Workplace lactation rooms, also known as breastfeeding rooms or sometimes mothers' rooms, are comfortable and functional spaces designed for nursing parents to pump breastmilk or feed their child in a safe, clean, and private environment. Providing a proper lactation room can help ensure compliance with labor laws requiring employers to provide lactation accommodations and can also be a valuable benefit for companies that want to promote a positive work environment and support employee needs. 

NBF has an award-winning lactation room for our employees in our Milwaukee office, and we are committed to providing the tools you need to get your room ready, too.

Why Your Workplace Lactation Room Design Matters

Health and Wellness

Many considerations go into parenting decisions, including how they will feed their child. While breastmilk and formula both have wonderful benefits for parents and children, they can also both have difficulties with supply availability. Supporting a team member’s choice to breastfeed their child has links to physical wellness for both themselves and their child. 

It can also help to reduce physical complications that can arise from lack of consistent and dependable access to tend to the needs of one’s body while lactating. Additionally, removing some of the logistical planning from the mental load of a parent trying to feed their child while at work supports that employee in all areas of their job by creating more problem-solving bandwidth.

Inspires Achievement

Lactation rooms help reduce the amount of time needed away from work. This can result in increased productivity and reduce absenteeism due to breastfeeding-related issues. Additionally, providing people with the tools and support they need to do their jobs increases employee engagement and inspires people to show up and do their best.

Promotes Employee Retention

Providing a thoughtful lactation room in the workplace shows the company supports its employees' needs and encourages a positive work-life balance. This can improve employee satisfaction and contribute to higher retention rates.

Positive Public Image

Companies that provide well-designed lactation rooms are often viewed as family-friendly and supportive of working mothers. This positive image not only helps retain current talent but can only assist in talent attraction and acquisition.

Good Boundaries Protect All Employees

Some companies assign multipurpose functionality to rooms and depend on a rotating schedule to address employee lactation needs, but this can increase workplace anxiety. People are just as capable of going to the wrong conference room as they are of forgetting to lock a door. By having a protected lockable space for breast milk pumping, a privacy curtain in front of the door, and a sign that says when a room is occupied, employers are investing in protecting appropriate work-life boundaries that allow all employees to feel comfortable and confident.

How to Design a Workplace Lactation Room

Designing a workplace lactation room requires careful planning to ensure that it meets the needs of nursing employees. By following these steps, you can design a comfortable and functional lactation room that supports nursing employees and promotes a positive work environment.

1. Choose a Private Space

Look for a quiet and private room, preferably away from high-traffic areas, that can be used as a dedicated lactation room. It should have a locking door that can be unlocked from the outside in case of emergency, electrical outlets, and appropriate ventilation.

2. Include Necessary Amenities

Equip the space with a comfortable chair, a table, and electrical outlets that are accessible while seated at the table for breast pump use and optional laptop work or other needs. Other helpful room additions include a sink for washing pumps, a small refrigerator for storing expressed milk, a regularly serviced waste bin for disposing of used supplies, and storage or lockers for employees to keep their things separate and safe.

3. Provide Privacy

It's important to ensure that nursing mothers have the privacy they need. Add curtains or blinds to cover windows and doors, and provide privacy screens or floor-to-ceiling privacy curtains to create separation between pumping areas and common areas used for waiting, cleaning, and storage. Place an adjustable sign on the door that says if it is occupied.

Lactation Room Design Tips

These tips can make a world of difference and help you create a lactation room or mothers’ room that supports working parents. 

1. Consider Lighting

The room should have good reliable lighting. Dimmable lighting is ideal so people can adjust the lighting as needed to relax and stimulate milk flow. It is also important that eco-friendly lights that automatically turn off when movement is not detected in rooms do not leave nursing employees in the dark due to being still while pumping.

2. Make It Comfortable

Consider adding a comfortable rug, calming abstract artwork, or plants to make the space welcoming and relaxing. A soft lighting fixture, like a lamp or wall sconce, and a white noise machine or Bluetooth speaker can also help create a warm and soothing environment. Muted color palettes in the room may be appreciated, but there is no need to create a full nursery-like environment with baby decor.

3. Ensure Hygiene

The room should be easy to clean and disinfect regularly, with wipeable surfaces and appropriate supplies provided. It's also a good idea to provide disposable wipes so employees can clean surfaces before and after use. Consider keeping labels and markers and organizing trays near/in the fridge for parents to keep track of their milk.

4. Consider Hydration and Nutrition

Human bodies require 500–700 more calories daily to produce milk. If possible, have water, tea, and snacks in the room since leaving to visit a breakroom while pumping or breastfeeding isn’t an option.

5. Post Accessible Information

Post information or a QR code linking to relevant and helpful information for new parents, such as the company policy to cover costs associated with breastmilk transportation when the parent travels for work.

6. Take Room Photos

Lactation rooms should be left out of office tours to ensure privacy. Therefore, make sure quality photos of the room are available for employees and job candidates before the day comes that they need the room.

7. Seek Feedback

Once the lactation room is set up, ask employees who use it for feedback on how it can be improved to better meet their needs.

We Offer Design Services

Most offices need a makeover. Flickering fluorescent lighting, drab cubicles, and sterile break rooms are anything but inspiring. 

And the impact is more than aesthetic—science has proven our environments affect our moods, energy levels, and cognitive functioning:

• Clutter increases feelings of stress, overwhelm, and anxiety while stifling productivity and even leading to erroneous decision-making.

• Lousy lighting causes sleepiness, irritation, eye strain, and migraines.

• Loud noises elevate stress symptoms by increasing heart rate and blood pressure while reducing blood oxygen levels.

• Workers in stark white offices tend to make more mistakes than their counterparts in colored offices. 

The good news? Even small environmental changes can spark more inspiration and motivation. Here’s some science-backed advice for adjusting your office space to improve your employees’ moods, energy levels, and overall performance.  

Use Design, Color, and Light to Create More Inspiring Office Spaces

Design With the Employee Experience in Mind 

Aside from waiting rooms, we tend to take a utilitarian approach to office design. But how an office space feels can be just as important as how it functions. 

For example, the expansive look of an open office can be impressive to the eye, but the ample noise that comes with an open office is less soothing to the ear—and it can take a toll on productivity. If you’re working with an open layout, divide the office into zones that support connection and focus where they’re needed most. Create a designated collaboration area that offers everything your team needs to ideate and share: a few comfortable couches, a whiteboard, some scratch pads and pens. Then choose a quiet corner of the office to be a library or deep focus area. Equip it with acoustic panels, dividing screens, or tall planters to minimize sound travel and visual distractions. 

Be thoughtful about including elements that can make your team feel more comfortable throughout the workday: 

• Allow employees to personalize their workstations with pictures or mementos, which has been shown to boost mood and improve feelings of autonomy.

• Use coat hooks, shelves, and cabinets to eliminate clutter and keep working areas clean, which can reduce stress and distraction for employees. 

• Access to nature improves well-being on multiple fronts—so include plants and greenery in your office design, display green spaces on screens throughout the office, or even consider playing nature sounds as background noise to improve cognition. 

• Don’t overlook rugs, artwork, and other accent pieces, which can make the office space feel more comfortable and inviting. 

Improve Moods and Cognition With Color 

Many commercial spaces have neutral color palettes. Shades of white, taupe, brown, or gray are common because neutral colors are easier to maintain and can complement a variety of decor styles. 

But neutral colors are also “safe”—they don’t make much of a statement. And they can negatively affect performance: Workers in white rooms make more mistakes, and gray can decrease workers’ confidence and energy.

Vibrant colors, on the other hand, can give your office space a distinct personality. Leverage color psychology to set the mood: 

• Blue, the world’s favorite color, is commonly associated with security, dependability, and trust—which is why blue is often the preferred brand color of finance and insurance brands. Lighter shades of blue evoke feelings of serenity and can be used to create a more soothing atmosphere.

• Yellow is correlated with joy, optimism, and enthusiasm. We associate yellow with sunshine and energy, so decorating with yellow can foster motivation and excitement. 

• Green is commonly used to represent nature and sustainability, which is why food brands favor it. Green also evokes feelings of newness, prosperity, and growth—we can’t forget that it’s commonly correlated with money in the US. 

• Orange is associated with confidence, creativity, and warmth—and it feels fun rather than corporate (Fanta and Nickelodeon feature 2 of the most popular orange logos). Orange is a fitting color for creative industries because it can foster ideation and innovation.

