooring and safety, please contact Duraflor. We will be happy to assist you in picking out the best choice for your needs.

Understanding best practice for LRV contrast

Equality laws on building access require that you understand the importance of Light Reflective Value (LRV) and apply this knowledge to workplace interior design. This article provides guidance on these values, so your designs stay the right side of the law.

For a number of reasons, understanding the Light Reflective Value of your colour scheme is central to designing a new commercial space, or refurbishing an existing one. However, did you know that you could be in breach of legislation if you don’t apply it to entrances, exits and along walkways?

LRV is a long way from being simply a question of aesthetics or using contrasting colours to zone areas of your commercial, educational or health building. Understanding LRV and applying it to commercial design – including floor definition – could avoid fines of up to £50,000 under the Equality Act (2010) UK Building Regulations Approved Document M:2015 – ‘Access to and use of buildings’.

LRV and the Equality Act

First, a quick reminder of what LRV is. This is a universal measure of contrast between colours – LRV measures how much useful light gets reflected by specific coloured objects. But it’s not a measure of colour; it’s a measure of light and dark. The scale runs from 0 to 100 with pure black being 0 and pure white, 100. It is possible that different colours could have similar LRVs.

So what’s the connection with Equality?

The Equality Act requires that building owners and facility managers ensure that everyone – regardless of gender, disability or age – can access structures. That includes workplaces, education establishments and public buildings.

There are over two million people in the UK dealing with some degree of sight loss. By 2020, it is believed that this figure will grow by another quarter of a million.

To successfully move around, many rely on the LRV of surfaces, doors, stairs and so forth, to gauge gradients and changes in floor surface, or find features. Your interior design could have the same LRV level, regardless of the colour scheme you painstakingly chose.

Good practice for workplace interiors

The fact is that most people who are registered blind can actually discern colours. Less than 5% are totally blind. So, contrasting colours is important to the visually challenged, and accordingly the old DDA and the Equality Act, colour contrasting should involve colours whose LRV ratings are at least 30 points apart. This relates to things such as doors, doorframes and walls; floor/wall unions; walls and handrails, and walls and sanitary components.

What you also need to keep in mind is whether the objects are two or three-dimensional, whether surfaces are matt or gloss, and the use of metallic and non-metallic finishes. For example, a door and its handle may only need a 15 point LRV differentiation, as the handle structure is sufficiently contrasting with the two-dimensional door surface.

One of the key elements of building navigation and contrast, is, of course, the flooring. Think about creating sufficient LRV contrast between areas of raised flooring, steps, gradients or any safety flooring areas. This will ensure someone with a visual impairment can move around your premises unhindered.

Look, too, at the way your flooring contrasts with walls, rails and other structural definitions, to provide input on the dimensions of rooms and walkways in your workplace or public building.

So, for example, to meet the guidelines and ensure good practice for LRV, you may choose to have light walls, black fittings and a grey floor. This provides people with sufficient contrast to differentiate the room’s features and navigate around it more easily.

Where to get help on LRV good practice

Need more help in measuring and applying the principles of LRV to your choice of carpet tiles, vinyl or matting?

A Duraflor expert can provide you with the LRV information on all our flooring products and assist in choosing the right flooring for a particular project. Our sister company Artech offers a range of DDA compliant anti-slip inserts and risers.

Is design more important than office location?

vinyl flooring light with sunlight

Location is often a top priority for companies looking to move or set up new offices. However, compromising on location can leave money for a fabulously stimulating and attractive place to work.

The importance of location

The location of an office is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, placing an office in a fairly dense area or a wealthy city is likely to draw in the best candidates as they tend to already be working for top companies. There will also be a greater number to choose from, and they will not be tired out from having to commute to an unusual or less desirable area.

The importance of a stimulating work environment

However, companies have far more to think about when setting up a new office than simply where it is. A dark and dingy workspace is likely to have a huge impact on employee morale regardless of the desirability of its location. What business owners and directors may not consider is the fact that potential employees may be very happy to compromise on location if the office is well laid out, stimulating, and a pleasant place to spend 35-50 hours of their working weeks.

Of course, drawing in top new employees may be a difficult task if the office is miles from the nearest city or town. However, finding premises that lie outside of a main business hub but within a commutable distance can be a great compromise. Money will be saved on the office space itself, leaving plenty of money left over to create a modern and stimulating office interior. This could be a massive draw for potential employees, particularly considering the public’s increased understanding of the link between interior design and well-being.

