There are plenty of studies indicating that contact with nature is healthy in the workplace. Exposure to nature can include anything from fresh air (i.e. an open window) to increased natural light or the inclusion of potted plants. The actual figures vary from one study to the next. Even so, there is no question that employees report getting more work done and experiencing less stress when they work in an environment that includes exposure to nature.
Many employers are already interested in boosting office efficiency, and one way to accomplish this is by allowing more natural light inside. However, there is also much to be said of the role that employee morale plays in workplace productivity. If your employees are happy to be at the office, then they are going to get more done in less time. Likewise, the more refreshed their breaks leave them feeling, the more work they are going to accomplish when they return to their desks.
Along those lines, some employers are taking longer looks at their employee lounge areas. Giving workers the chance to spend break time in an outdoor space is a promising proposition, but it’s essential that this outdoor space be arranged in such a way that it’s comfortable, suitable for a break and relatively easy to keep clean.
With that in mind, consider the following tips when arranging an outdoor lounge for your employees:
Define the space
This is important for more than one reason. To begin with, the outdoor lounge still needs to feel like it’s a part of the office as opposed to a coincidental park that just happens to abut the property. Try the following tricks to delimit that space:
• Use an area rug to demark the lounge area.
• Purchase actual furniture rather than a park bench and BBQ set.
• Utilise privacy partitions to keep the space attached to the building.
Provide Comfortable Seating
Maximise the space with furniture that is easy to rearrange. Square shaped furniture such as a rattan garden furniture cube set is going to fit more snugly into corners and confined spaces. This makes it easier for several employees to enjoy a lunch break together without feeling absolutely cramped. Better yet, furnishings like this offer back support and come complete with cushions. L-shaped outdoor sofas are another option.
Provide Sufficient Lighting
Lighting becomes more important if you have employees in outside of regular business hours, or if there is so much shade over the outdoor lounge that it’s difficult to see in the early mornings and late afternoons. However, too much light can be a strain on the eyes, and that limits the effectiveness of the lounge space. For a highly efficient approach, consider hanging solar-powered LED lanterns that absorb power from the sun during the day and then distribute this in the form of soft light in the mornings and evenings.
Include Plants in the Lounge
Plants in the workplace have been shown to increase employee productivity in several studies. With that in mind, it’s wise to look for areas in which you can arrange plants indoors as well. When it comes to the outdoor space, a few well-placed potted plants – or even a decorative tree or shrub on the perimeter of the space – can enhance the effectiveness of the outdoor lounge.
Splashes of Colour
In general, offices lack vision when it comes to décor and design. This applies to outdoor lounges, as well, where it is often assumed that the supposed ‘vibrancy of nature’ is all the design work you’ll need. Incorporate a few splashes of colour to keep things interesting.
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