If you can’t paint walls within your space, introduce pops of color with artwork, rugs, throw pillows, or accent lighting. To really crank up the color, invest in couches or chairs featuring bold colors or prints. 

Energize Your Team With Better Lighting

Light exposure affects mood, sleep quality, energy levels, and even metabolism. 

A study by Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that “workers without windows reported poorer scores than their counterparts on quality of life measures related to physical problems and vitality, as well as poorer outcomes on measures of overall sleep quality and sleep disturbances.” In contrast, workers with windows received a whopping 173% more white light exposure and slept 46 minutes more each night.  

If your office space has plenty of windows, there may be a simple solution to helping employees feel more energized: rearrange. House workstations closer to windows so your team members can take advantage of natural light. This will help them keep their circadian rhythms in check, meaning they’ll work more productively during the day and sleep better at night. 

If window access is a challenge, smart artificial lighting can still work wonders. Here are some pointers: 

• Avoid dim or harsh lighting. Dim lighting causes eye strain, headaches, and sleepiness, while harsh lighting can disrupt circadian rhythms and energy levels.

• Use cool blue and white lights, which are good for waking up and concentrating. 

• Avoid fluorescent lights, which can trigger migraine symptoms. Opt for energy-efficient LED, incandescent, or halogen lights instead.

• Invest in timers or dimmers so you can easily adjust lighting and save energy when rooms aren’t in use.

Office Inspiration Is On Order

Inspiring office design is so much more than hanging up a few generic motivational posters. The right mix of color, lighting, and decor can create an office space that energizes and excites your whole team. 

So you need office chairs—but what type? Executive or ergonomic? Rolling or stationary? Bench or sofa? 

There are office chairs to suit every style and need, including computer, executive, ergonomic, drafting, and reception chairs. Here’s a quick guide to 16 of the most popular types of chairs and some pointers to help you while you shop. 

In a hurry? Click below to skip straight to the office chair you’re most interested in.

The 2 Most Common Types of Office Chairs

1. Computer Chairs: For standard desk work activities

2. Executive Chairs: When statement and luxury are key

6 Chair Styles to Meet Specific Needs

1. Big and Tall Chairs: For employees who need a little more room

2. Drafting Chairs and Stools: For drafting or standing desks

3. Ergonomic Chairs: For enhanced comfort and well-being

4. Kneel Chairs: The ultimate choice in ergonomic solutions

5. Small or Petite Chairs: Comfortable seating for smaller-stature individuals

6. 24-Hour Chairs: Designed for prolonged or shift-based work

2 Office Chairs With Alternative Arm Options

1. Armless Chairs: For when you're tired of bumping into desks or tables

2. Tablet Arm Chairs: Seating with a flat writing surface

4 Types of Office Chairs for Communal Spaces

1. Beam Seating: A space-saving solution for waiting rooms

2. Benches: Unobtrusive multiperson seating

3. Conference Room Chairs: For boardrooms or meeting spaces

4. Reception Chairs: For waiting rooms or reception areas

5. Sofas and Loveseats: For waiting rooms or common spaces

2 Chair Styles for Flexible or Temporary Use

1. Folding Chairs: A flexible, temporary seating solution

2. Stacking Chairs: Flexible seating that can be easily stored

The 2 Most Common Types of Office Chairs

Before we get into the countless styles of chairs, stools, and sofas available, let’s start with the basics: The two types of chairs found in just about every office are computer and executive chairs. 

1. Computer Chairs

Computer chairs (also commonly called task chairs) are a standard choice for office seating because they’re specifically designed to pair with computer desks. 

The best computer chairs offer features that enhance comfort and ergonomics while working at a computer for long hours: 

• Adjustable seats, backrests, and armrests for a comfortable fit

• Lumbar support for improved posture

• Swivel base and casters for easy movement

2. Executive Chairs

Executive chairs make a statement—they’re designed to convey status and authority. These chairs are often crafted out of high-quality materials like genuine leather and feature luxurious details. 

It’s common to see features like: 

• Tall, stately backs

• Button tufting and thick, winged cushioning

• Genuine wood or leather details

• Kick plates to prevent scratching

The quality of executive chairs goes far beyond looks, though—these chairs are constructed to keep the boss happy, so there are plenty of comfortable options available. 

6 Chair Styles to Meet Specific Needs

Big and tall, short and small. Ergonomic or around-the-clock. Here are 6 chairs designed with very specific needs in mind.

1. Big and Tall Chairs

Standard office chairs aren’t one-size-fits-all. Big and tall chairs provide extra room for those who need a little more space to sit comfortably and feature heavy-duty construction to ensure long-lasting use and safe support for more than 250 lbs. 

Like standard office chairs, big and tall chairs are adjustable for increased comfort and swivel for easy movement.

2. Drafting Chairs and Stools

Drafting chairs and stools are designed for easy use with drafting tables, standing desks, or other elevated surfaces above normal desk height. 

Most drafting chairs and stools include seat backs and foot-support rings or bars to promote circulation and comfort while sitting for extended periods. Drafting chairs are typically height-adjustable, while drafting stools are fixed-height. 

3. Ergonomic Chairs

Ergonomic chairs are quickly becoming the modern office staple because ergonomically sound design can improve overall health, comfort, and even performance. 

In fact, studies have shown that ergonomic workstations can reduce lost workdays and workers’  compensation costs. 

When shopping around for an ergonomic chair, look for: 

• Lumbar support to help you maintain alignment while sitting

• A seat that tilts so you can find comfortable pelvic positioning

• An adjustable-height seat so you can rest your feet flat on the floor

• Adjustable-height chair arms so you can reduce shoulder strain and arm fatigue

• A headrest that will support your neck

Read more about the benefits of ergonomic chairs here.

4. Kneel Chairs

Kneel chairs are a type of ergonomic chair that holds the body in a kneeling position so weight is resting on the shins, which removes substantial pressure from the back, hips, and rear end. This reduced pressure lessens the occurrence of stiffness, pain, and long-term weakness.

Another perk: Since there’s no back piece on most kneeling chairs, the core and back muscles are forced to activate to maintain posture throughout the workday, which gradually strengthens them and reinforces stronger body alignment.

5. Small or Petite Chairs

Small office chairs are designed to keep petite or smaller-stature employees working comfortably. Seats as low as 15”, smaller seats and footrests, and low- or mid-back designs provide ergonomic support throughout the workday. 

Which chair size is right for you? Here’s a quick guide.

6. 24-Hour Chairs

If you have team members working long shifts or your business requires around-the-clock staffing, these might be the perfect chairs. 24-hour chairs (also commonly called 24/7 chairs) provide maximum support for employees in shift-based facilities like call centers or security companies. 

These chairs are constructed to withstand prolonged, intensive use and typically feature extra durable frames and thickly padded backs and seats.

2 Office Chairs With Alternative Arm Options

1. Armless Chairs

Armless chairs are, well, self-explanatory: They’re simply chairs that don’t have arms. Armless chairs come in handy if chairs are often bumping tables or desks or when you need to save valuable space to accommodate more seating in an already-full office. 

2. Tablet Arm Chairs

Tablet arm chairs are ideal for training rooms, libraries, study areas, or check-in areas that require visitors to fill out forms. These chairs have a flat surface attached to one or both arms that provides a writing surface or supports electronic notebooks. The flat surfaces can be tucked away when not in use, allowing for more flexibility. 

4 Types of Office Chairs for Communal Spaces

Do you need chairs for a reception area, waiting room, or communal space? Here are 4 seating solutions.

1. Beam Seating

Beam seating (also commonly called tandem seating) consists of chairs attached to a horizontal metal bar. These chairs are often found in waiting rooms and reception areas. 

The condensed profile of the beam structure can save you significant space if you’re working with a small space, although the nature of this seating may limit your layout options since the chairs can’t be split up. 

2. Benches

Benches are an unobtrusive, flexible seating solution. They’re popular for open office layouts because they offer ample seating without obstructing the expansive feel of the office. And since benches are easy to move and offer open access, they can be relocated or repurposed as your office grows. 

3. Conference Room Chairs

Conference room chairs (also commonly called meeting room chairs) are designed to be slightly forward-leaning to keep team members engaged during meetings and discussions. 

