Over the last three years, striking a work-life balance has become more complex. Remote work has clearly drawn a line between the two, leading many people to identify primarily as having a work life and a home life. This viewpoint portrays the “office” — whether in person or two feet from their bedroom — as a stressful part of their day, where negative energy seeps into non-work hours. As a result, it is vital to consider human-centered office interior design as a driving force behind a successful office and its staff. Recognizing employee health and well-being opens users’ eyes to the possibilities of making the workplace a positive part of their day rather than a stressful part.

Why Do Offices Need Positive Energy?

A design approach based on emotions and feelings is all about creating stimulating surroundings that give power back to the user while also supporting their mental and physical wellness. Timeless, minimalistic interiors remove excess from the equation and focus the energy on the individuals in those physical places. We’ve all been in situations where we couldn’t concentrate because our workplace was unorganized or there was too much noise.

When there is a less visible distraction, our thoughts are likewise at rest. This leads to a positive and creative frame of mind that is free of tension. The idea is for that emotion to stay with the user throughout the day and for them to be excited to return to that sensation evoked by the thoughtfully-curated office interiors the next day. Changing mindsets is challenging, especially when you are not in a healthy environment that would assist you in making this beneficial mental adjustment. In a safe, familiar office, users are more likely to be vulnerable.

Implementing Energizing Design Concepts

We must build spaces where people desire to work and socialize in addition to instilling positive energy. It’s important to use design elements that stimulate the five senses and help employees feel confident in their surroundings. An open, uncomplicated layout connected by arches rather than lockable doors creates a needed flow and encourages healthy workplace interaction. Building such relationships has a safe environment free of public speaking apprehension. And in the chaos of a regular workweek, lounge rooms are better for comfort than work. A designated location for unwinding, sharing lunch with a coworker, or celebrating helps to keep the positive vibe cyclical. The following features indicate a pleasant, homey atmosphere and should be considered while creating workplace interiors.

Some Work, Some Play

Design considerations are not confined to building and furniture materials. Team building is essential for creating a happy, healthy workplace. And recreational places can break the daily monotony, embrace internal camaraderie, and generate more robust relationships between coworkers. Friendly competition on foosball, ping-pong, arcade, and pinball machines activates a brain region that is usually idle during the workday. Which makes breaks even more appealing.

When these tenets are satisfied, the team celebrates individual triumphs as much as group successes. Thus, instead of seeing going to work as a chore to maintain their 50/50 work-life “balance,” people look forward to continuing their work from the day before and coming in with an open mind.

Today’s office workers want soft home aspects, flexible furniture, and hybrid workspaces. As well as design touches that might be added to these functional places to inspire employees. Improved acoustics, sustainable structural characteristics, technology-backed buildings, and digital tools in conference rooms and shared areas are popular. Architects and designers must remain open-minded and focused on user well-being as office spaces adapt and grow.

This article is based on Fernanda Ruelas, Emotion’s Leading Role In Designing Positive Workplace Interiors, published in Work Design Magazine.

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