What Elements Make an Office Environment Great?

Offices are places of work, but that doesn’t mean they need to be uninspiring or lack that something special that makes them unique. In fact, the opposite is usually true.

In reality, a workplace’s look and feel can impact your business from the ground up, starting with your employees. For example, a great office environment can drive more people to apply for specific companies over others or even curb high turnover rates when done correctly.

As such, many modern businesses aim to differentiate themselves from the drab cubicle-lined workspaces of yesteryear by creating a pleasant and productive environment for everyone working there. However, achieving this takes a lot of planning and preparation to pull off.

Luckily, this considerable task can be overcome with a little bit of expert help – and we’ve got you covered.

Let’s dive in and go over a few of the main elements of a great office environment.

A Balance Between Private And Public Spaces

Just like all human beings, your employees value their agency and personal space – but they’re also likely drawn to collaborative environments.

As such, finding the balance between privacy and collaboration should be at the forefront of your mind when exploring new workspace options.

Long gone are the days of drab, mass-produced cubicles that block the sun (and the fun) out. Instead, well-designed modern offices lean into creating mini-spaces within larger areas where employees can choose to zone in on focused individual work sessions or bounce ideas off their colleagues when necessary.

But don’t be fooled by the opulence of something like Google’s sprawling corporate campus or other tech companies’ professional playgrounds. You don’t need to invest millions of dollars to create the perfect space.

Instead, consider creating pockets of privacy alongside a sizable open-plan office to balance collaboration and quiet focus. Something as simple as having large co-working spaces alongside standalone desks gives your team the freedom and space to find the perfect fit for them while also keeping costs relatively low.

"A comfortable working environment is important to enable employees to focus and do their job perfectly" An Overview of the Influence of Physical Office Environments towards Employees

A Mix Of “Formal” and “Informal” Work Areas

When we think of work, most people are tempted to fall into the traditional idea of stuffy suits and straight-backed chairs. However, the truth is that work culture continues to transform as folks become more cognizant of their needs as professionals and employees.

With all of that said, formal work still has its place within the professional realm, primarily when operating within people-centric industries. But even the most prestigious high-octane companies need a place for team members to settle down and approach a work-related task in relaxed environments.

But what does that mean, exactly? Consider this: most companies usually have a boardroom or formal meeting room lined with chairs and peripherals for presentations – and they’re traditionally zones associated with high-pressure situations and stress.

Just as these bastions of productivity are essential for “formal” work where minutes are taken, and employees are evaluated, so are more relaxed working areas like designated collaboration zones.

By striking a balance between the two, your team members will have more space to be creative while maintaining your company’s professionalism.

The Look And Feel

One of the first things anyone will notice about an office is its appearance, followed shortly by its overall feel and atmosphere. Nobody wants to work in a drab, cluttered office that hardly has any wiggle room for more than two people at a time – and opting for stylish, sweeping spaces benefits your business in several ways beyond aesthetics.

By maintaining a space that looks and feels good, your employees are likely to reach optimum productivity levels while also feeling great about their jobs.

A great office environment doesn’t just stop at the right paint job or classy furniture, though. Smell, noise isolation, ambient temperature, and lighting are all significant factors in overall employee satisfaction and can even cut down absenteeism over time.

Furthermore, a large part of an office’s overall look and feel is the building itself and its location, so you’ll need to consider these when finding a home base for your operations.

Ergonomics

One of the biggest pitfalls of maintaining a desk job (as many people do) is the physical strain of repetitive tasks while managing the pitfalls of sitting down all day – and this is where office ergonomics can make a huge difference.

Cheaping out on everyday use furniture can mean sore muscles, painful backs, and even carpal tunnel syndrome in many individuals, meaning people are going to feel worse about their day-to-day at the office.

But while investing a little bit more into ergonomic furniture or renting an office with a premium selection of pre-selected seating options can save lots of time (and pain) in the long run, there are also smaller, more immediately actionable adjustments you can make to save backs and bodies.

That said, small additions like footrests and supportive cushions alongside bigger purchases like ergonomic chairs and standing desks are truly the best course of action for a happy and healthy team.

Ease of Access

The inside of an office building is just as important as the outside – especially when you plan to have your team reporting to HQ regularly. This is when considering your employees’ daily lives and needs can really change the game.

Think: wouldn’t having walkable parking options, restaurants, pharmacies, groceries, and even entertainment options near your office be amazing?

You could finish work, run a few errands, and then head home for the day knowing you’ve earned your rest. In short, employees with easier access to amenities and essentials can get more done while resting more.

That said, accessibility to different amenities and essentials exceeds keeping your team happy and satisfied, especially if you’ll meet with potential clients regularly. Having these dining and entertainment options means your team can go from the office to informal meetings without too much fuss over a commute.

Services

It goes without saying that everyone wants a workspace wherein they can do their best work – and sometimes that means offloading some of the daily administrative tasks so folks can concentrate on the important things.

While most run-of-the-mill office buildings come quite barebones and empty, other more luxurious options usually provide front-of-office staff to help with answering phones and making copies while serving as the face of your operations.

That means team members and guests alike get top-tier service as they walk through the doors of your office, meaning everyone comes away feeling valued and cared for.

Build Your Dream Office Environment

An office’s environment isn’t just about the way things look, but that does play a central part in the grand scheme of things – which is why it’s so essential you pick the right spot to set up shop. We have properties in downtown and midtown Tulsa that put you in the lap of luxury even while you work.

We’d love to find the perfect space for you. Drop us a line so we can start building your new home base together.