Conference room chairs typically have fewer adjustment options than standard computer or ergonomic chairs since they’re intended for shorter periods of use. Most conference room chairs are mesh or leather and may be purchased individually or in sets.

4. Reception Chairs

Reception chairs are—you guessed it—chairs for reception areas or waiting rooms. These single-person chairs are typically stationary and may feature a 4-leg, sled, or cantilever base. Reception chairs are available in a variety of styles, colors, and materials, so you can find plenty of options to make the ideal first impression when customers arrive.

5. Sofas and Loveseats

If you want to provide the ultimate in comfortable, upholstered seating and have plenty of options to choose from, look for sofas or loveseats. You can choose from a myriad of styles, sizes, shapes, colors, and fabrics. 

What’s the difference between a sofa and a loveseat? Seating capacity: Loveseats only seat 2 people at a time, whereas sofas typically hold 4 or more. 

2 Chair Styles for Flexible or Temporary Use

If you need lots of highly flexible seating, folding and stacking chairs are still the gold standard.

1. Folding Chairs

If you need flexible seating solutions, folding chairs may fit the bill. Temporary, portable seating provides maximum convenience for setting up and taking down large events like conferences or company-wide training workshops. 

Folding chairs are typically made of metal or plastic for extra durability and are available in a variety of colors and styles. 

2. Stacking Chairs

If you’re looking for ways to conserve space, consider stacking chairs. You can easily stack and store away these lightweight chairs, saving you precious square footage when they’re not in use. 

Stacking chairs are ideal for large events like conferences or open houses and are available in a variety of colors, styles, and materials. 

Get Expert Guidance for Seating Solutions

Short on time or still unsure which type of chair will fit your needs? Talk to the pros. Yes, we’ve got chair pros. Get in touch to take advantage of our free space planning and design services. We’ll help you make sure your whole staff is sittin’ pretty.

Making decisions about your workspace design is more important than ever. We’re living through rapid shifts in the corporate landscape. Organizations are struggling to attract and retain new talent—and office design plays an essential role. 

According to a recent Gensler report, “The quality of the workplace is a key driver in influencing employees’ decision to work in the office.” Since the pandemic, individuals have come to expect the office to deliver a different experience. Employees want the flexibility to work how they want to work, lounge-like seating that provides a space for connection with colleagues, and the ergonomic comfort missing from most home office setups.

Here’s how you can make simple updates to offer employees the “new office essentials” for 2023 and beyond. 

Adjustable-Height Standing Desks

Grant your team flexibility to work their way. Adjustable-height desks allow users to switch between working in a seated or standing position throughout the day. This allows for more active positioning during work without having to commit to one position over the other. Electric adjustable desks like this one allow you to transition from sitting to standing (and back again) with the push of a button. 

Featured Standing Desk: At Work Adjustable Height Desk

What’s to Love: “Simple, yet sleek and useful for any workspace.” - Lori, NBF customer

Discover the At Work Desk.

Lounge Seating

In addition to traditional office needs, workers now want the office to provide a mix of experiences—comfortable places for casual conversations and quiet areas to work away from their desk included. As a result, lounge seating is a new office must-have. Create spaces for your teams to connect in small groups, sink into brainstorming, or get cozy so they can clear out their email and reach “inbox zero.”

Featured Lounge Seating: Luxe Designer Guest Chair

What’s to Love: This guest chair gives you stylish club seating that will stand up to the heavy use of a commercial environment. 

Discover the Luxe Designer Guest Chair. 

(Serious) Ergonomics

You know what the office usually has that the home doesn’t? Serious ergonomics. After a couple of years of working from a dining room chair or a home office chair that wasn’t designed for all-day use, your team could use more support—literally. Look for ergonomic seating that’s tricked out with ergonomic bells and whistles like adjustable seat depth, seat heights, arm width, arm depth, 3D arms, and tilt lock. 

Featured Ergonomic Chair: Sleek Chair With Headrest

What’s to Love: This chair offers robust ergonomic features in a sleek package. It offers a 250 lb. weight capacity and a breathable mesh back (great for those who tend to run hot). 

Discover the Sleek Chair with Headrest.

Organization and Secure Storage

Give your team space to store paperwork and personal items. File pedestals like this one are designed to fit under most desks, giving team members easy-to-access storage without cluttering their workspaces. Letter- and legal-sized file storage can be great for storing important records or even notes for ongoing projects. 

Featured File Solution: At Work 2-Drawer File Pedestal

What’s to Love: The top drawer locks, giving team members a place to store valuables when they’re in the office. 

Discover the At Work 2-Drawer File Pedestal.

Need Help With a Bigger Project?

We’re bringing cozy to the office. Updating your office space to make it feel homey makes the idea of returning to the office more appealing. With these homey office essentials, you get all the benefits of the office experience (connection, collaboration) with the comforts of working from home. Here are the top ways to achieve the trend. 

Warm Fabrics and Inviting Texture

Embracing unexpected textures in the office can go a long way toward creating a homey atmosphere. Distinctive stitching makes this chair a simple way to give your office an instant shot of coziness (or, as the Danish call it, hygge). 

Featured Product: Parquet Mid-Back Executive Chair

Natural Tones and Textures

Give your office that quiet “tucked away in the library” vibe while adding robust storage. Wood-veneered bookcases like this can create a truly inspired effect. You can pair it with matching office suite furniture or mix and match with modern styles for a more eclectic feeling. 

Featured Product: Anderson 3-Section Bookcase with Ladder

Comfy, Cozy Seating

Lounge seating is a return-to-the-office essential. Teams want comfortable seating that brings a clubhouse, hotel lobby, or living room feel. This loveseat does all that, and it was built to withstand the high traffic of a commercial environment.

Featured Product: Luxe Designer Loveseat

Lounge Furniture

Continue to embrace the living room vibe with furniture built for conversation. A conversation table like this one gives team members a place to put their drinks and notebooks for quick 1:1s and small team huddles. Not every meeting requires an open laptop, and in those moments, you want a table that encourages people to set aside their tech and connect IRL. 

Featured Product: Luxe Conversational Table

Need Help? We’re Here

Still not sure what the best solutions are for you? Connect with one of our 100+ nationally distributed experts. We can help you figure out everything you need to make the best choice for your team, your space, and your budget. 

Your waiting room is often a customer’s first impression of your business. Smart waiting room planning can help you provide a comfortable, inviting experience right from the start and ensure that first impression is a positive one.

Here are some pro tips for measuring, planning, and furnishing a waiting room your customers won’t mind lingering in just a little longer. 

Waiting Room Measurement in 5 Steps

Taking accurate measurements is the crucial first step to planning your waiting room. Having a clear understanding of square footage and placement of items like windows or columns helps you choose furniture that fits—and arrange it in a way that makes visitors feel comfortable.

Here are 5 quick steps for collecting waiting room measurements:

1. Make sure you have a drawing of the floor plan. You can get one from your leasing office, create one yourself, or use a tool like RoomSketcher. Don’t forget to include doorways and windows.

2. Next, measure the perimeter of the room and record the exact width of each wall on the floor plan. 

3. Measure the length and width of doors and windows and record measurements on the floor plan. 

4. Note other elements that may affect your space planning, such as electrical outlets, columns, breaker boxes, and HVAC control pads or vents. 

5. Finally, measure the ceiling height and record it on your floor plan. 

Now that you’re equipped with the numbers you need, it’s time for the next step: planning.

4 Pointers for Waiting Room Planning

Waiting room planning often isn’t as straightforward as planning a private office because needs can vary by company size and industry. For example, healthcare waiting rooms are typically planned with quick check-ins and a steady stream of appointments in mind, while marketing agencies may use their waiting rooms to showcase projects or awards to prospective clients.

Although waiting rooms vary, there are some common themes: A waiting room should foster a strong first impression and comfortably accommodate your visitors’ needs.

Here are 3 crucial elements to consider when planning your waiting room:

1. Traffic: Most visitors will enter through the main doors, check in at the reception desk, then take a seat. Make their arrival feel easy and pleasant by creating an unobstructed path. If your waiting room gets busy enough that a line forms, make sure there’s space for visitors to queue up and enough seating to accommodate them once they’ve checked in.

2. Spacing: Are your visitors arriving individually or in groups? Couches or grouped chairs are better for groups, whereas individual seating is often spaced out a bit more because it can be awkward to sit elbow-to-elbow with a total stranger. And, of course, spacing out furniture can help with the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.