Workers need space to move and explore

According to research the best offices encourage workers to sit, move and explore their environment as much as possible. Feeling trapped at work can be very detrimental to productivity and, more importantly, to the mental health of employees. One way to solve this could be to create specific zones for workers to visit depending on their mood or the task at hand. For example, a casual meeting zone could be created for employees who need brief one-on-ones with their colleagues, or a relaxation zone could be great for those who need a few minutes of downtime. To mark out these areas, office designers could lay down different types of flooring, for example: different coloured commercial carpet tiles and vinyl tiles could be a simple yet very effective way of giving the different office areas a unique feel.

There are many other ways for office designers to create a welcoming environment. Lighting can have a huge effect on mood, along with how comfortable the furniture is, or how accessible facilities such as bathrooms or kitchens are. Simple things such as temperature regulation are also important, so it might be useful to consider installing features such as floor insulation. Considering such small things is imperative to creating the perfect office design. Or as per the stunning design featured in this blog from McFeggan Brown, which uses Momenta Rusticana, why not bring location into the office?

Specifying commercial flooring materials that are DDA compliant

When considering the implication of the Disability Discrimination Act and the Equality Act regarding commercial flooring you need to be fully aware of the importance of Light Reflective Value. Read on to find out more.

If you are managing a new building construction project or you are involved in the supply of materials for such a project (and this can include building refurbishment and renovation work) you need to be fully aware of the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) and the Equality Act. You will need to take these into account when specifying materials – especially commercial flooring or safety flooring.

By ensuring that the commercial flooring materials (the type used in commercial premises such as shops and factories etc. comply with all aspects of the DDA and also section M of the Building Regulations, premises owners can safeguard their businesses from injury claims and any ensuing law suits. According to the DDA, employers the business owners have a duty of care to ensure people who have disabilities are not disadvantaged in any way by the premises they work in or visit.

The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act came into force in 2010. It has in effect replaced The Disability Discrimination Act, and it states that all new/refurbished buildings that are visited by members of the general public, and places of work, must meet current regulations by ensuring that any such buildings are freely accessible to all as per BS8300/Building Regulations Approved Document “M”.

The importance of light reflective value (LRV)

With regard to anyone with a visual impairment, it is important that certain elements of a building stand out from their surroundings. These elements include doorways, stairs, ramps, fixtures and fittings. The way this is done is by the use of colour contrasting, which is measured via what is known as an object’s Light Reflective Value (LRV).

LRV measures how much useful light gets reflected by specific coloured objects. But it’s not a measure of colour; it’s a measure of light and dark. The scale runs from 0 to 100 with pure black being 0 and pure white, 100. It is possible that different colours could have similar LRVs.

Why colour contrasting is so important

The fact is that most people who are registered blind can actually discern colours. Less than 5% are totally blind. So, contrasting colours is important to the visually challenged, and accordingly the old DDA and the Equality Act, colour contrasting should involve colours whose LRV ratings are at least 30 points apart. This relates to things such as doors, Doorframes and walls; floor/wall unions; walls and handrails, and walls and sanitary components.

Various establishments and their specific accessibility concerns

When it comes to commercial flooring, including commercial carpets and carpet tiling, ramps and stairs, being aware of the regulations specified in the Disability Discrimination Act and the Equality Act is absolutely essential. This is especially the case in certain establishments that are open to the public, including the likes of care-homes, hospitals, restaurants, schools and shops. Making sure that floors are non-slippery and that floor surfaces are wheelchair friendly is a fundamental requirement.

LRV and colour contrasting are important on any stairways with any stair risers being carefully chosen to stand out against the steps themselves.

What is the best type of flooring for a modern office space?

Vinyl, laminate, hardwood, rubber or ceramic tiles? We take a look at the ideal commercial flooring option for your office space. This means considering, service life, traffic levels and maintenance when making your choices.

When deciding on the best type of flooring for a modern office space, there are a number of popular commercial flooring options to consider and factors that could make one option better than another. This article may help you when discussing options with clients.

Key considerations when choosing office flooring

Not all floor finishes will suit every location. Factors to take into account include:

Traffic levels and service life

Consider the life expectancy of your chosen flooring type, taking into account the traffic it will have to withstand. High footfall through the office will need flooring that is robust enough to withstand the wear and tear. In this case Class 33 will be a key requirement.

This classification system, which is used for flooring made of carpet, vinyl, laminate, parquet, ceramic tiles, etc. roughly defines what type of room each floor can be used in. Class 32, means that the floors can be used for moderate commercial use, while Class 33 signifies heavy commercial use.

The standard requires that the flooring product will last at least 10 years without presenting problems, if used in a designated room type.  However, the floor must have been installed according to the instructions and used and maintained as prescribed for this to apply.