3. Comfort: If visitors may be waiting a while, consider including a television to provide some entertainment or a refreshment stand with coffee or tea, water, and individually packaged snacks. And do your best to choose furniture that won’t give your visitors a stiff back (more on this later). 

Review your floor plan and measurements as you think about these elements. Consider where you could place your primary furniture—reception desk and visitor seating—to keep traffic flowing smoothly. 

And make sure you have enough square footage to accommodate the seating you have in mind. A good rule of thumb is allotting 20 sq. ft. per person for smaller seats and 30–35 sq. ft. per person for lounge-style seating. (Read our guide to waiting room seating for more tips.)

Bonus: 2 Tips for Healthcare Waiting Rooms

Global architecture firm Gensler studied how design affects patient experience in waiting rooms and made 2 notable findings: 

1. Arranging furniture in small clusters to create intimate seating areas where groups of visitors could face each other increased communication by 100%. Patients and their families found it easy to engage in casual conversation to pass the time. 

2. Incorporating familiar elements like a map of the neighborhood and locally favored colors or fabrics into the waiting room design reduced patients’ perceived wait times, resulting in a 25% decrease in complaints. 

The lesson: Making patients feel more comfortable while waiting enhances their experience and encourages positive perceptions of time spent in the waiting room.

See healthcare waiting room furnishings here.

Waiting Room Furniture and Decor

You’ve measured and planned—there’s only one thing left to do: Furnish your space. 

Try to choose furniture and decor that matches your brand and cultivates the atmosphere you’re striving for. For example, sleek lines and minimalist artwork create a modern feel, while oversized furniture and ornate decorations are associated with luxury and elegance.

There’s also wear and tear to consider: If you have a high-traffic waiting room, choosing materials like metal or laminate will help your furniture look new for years to come. 

Of course you’ll need a reception desk, seating, and side tables, but don’t forget about decorative pieces: Artwork, rugs, and plants can add personality and make your space feel inviting.

Short on Time? Let the Pros Plan a Waiting Room Your Visitors Don’t Want to Leave

Patient rooms are some of the most important spaces in your healthcare facility. A well-planned patient room prioritizes patient health, safety, and comfort without sacrificing the all-important functionality and efficiency your medical staff needs to provide top-notch care. 

How can you make this ideal a reality? With thoughtful patient room design. 

Here’s a guide to patient room measurement and planning, including some pointers from expert firms in the healthcare design industry. 

6 Steps to Patient Room Measurement

Start your planning process by taking thorough measurements of each patient room. A clear understanding of square footage and other elements like window width can help you choose a layout that’s comfortable and functional for patients and providers. 

Here’s how to measure a patient room in 6 quick steps:

1. Make sure you have a drawing of the floor plan. You can get one from your leasing office, create one yourself, or use a tool like RoomSketcher. Don’t forget to include doorways and windows.

2. Next, measure the perimeter of each patient room and record the exact width of each wall on the floor plan. 

3. Measure the length and width of doors and windows and record measurements on the floor plan. 

4. Note other common patient room elements that may affect your space planning, such as sinks, emergency alert buttons, and emergency power backup outlets (typically marked in red). 

5. Record the placement of common features like standard electrical outlets, columns, breaker boxes, and HVAC control pads or vents.

6. Finally, measure the ceiling height and record it on your floor plan. 

That’s it—patient room measurement is done, and we’re on to the next step: planning.

4 Pointers for Patient Room Planning

Each patient room should be planned for maximum provider efficiency and patient comfort. Here are 4 crucial elements to consider while planning:

1. Designate patient and provider zones

For maximum efficiency and comfort, split the room into at least two “zones”—one designated for providers and one designated for patients. 

The patient zone should include an exam table and chairs. If the patient room will be used for longer stays, this zone may also include entry to a small bathroom, a television, a call button, and a rolling tray table for meals. Keeping patient-related items in close proximity can help prevent falls and injuries in patients with limited mobility.  

The provider zone should include the sink, supply storage, and unencumbered access to common equipment like blood pressure cuffs. Place the provider zone near the front of the room so medical staff can enter and exit with ease and perform their duties without being required to move around furniture or fixtures. Especially in emergency situations, efficiency is paramount. 

2. Plan for increased provider efficiency

While we’re on the topic of efficiency, let’s look at 2 meaningful changes healthcare architecture firm HMC Architects has integrated into their facility designs: 

1. The HMC Architects team found that nurses often struggle to reach items on the top shelves in patient rooms or supply closets. This problem can be easily remedied by placing essential equipment and supplies in lower locations or even installing shelving and cabinetry lower on the wall. Keep this in mind when planning your patient rooms. 

2. If space is limited, consider installing medical equipment in the ceiling. Ceiling-supported patient lifts and IV poles free up floor space and allow staff to move through the room more quickly. 

Both of these changes can improve functionality for providers and save precious seconds during an emergency. Keep efficiency top of mind as you plan—if there are layout or design changes you can make to improve efficiency, do so.

3. Choose furniture that’s up to the task

You’ll want to consider both form and function when choosing patient room furniture. The ideal furniture withstands wear, can be easily cleaned, and doesn’t foster bacteria growth. 

This means you should opt for acrylic solid surface or laminate materials for tables, counters, and desktops. 

When shopping for seating, look for PVC-free vinyl, polyurethane, or Crypton upholsteries—all of which can be easily wiped down and are resistant to staining and bacteria growth. For ultimate durability, metal frames will hold the most weight and hold up through years of heavy use.

Planning a waiting room too? See healthcare waiting room furnishings here.

4. Decorate with the patient experience in mind

After you’ve laid out all the functional elements of the room, think about how you can use design to foster a positive patient experience. Even minor adjustments to decor can have a lasting impact. 

For example, global architecture firm Gensler studied how design affects patient experience in waiting rooms and found that familiar decor improved patients’ perceptions of their waiting room experience and decreased complaints by 25%. Leverage this concept for patient rooms by incorporating familiar elements like a map of the neighborhood or locally favored colors and fabrics. 

Consider location too: It’s common for artwork to be hung above beds or exam tables—meaning patients typically can’t see it. Place art or other visually interesting elements where patients can enjoy them. 

If your patient rooms have windows, offer patients a view whenever possible. Adjusting the angle of the bed so patients can look out the window can boost their mood and improve their overall experience. 

Short on Time? Let the Pros Plan Your Patient Room

The best way to improve your team’s productivity may have nothing to do with motivational exercises or training activities. Productivity research studies show that office furniture and design have a profound impact on employee health, productivity, and performance. 

A successful office leverages furniture and design to uphold both form and function by:

• Creating a layout that encourages focus, collaboration, and strong communication

• Investing in ergonomically sound furniture to sustain employee health and productivity

• Reducing noise to minimize distractions and maintain strong performance

Let’s take a tour of how office furniture and design affect productivity.

Ergonomics Play a Key Role in Employee Health and Productivity

Aches, pains, and eye strain may be slowing you down more than you realize. Ergonomics can affect vision, musculoskeletal health, energy levels, productivity, and even overall company performance. 

Musculoskeletal disorders are responsible for 1/3 of work injuries or illnesses, many of which are due to poor ergonomics. Neck, back, and upper-extremity issues make up 27% of all workers’ compensation claims in Washington State, with 36% of the claims resulting in “4 or more lost work days and more than 43% of all costs.” And a small study of Iranian workers found that neck, lower back, or thigh pain resulted in fatigue and correlated with decreased concentration and productivity. 

Sitting for long periods isn’t doing you any favors either—it’s been linked to cardiovascular conditions, spinal issues, obesity, and even cancer. 

Ergonomically Sound Workstations Save Millions in Healthcare Costs and Lost Productivity

Luckily, maintaining good ergonomics is easier than you think. A workstation that keeps your body supported, aligned, and periodically moving throughout the day can alleviate everything from carpal tunnel to fatigue to blood clots. 

A review of 250 ergonomic studies by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries found that ergonomic workstations reduced lost workdays by 75% and reduced workers’ compensation costs by 68%.

The above review highlighted a landmark rollout of redesigned workstations for Blue Cross corporate employees, which saved the company a whopping $1 million in insurance claims. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island followed suit a few years later and had equally impressive results: It reduced workers comp costs by 89% in a single year.

Here are some quick pointers for setting up an ergonomically sound workstation. 

• Protect your well-being with ergonomic furniture and accessories: Switch to an adjustable-height desk so you can alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day (experts say this is ideal for longevity and productivity). For maximum comfort while sitting, consider investing in a chair with a headrest or lumbar support. And don’t forget smaller items like wrist supports, under-desk mats, monitor stands, or eye-friendly lighting—which can alleviate many common work-related ailments.

• Maintain healthy alignment to reduce musculoskeletal strain: Keep your back straight, pull your shoulders slightly back, and align your ears over your shoulders to maintain good posture. When working at a desk, your forearms should be at desk height and parallel to the desk, ideally with elbows at a 90–100 degree angle. When seated, your feet should firmly touch the floor, and your knees should be bent at 90 degrees. 

• Avoid neck and eye strain by correctly positioning your monitor: When using a single monitor, it should be 18–28” away, directly in front of your face at eye level. When using a dual monitor setup, place the primary monitor 18–28” away, directly in front of your face, and place the second monitor on the side with the dominant eye. The inner edges of the monitors should be touching so they form a concave position around you. 

Office Layouts Can Affect Communication and Collaboration

Investing in ergonomically sound furniture is a strong play for productivity—but where you place that furniture also affects performance.

The ideal workplace offers space for both uninterrupted individual work and vigorous collaboration. The rising popularity of open offices in recent years has led many to believe they foster unparalleled communication—but the jury’s still out on whether the open office fosters good communication. A study of 2 Fortune 500 companies published in Harvard Business Review found that “face-to-face interactions dropped by roughly 70% after the firms transitioned to open offices, while electronic interactions increased to compensate.” Less talking and more Slacking is probably not the productivity boost you’re hoping for, huh?  

Encourage collaboration by inviting employees to gather in dedicated communal spaces where they can chat freely or work through projects together. Provide employees with everything they may need to brainstorm or share ideas: a few couches or chairs grouped together, a whiteboard and markers, a projector screen, and an activity table. 

Balance these communal spaces by offering dedicated quiet areas where employees can focus without interruption when it’s time to execute individually. House these workstations in low-traffic areas and equip them with acoustic panels to maximize peace and quiet. You can also create a more intimate feel and lessen noise travel or visual distractions by incorporating decorative elements like screened panels or tall plants. 

Background Noise Is a Productivity Killer

One of the simplest threats to productivity is distraction. Namely, noise. The open floor plans and sprawling spaces that are popular in many modern offices bring a downside: Sound travels more easily. 

All the nonstop buzz can be draining for employees (especially for introverts). This lessens productivity and efficiency—and can increase frustration for employees whose focus is interrupted. 

Thoughtful office design can help. Creating designated areas for collaboration or individual focus is a good start, but don’t stop there: Incorporate design elements that can reduce sound travel. Acoustic panels, small dividers, decorative screens, tapestries, rugs, and even plants can dampen noise. Or consider installing thick glass walls, which will cut down on sound travel while still visually extending the space. 

Position Your Furniture—and Your Team—for Better Productivity

If you want your team to be successful, you’ve got to give them a leg up—sometimes literally. Thoughtful furniture and design can improve the health, productivity, and overall performance of your team. Get started by connecting with our free office design services team or browsing our complete collection of office decor. 

Quick, are you standing while reading this? If you’re sitting, you may be putting your health at risk. 

Medical experts around the globe agree that prolonged sitting is unhealthy. The Mayo Clinic notes that sitting for long periods has been linked to obesity and a cluster of illnesses often referred to as metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess fat around the waist, and unhealthy cholesterol or triglyceride levels. And metabolic syndrome increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Makes you want to stand up, doesn’t it? 

Enter the standing desk. Using a standing desk has been linked to longer life spans, fewer health complications, less pain, better job performance, and better moods—a substantial gain from a piece of furniture that only costs a few hundred bucks and will last you for many years to come. 

Here’s a quick look at the benefits of using a standing desk. 

4 Science-Backed Standing Desk Benefits 

1. Sitting Less Can Help You Live Longer

Let’s start with the perkiest perk: The less you sit, the longer you may live. 

A sedentary lifestyle doubles your risk of premature death. The correlation between sedentary time and mortality increases on a sliding scale, with risk becoming more pronounced at 7.5, 9, 10, or 12 sedentary hours each day—and “a statistically significantly higher risk of death” has been observed in people who are sedentary for 9.5 or more hours each day. 

You can reduce this risk by introducing more standing and movement into your daily routine—and you don’t need to become a marathon runner to reap the results. The National Institute for Health and Care Research in Wales notes that even “light intensity physical activity, such as walking, cooking, or gardening” can reduce your risk of early death, and an extensive UK study reveals that just 4.4 minutes of vigorous exercise per day is associated with a reduced risk of cancer mortality. 

Stand and move as often as you can until it becomes part of your daily routine. A body in motion tends to stay in motion, and a body on its feet tends to stay on its feet. 

2. Sitting Less Can Reduce Chronic Health Risks

The correlation between sitting for long periods and early mortality makes sense—because the more time you spend sedentary, the more you increase your risk of obesity, spinal issues, and cardiovascular conditions like heart disease.  

The simplest way to reduce these risks? Get on your feet. A study published by the American Diabetes Association in 2016 found that breaking up sitting with short bouts of standing or walking improved glucose and insulin levels in women at high risk for type 2 diabetes. 

3. Standing Can Reduce Aches and Pains

Sitting often leads to slouching. And slouching leads to abdominal cramps and neck, shoulder, back, and hip pain. Ouch. 

It’s not surprising that all these aches and pains can make you feel lousy: A small study of Iranian workers found that discomfort or pain in the neck, lower back, and thighs resulted in fatigue and correlated with decreased concentration and productivity.

Maintaining good ergonomics and periodically standing during the workday can alleviate joint pressure and reduce discomfort. A 12-month study of sit-stand desk use among Japanese workers found that workers who sat less experienced less neck and back pain, including fewer reports of “lower back problems [that] prevented them from carrying out normal activities.” The study praised the “effectiveness of a sit-stand desk in reducing sedentary behavior and improving workers’ health and productivity.”

4. Standing Can Boost Performance and Well-Being

The study of Japanese workers mentioned above revealed a few more long-term positive benefits when measuring outcomes at 6 and 12 months: Improved work engagement, job performance, and recovery from occupational fatigue were consistently observed in sit-stand desk users.

When study participants were asked to assess their own performance, they reported improvements in as little as 4 weeks. They also reported reduced anxiety at the 6- and 12-month marks. 

A UK study found similar results for adjustable-height desk users over a period of 12 months, noting small improvements in stress, well-being, and energy in participants who stood more at work. The study highlighted that “the addition of a height-adjustable desk was found to be threefold more effective” than other measures to encourage more standing time. 

Take a Stand for Your Health and Well-Being

It’s pretty cool that a single piece of furniture can have so much positive impact on your health and well-being, especially when you make it part of your daily routine. 

If you’re ready to sit less and swap out your old-school desk for a standing desk, we’ve got a few resources for you: 

• A step-by-step guide to help you get office furniture requests approved

• All the details about using a home office stipend to cover the cost of a standing desk

• A full digital catalog of our standing desks

Ah, the conference room. It’s the space where the board makes big decisions, creatives collaborate to find their next big idea, or sales reps impress that new client. However you use your conference room, smart planning and design are key to creating a space that supports your team. 

Here are 6 pro tips to help you design a better conference room:

1. Make Sure You’ve Got Enough Space for Comfortable Seating

Ever had to sit elbow-to-elbow with the guy in Finance who wears too much cologne because the conference room wasn’t big enough to accommodate everyone? Don’t put someone else in that position. Before you plan and design your conference room, determine how much space you’re working with.  

The rule of thumb for calculating conference room space is 50 square feet plus 25 square feet per seated person. So if you provide seating for 6 people, you’ll need at least 200 square feet to comfortably accommodate all participants. 

Once you know how much space you have, you can determine how much seating you can provide and whether you can include additional furniture like a side table (great for serving buffet-style meals or snacks during long meetings!) or lectern.

Check out our office space square footage guide for more help. 

2. Design for Your Conference Room’s Primary Use

Yes, we get that you’ll be holding meetings in the conference room—but what kind of meetings? Will your business development team use the room to present to clients? Will your creative team use it to collaborate? Or will your executive team host monthly board meetings there? 

These types of meetings all have very different needs, and those needs may dictate different conference room setups. 