Repair flexibility

Be sure to choose flooring that is easy to access should it require repair, with minimal inconvenience to staff and clients.

Maintenance

Consider the cost of labour required to maintain the flooring over time versus the installation cost.

Installation

Some forms of flooring are much cheaper and quicker to have installed than others, so remember to take this into account when looking at your available budget and practical downtime.

Cost

The cost of your choice of flooring material should be weighed up against ease of maintenance and life expectancy; cheapest is not necessarily the most cost-effective in the long run.

Different types of flooring

Carpet and carpet tiles:

Carpet and carpet tiles are ideal for businesses that require noise insulation and they can help to keep the environment warm too. Tiles are more easily and cheaply replaced when damaged and can be more hard-wearing. This often makes carpet tiles a more sustainable option over broadloom.

Vinyl flooring:

Vinyl flooring is a popular form of commercial flooring due to its longevity and hard-wearing performance qualities. Vinyl is perfect for office premises with high foot traffic levels as it is resistant to damage, such as dents from heels or scratches from dragged furniture. It’s also easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance.

Rubber flooring:

Rubber flooring is also very hard-wearing and suits environments where resistance to heat and water is important. It’s slip-resistant, easy to walk on, and sound absorbent too.

Hardwood flooring:

Hardwood flooring is stylish and gives an office a classic, executive feel. It’s very durable although it can be damaged by water. The main drawback of hardwood flooring is that it is usually the most expensive flooring option. Hardwood can also be slippery if it is over-polished.

Laminate:

Laminate offers a cheaper alternative to hardwood, ceramic tiles or stone. Laminate is simple and cheap to install and is very resistant to dents and scratches, also being resistant to water damage. Laminate is available in many different varieties of hardwood and stone effects and can still give an office a very natural looking appearance.

Ceramic tiles:

Ceramic tiles can be a good flooring option for an office where water damage could be an issue. Although tiles are easy to clean and maintain, and they do last a long time, they can be problematic to replace should they become cracked, and they tend to lack the noise insulation properties of other flooring options. Tiles would be best-suited to an office in a particularly warm building as they tend to lack the warming qualities of vinyl, rubber and carpeting.

 

In addition to above considerations, it will be important to consider the overall look and feel you want to achieve and the main purpose of each room. Acoustics, health and safety, and creating the right atmosphere will all impact on choice of flooring.

 

Image shown on this page is kindly supplied by Zentura – read our case study 

Practical office design for productivity and aesthetics

How can practical office design affect employees’ productivity? We take a look at the role lighting and decor play in getting things done.

When employees’ work conditions are designed with comfort and health in mind, you will be rewarded by increased productivity and staff morale, as well as a much more attractive working environment for everyone to spend their day in. We take a look at two of the more eye-catching design elements of an office: décor and lighting.

The role of lighting and decor in office productivity

Décor

You can quickly and inexpensively change the whole aesthetics of your office, simply by changing the colour of the wall. White walls can appear stark and clinical, while a University of Texas study discovered that walls painted in a bland colour – such as grey or beige – can actually invoke feelings of sadness and depression in certain people.

With that in mind, you should opt to accentuate certain shades in your office design, without going too overboard (the same study showed that orange and purple can have negative effects on men). Consider incorporating a feature wall in a cooler, blue-green colours, which can be less ‘aggressive’ than reds and therefore encourages productivity in some workers, according to Nancy Kwallek.

Of course, there’s more to décor than colour. Partitions have been accused of making people feel isolated, but a glass partition could offer numerous benefits, including improved productivity from workers knowing that they are being scrutinised. Glass partitions can also help your office space to appear more open to light, which brings us on to our next point…

Lighting

Getting the lighting right in the office is essential if everything else is to work. Natural light is best where possible, as it allows your employees to feel more connected to the outside world and helps to do away with the feeling that workers are unable to see daylight for much of their working day. Louvres – a form of window blind or shutter – are a flexible option which allow your staff to control just how much light makes its way into your building while reducing glare and maximising airflow.

Some office buildings may not be in a suitable location to attract natural daylight, necessitating the need for an artificial lighting solution. Often, lighting in offices is restricted to the ceiling, but studies show that the more lighting, the better in terms of productivity – the Light Right Consortium found that only 70% of employees working with purely downward lighting were comfortable, while 91% working in an office with direct/indirect lighting and plenty of vertically lit surfaces were happy with their work environment. For more detail take a look at this article.

A mixture of different lighting, with individual employees able to control brightness, is surely the best way ahead for any forward-thinking enterprise.