If you anticipate lots of presentations, you may want to shift seating toward one end of the conference room and place a large screen at the other end so all participants can easily follow along. If you envision the room as a heavily collaborative space, you’ll want to include a few large whiteboards to facilitate some hearty conversations. 

Make sure to choose furniture and decor that cultivates the atmosphere you’re striving for. For example, an expansive table and executive-style chairs add an air of elegance for board meetings, whereas a round table and colorful artwork can bring a more creative, collaborative feel to a conference room. 

3. Keep Remote Participants Included and Engaged

Having at least a few remote participants is now common for meetings, but including them can be difficult if you don’t have the right hardware setup. When installing videoconferencing equipment, place screens and speakers where participants can easily be seen and heard. Give the videoconferencing equipment a few test runs before completing the install so you can easily adjust if needed. 

Placement isn’t everything, though. When it comes to video, color is also a consideration. Business IT provider LookingPoint says white walls or tables can increase glare on screens while neutral colors like gray can enhance color appearance. Keep this in mind when making design choices.

If you’re seeking a simple videoconferencing solution, invest in a media table that features built-in teleconferencing features so you can easily ensure all participants are seen and heard. 

4. Provide Access for Employees With Special Needs

Conference room setups can often be cumbersome for team members who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, which can lead to feelings of frustration, embarrassment, or exclusion. Thoughtful layout and design can ensure easy access for all your team members, including those who may have physical challenges. 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines specify a series of measurements that give wheelchair users the space they need to move comfortably through the office. Make sure your conference room setup adheres to these guidelines:

• Doorways and paths should be at least 36” wide.

• Inside a room, a space of at least 60” is needed to comfortably turn a wheelchair. 

• Desks and tables should have a vertical clearance of at least 27” and feature at least 30” of unobstructed width so a wheelchair can fit underneath.

• Top surfaces of desks or tables should be 28–34” high for comfortable use.

Your design choices can also improve access. For example, a conference room table with a base of slim, straight column legs provides better wheelchair access than a trestle-style base, which protrudes underneath the table.

5. Be Thoughtful About Privacy and Acoustics

If confidentiality is a concern, include a few elements that can preserve privacy without sacrificing design. 

To lessen external visibility into a conference room with glass walls, consider frosting a portion of the glass or installing a few tall decorative planters along the length of the wall. To lessen sound travel, equip your conference room with acoustic panels, rugs, or tapestries. 

6. Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches

Keep participants focused on the task at hand by providing everything they may need for a fruitful conversation. Keep pens, notepads, whiteboard markers, and water bottles stocked and easily accessible. Bonus points for including a few spare laptop chargers. 

And don’t overlook the decorative pieces like artwork, rugs, and lamps that can “finish” the room so it feels polished and inviting. 

Meetings Never Looked Better

Now that you’re equipped with some conference room pointers, it’s time to design. Start with our guides to conference room tables and seating, or browse our complete collection of conference room furniture. 

In September, the largest worldwide trial for a 4 day work week occurred in the United Kingdom. That means that thousands of workers across the UK worked 4 days (32 hours) while maintaining the same pay.

The data from the UK program is in. Four Day Week Global, an advocacy group, has released a report summarizing the findings from companies that adopted 4 day work weeks in the September trial. 

We understand that studies like these provide helpful numbers when evaluating the many pros and cons of adopting a similar approach, so we’re distilling everything you need to know about the 4 day work week data. 

Primary Takeaways From the 4 Day Work Week Report

• 92% of organizations and companies are continuing their 4 day weeks.

• Productivity, business performance, and revenue were positively impacted.

• 71% of employees had reduced levels of burnout at the end of the trial.

• Attrition reduced. 

4 Day Wins

The report data for the 4 day work week is overwhelmingly positive. Here is the high-level executive summary of what you need to know about the key wins for companies and organizations that participated in the 4 day work week pilot program. 

Employer-Centric Data From the 4 Day Work Week Trial

• Revenue rose by 1.4% on average over the trial. 

• Business performance and productivity scored 7.5/10 on 2 different scales. 

• Companies rated their overall experience of the trial an 8.3/10. 

• Compared to a period from similar years, organizations reported a 35%+ increase in revenue. 

• Organizations experienced a -57% reduction in the number of employees leaving. 

Employee-Centric Data From the 4 Day Work Week Trial

• 90% of employees said they “definitely want to continue” the 4 day work week.

• 55% of employees reported an increase in their ability at work.

• 15% said “no amount of money” would make them accept a 5 day schedule at their next job.

Remaining Questions for the 4 Day Work Week

While the results from  4 Day Week Global’s report are overwhelmingly positive, there are still some remaining questions that business leaders need to consider before we all go hog wild adopting a 4 day work week. 

How much of the positive data is due to novelty?

The UK’s pilot program lasted only 90 days. It is possible that initial gains could be due to employee excitement over the novelty of the project. Long-term data is still needed to determine if the gains will be sustained. 

How much of a role did culture play in the program’s success?

What works for one culture may not work for another. Researchers need to consider what role culture plays in the success of the UK’s 4 day work week trials. To date, 4 Day Work Week Global has only conducted tests in English-speaking countries.

Is there variation in results by industry?

One of the main questions we’ve found ourselves asking is, “how does the data look when you break participating companies down by industry?” Does tech look the same as government? Does the effect of knowledge worker performance look the same as employees whose work is more hourly-focused (like factory and customer service workers)?

What Was the UK’s 4 Day Work Week Program?

Sixty-one (61) companies in the UK participated in a pilot program, adopting a 4 day work week. The test program took place from September through December 2022. In the 4 day program, employees maintained the same salary but adopted a 4 day (32 hour) work schedule each week. 

The program was organized and run by 4 Day Week Global in partnership with the UK’s 4 Day Week Campaign and Autonomy, a think tank. 

Who Led the UK’s 4 Day Week Research?

Professors Juliet Schor and Wen Fan of Boston College and Dr. David Frayne and Prof. Brendan Burchell of Cambridge University led the research. 

What Countries Have a 4 Day Work Week?

Countries that have participated in 4 day work week trials include the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 

What’s Next?

One report does not make for a mandate. Instead, this data will likely be one of many consideration points that business leaders grapple with as we continue to imagine the future of work. Every business needs to make decisions based on its specific situation—its goals, its challenges, its culture, and its workforce. 

One thing is for sure: the amount of time that employees spend in the office impacts how you should plan the space. As more teams transition to long-term hybrid work, we’re seeing an increase in collaboration spaces. 

Looking for inspiration for how to plan your space in 2023? Check out these resources. 

• The Power of Spaces

• What’s the Point of the Office in 2023?

• How to Design for Introverts and Extroverts

Need planning guides? Measurement guides? Furniture guides? We’ve got you covered on the blog. 

Gen Z has arrived, bringing a pragmatic, inclusive, and collaborative future focus to the workplace. Business leaders will need to understand many things about this unique generation in order to implement strategic changes that attract and retain Gen Z talent.

Who Is Gen Z?

Gen Z refers to anyone born between 1997 and 2012. They are also known as the Homeland generation or Gen Edge. Gen Z is the youngest generation currently in the workforce, a number that grows by roughly 4.5 million each year. By 2030, Gen Z will make up one-third of all workers. 

This group of resourceful problem solvers has much to offer employers due to their generationally unique experiences, traits, and values. They are realistic and resilient. As speaker Amy Lynch describes them, “Zs are builders and fixers, a generation adept at hacking life. If they don't have a solution, they find one. If they can't find one, they make one.”

Gen Z is an adaptive generation, like the Silent Generation born between 1925 and 1942, and is known to value the act of making something. What their great-grandparents referred to as tinkering, Zs may now know as hacking. Their respect for creating has helped grow the hands-on Maker or DIY movement and aesthetic trends like Cottagecore that lift up staples of simple living such as gardening, baking bread, and textile making.

9 Things to Know About Gen Z in the Workplace:

1. Gen Z Expects Quality DEI: Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are no longer a workplace preference for Gen Z. DEI has become a baseline requirement for those entering the workforce. Gen Z holds the most intrinsic diversity within any American generation.

With 49% of zoomers (members of Gen Z) identifying as non-white and 22% identifying as LGBTQ+, Gen Z has grown up recognizing their identities as deeply intersectional. That recognition continues to grow. Over the past few years, nearly half of Gen Z felt their race, gender, and/or sexuality had become an increasingly important part of their identity. Gen Z expects workplace conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion to be nuanced and thoughtful.

2. Gen Z Has a Future Impact Focus

Gen Z is significantly future-focused, with a top-ranking attitude that sets them apart from all previous generations. The majority actively consider what their future will hold. Their future focus is both individual and global, resulting in the climate crisis weighing heavily on Gen Z. Climate change is a core concern of this generation, and 9 out of 10 take measures to lower their environmental impact.

The vast majority (85–89%) of Gen Z say they want to work for a company with a mission that actively includes them. Dave MacLeod, ThoughtExchange's CEO and founder, believes, “Leaders who fail to rapidly shift their organizations into a force for good or include their people in figuring out just how to do that will end up becoming the Blockbusters of the business world.”

3. Compensation Is an Issue of Survival for Gen Z

Cost of living is at the very top of Gen Z’s list of concerns. Nearly half (46%) of Gen Z live paycheck to paycheck. They worry they won't be able to cover their expenses based on their primary job, resulting in 43% taking on a second job.

“They’re a really realistic generation,” Farah Mohiuddin, Forage customer success manager and early talent expert, says. “They grew up with a lot of economic uncertainty, and they’ve seen what millennials have gone through with the student debt crisis. They realize that they need to make money. They’re not talking about buying a house—they just want to survive.”

4. Work/Life Balance Is Imperative to Gen Z

Data collected by Deloitte revealed that 46% of Gen Z feel nearly constant stress, while almost half feel burned out due to their workload. Most respondents believe that employers are not doing enough to address these concerns and take preventative steps, resulting in burnout being a large contributor to employers’ struggle to retain Gen Z employees. 

Gen Z demographics collected by Collage Group explored the pressure they feel, finding 52% feel overwhelmed by meeting the expectations of others, and 49% feel their success is contingent on sacrificing areas of their life that are important to them.

5. Gen Z Lives at the Intersection of Autonomy and Socialization

Gen Z was raised with digital platforms that created abundant access to discourse and collaboration. This normalization of access to discourse has led Gen Z to consider being heard a fundamental right instead of a reward to be earned. Many entered the workforce able to engage in debate with individuals on all levels of the corporate structure hierarchy instead of starting out as quiet observers.

Gen Z approaches growth by prioritizing self-reliant problem solving yet still appreciates the opportunity to personally connect with coworkers. While they are comfortable communicating primarily through digital forums and applications, it is also important to plan opportunities for social interactions and/or strategy conversations to foster face-to-face interaction.

Conflict management, communication, and resolution are key areas for mentorship and increasing people skills. In-person meetings are especially important when handling difficult conversations, yet many in Gen Z are accustomed to primarily engaging in conflict through text messaging. 

6. Gen Z Needs Their Mentors to Provide Authentic, Holistic, and Practical Value

Gen Z values mentors and managers who respect their autonomy while taking a genuine interest in their personal and professional development. They want to feel included, valued, and empowered. Managing Gen Z workers requires clear communication of expectations to give them the independence needed for project ownership. Gallup’s employee engagement research links 70% of the variance in team engagement solely to the manager, meaning investments in personable and effective managers committed to the growth and success of the whole person will likely have noticeable impacts. 

7. Gen Z Prioritizes the Development of Varied Skills Over Specialization

This generation of makers appreciates the opportunity to grow a variety of skill sets over a singular expertise. Gen Z is also less motivated by job titles—they prefer to have a real stake in the company’s success by owning projects from start to finish. Multipart project ownership allows Gen Z to explore and expand several areas of expertise concurrently.

8. Design Aesthetic in the Workplace Matters to Gen Z

Gen Z has grown up with curated images on social media in an era when workspaces such as Apple stores and tech startups present themselves as an experience. The Gen Z desire for work/life balance extends to design aesthetics, including amenities such as workplace meditation spaces and access to healthy food. 

You can also address Gen Z’s commitment to mental health in part through workplace outdoor spaces and opportunities for fresh air as well as indoor plants. The Journal of Experimental Psychology found that the presence of indoor plants can increase feelings of well-being by 40%. Biophilic design elements are also correlated with higher productivity and lower absenteeism.

9. Technology Is Fully Integrated Into the Lives of Gen Z

For Gen Z, technology isn’t just a tool to be used. Gen Z wants technology that is current, relevant, and aesthetically pleasing. They are unique from other generations in that they have never known a time without the internet. As the first generation known as digital natives, Gen Z is wired to turn to technology to solve problems. Top priorities for Gen Z workplace technology include ease of mobility and the freedom to choose technology that matches their preferences.

Ah, the private office. It’s one of the work perks many of us love most—a place to focus without distraction or disruption. And—let’s be real—a private office feels like an upgrade: There’s none of that drab cubicle lighting, and you can shut your door when Jessica from Accounting microwaves fish again. 

But how should you set up your space so it meets your needs? Here’s a quick guide to measuring, selecting furniture, and planning so you can design your ideal private office.

1. Measure Your Private Office the Right Way

Before you can plan your space, you’ve got to know what you’re working with. And estimating square footage isn’t enough: If you don’t measure correctly, you may end up choosing ill-fitting furniture or arranging your space in a way that feels cramped and uncomfortable.

Here’s how to make sure you’ve got all the measurements and notes you need to plan your ideal private office:

1. Make sure you’ve got a drawing of the floor plan. You can obtain this from your leasing office, create one yourself, or use a tool like RoomSketcher. Don’t forget to include doorways and windows.

2. Next, measure the perimeter of the room, noting the exact width of each wall on the floor plan. 

3. Measure the length and width of doors and windows, then note your findings on the floor plan. 

4. Record other elements you may need to consider when planning your space. This includes electrical outlets, columns, breaker boxes, and HVAC control pads or vents. 

5. Finally, measure the ceiling height and note it on your floor plan. 

That’s it—you’re done measuring and you’ve created a thorough floor plan to guide you through planning your space.

2. Choose Furniture That Fits Your Needs

You’ve got a clear understanding of your private office space. Now it’s time to determine how you’ll fill it. 

Start with your desk and chair since you’ll use these 2 pieces of furniture the most. Think about your needs and preferences to narrow down your options and make shopping feel manageable. For example, do you want the additional surface area an L-shaped desk can give you, or do you want to make a statement with a bold executive desk? Are you interested in a more classic ergonomic chair, or do you have your sights set on a kneeling chair? 

Consider whether you need a bookcase or file cabinet for storage, a whiteboard for important notes and brainstorming, or a lamp to provide more comfortable lighting than standard fluorescent fixtures. And don’t forget about visitors: If you have meetings in your office, you’ll want a few chairs or a small sofa and perhaps a side table. 

Check out our digital catalogs or buying guides to find all the furniture and fixtures you need.

3. Plan Your Space for Optimum Comfort and Performance

The ideal private office is comfortable, easy to work in, and easy to navigate. Here are some helpful pointers for planning your space.

Overall, aim to arrange your office in a way that supports your daily routines and activities. If you often work on confidential documents, make sure your computer monitor isn’t easily visible to passersby. If you have lots of visitors in your office, guest seating should be easily accessible. And so on…

Build in convenience while you’re planning: Keep the items you use most within arm’s reach so you’re not forced to move around the room to complete tasks. Placing your printer on a return or housing your files in an under-desk file cabinet can prevent unnecessary hassle and protect your focus.

It’s not all about logistics, though—physical comfort is crucial for maintaining your health, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. If you’ve got a window, arrange your desk so you can look out the window. This allows you to enjoy the view, relax your eyes periodically, and take advantage of natural light. Speaking of light, ensure your computer monitor is located away from glares or harsh lighting, which often cause eye strain and headaches. 

One of the benefits of a private office is making it your own. Add artwork, a cozy rug, your favorite plants, family photos, or other decorative elements to leave your personal touch. 

Finally, make sure your space is safe: Avoid tripping hazards by tacking down rugs and using extension cords instead of dragging cords across walkways. Ensure tall, heavy furniture items are secured against the wall. And don’t block breaker boxes or HVAC control pads and vents.

Short on Time? Let the Pros Plan Your Private Office

Measuring, planning, and furnishing your private office is easy when you’ve got our guide—but it can take a little time. If you don’t want to add anything else to your to-do list, we can help. 

Quick, think about your favorite chair. It’s probably pretty comfortable, right? Does it make your body feel supported? Can you happily sit in it for hours without fidgeting?

Chances are, your favorite chair isn’t your desk chair. That’s because most of us will spend a considerable amount of time shopping around for a comfortable couch or armchair yet completely overlook the importance of a good desk chair, which we spend a full 40 hours a week in.

The problem is: A crummy desk chair isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s also bad for your health.

That Uncomfortable Desk Chair Is Hurting Your Health

A desk chair that doesn’t fit your body does much more than give you a flat, sore rear end. Sitting incorrectly or slouching causes fatigue, back pain, neck pain, joint issues, abdominal cramps, digestive issues, and blood clots. 

Musculoskeletal disorders are responsible for 1/3 of work injuries or illnesses, many of which are due to poor ergonomics. These health complications result in recurring physical strain, additional mental stress, higher healthcare costs, and even lower job performance. 

In Washington, neck, back, and upper-extremity issues make up 27% of all workers’ compensation claims, and “36% of the claims result in 4 or more lost work days and more than 43% of all costs.” And a small study of Iranian workers found that discomfort or pain in the neck, lower back, and thighs resulted in fatigue and correlated with decreased concentration and productivity.

It’s time for a new chair. 

3 Ways Ergonomic Chairs Support Better Health

Ergonomic chairs are designed to support the natural alignment of your body, remove pressure from your joints, and improve your posture—all benefits that enable you to work comfortably and stay healthy. 

Here are 3 big benefits you get when you switch to an ergonomic desk chair:

1. Reducing Back Pain and Injuries

Sitting correctly is a crucial factor in preventing or reducing the back pain experienced by 50–80% of Americans. 

Your pelvis should be flat when seated, tilting neither forward nor back. When seated correctly, this creates a small arch in your lower back. 

But it’s common for desk workers to engage in “sacral sitting,” which is sitting with the pelvis tilted backward. This puts weight on the sacrum and causes the lumbar spine to flex, which in turn puts pressure on the lumbar discs and strains the lower back muscles, resulting in lower back pain and sometimes compressed or bulging discs.

Ergonomic chairs safeguard you from tilting your pelvis so you sit comfortably and correctly with both pelvis and spine aligned. Typically, the lower back of an ergonomic chair curves forward slightly to keep your lumbar spine supported while you work, even if you’re in the chair for several hours.

2. Reducing Neck and Shoulder Pain

Another effect of sacral sitting is the hunched, C-shaped posture we’re all familiar with: shoulders slumped in front of the body and neck jutting forward. 

This is because tilting the pelvis back—especially while peering at a monitor in front of us—causes the shoulders to roll forward and the shoulder blades to slide away from the thoracic spine, pushing the head forward into a protracted position and jutting the chin upward.

Did you know the average 12-pound head jutting forward can put as much as 40 pounds of pressure on the neck and spine? No wonder desk workers get neck pain! This misalignment of the upper body can also lessen respiratory muscle strength, reducing lung capacity by up to 30%. Other common effects include shoulder pain, arm fatigue, headaches, and, over time, a permanent hunchback-like posture. 

Ergonomic chairs combat all this slouching by offering lumbar support to keep the pelvis and spine in place, adjustable armrests to keep the shoulders better aligned, and headrests to reduce pressure on the neck. Let your chair hold up that 12-pound head. 

3. Improving Core Muscle Strength

Kneeling chairs are quickly gaining popularity, and for good reason. 

Originally called a Balans (Dutch for “balance”) chair, a kneeling chair shifts the body forward so weight is resting on the shins in a kneeling position, which removes substantial pressure from the back, hips, and rear end. 

Since there’s no back piece on most kneeling chairs, the core and back muscles are forced to activate to maintain posture throughout the workday, which gradually strengthens them and reinforces stronger body alignment.

But even kneeling chairs with back pieces have ergonomic perks: Since the hips and torso are held at a more open angle (roughly 110°) than traditional sitting (90°), the reduced pressure in these areas lessens the occurrence of stiffness, pain, and long-term weakness. 

What to Look for in an Ergonomic Chair

Ready to upgrade your crummy desk chair to a healthier seating situation? Make sure you choose an ergonomic chair that offers everything you need to maintain correct posture, avoid aches and pains, and ward off long-term injuries and illnesses. 

Here are 5 crucial features to look for when shopping for an ergonomic chair: 

1. Lumbar support to help you maintain alignment while sitting

2. A seat that tilts so you can find comfortable pelvic positioning

3. An adjustable-height seat so you can rest your feet flat on the floor

4. Adjustable-height chair arms so you can reduce shoulder strain and arm fatigue

5. A headrest that will support your neck

A successful group meeting begins with a successful group space in which to meet. When people are uncomfortable, they are prone to making quicker decisions in order to end their discomfort. This reasoning is a large part of why our judicial system goes to great lengths to avoid sequestering juries. Feeling trapped in a crowded room is a poor use of valuable meeting time with your organization's key players.

Knowing how to measure, space, and choose the right table size for the room is essential when designing a conference room. Additional creature comforts relating to temperature and amenities can help prepare a conference room for any meeting.

How to Measure a Conference Room: 

• Sketch a floor plan of the room. The drawing does not have to be perfectly scaled. However, the more accurate it is, the more useful for planning the space. Include all windows, doorways, and areas involved in your project. 

• Measure the room. You will need to measure each individual side of the room’s perimeter. Work your way around the room’s perimeter with a measuring tape, recording the length of each side of the room.

• Measure the length and width of doors, fixtures, and windows. Record the length and width of any doors or windows on your drawing, as well as any clearance needed for doors and windows to open fully. When measuring, first measure the width of the door or window. Then measure from the edge of the window to a perpendicular wall.

• Add electrical outlets. Mark your outlets for the space on the floor plan. For outlets located in places other than a wall, measure from the nearest perpendicular wall to the outlet and record the measurement on the floor plan. Add measurements for breaker boxes, columns, or any other unmovable objects to the floor plan.

• Measure the height of the ceiling. Record this measurement in the margin of the floor plan.

Design Standards for Conference Room Spacing:

Conference Table Seating:

• 30″ side-to-side minimum of personal space per chair

• 36” minimum of personal space per chair if participants are expected to have computers or other personal materials

• 42” minimum of personal space per chair when social distancing protocols are in place

Visual Displays:

• 56″ between the table and visual display board

  • TV or monitor viewing at 30 to 45 degrees from the center of the screen

  • 24″ to 30″ minimum clearance for presenting material on a wall while standing

Cabinets and Storage:

• 36″ minimum clearance for lower cabinets, shelves, bookcases, and other furniture that require bending to access

• 72″ between table and wall for 24″-deep storage towers and credenzas

Conference Room Design Standards for Table-to-Room Size Ratio

Accessible Table-to-Room Size Ratio: 

• 68” of space to allow a wheelchair to pass between the wall and back of the chairs 

• 32″ of space to allow someone to stand up from the table 

• 36” of space for a wheelchair-accessible path between the chair back and the wall

Comfortable Table-to-Room Size Ratio:

• 56″ of space to walk between the wall and chair back

• 32″ of space to allow someone to stand up from the table

• 24″ walking path between the chair back and the wall

Minimum Table-to-Room Size Ratio: 

• Minimum 48″ to walk sideways between wall and chair back

• 32″ of space to allow someone to stand up from the table

• 16″ sideways walking path between the chair back and the wall

Choose a Conference Table to Fit Your Room:

4–6 Seats

• Table Size: 72″ (6′) L x 48″ (4’) W

  • Accessible Room Size: 17’ 4” x 15’ 4” 

  • Comfortable Room Size: 15′ 4″ x 13′ 4″

  • Minimum Room Size: 14′ x 12′

• Table Size: 84″ (7′) L x 48″ (4’) W

  • Accessible Room Size: 18’ 4” x 15’ 4”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 16′ 4″ x 13′ 4″

  • Minimum Room Size: 15′ x 12′

6–8 Seats

• Table Size: 96″ (8′) L x 48″ (4’) W

  • Accessible Room Size: 19’ 4” x 15’ 4”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 17′ 4″ x 13′ 4″

  • Minimum Room Size: 16′ x 12′

8–10 Seats

• Table Size: 120″ (10′) L x 48″ (4’) W

  • Accessible Room Size: 21’ 4” x 15’ 4”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 19′ 4″ x 13′ 4″

  • Minimum Room Size: 18′ x 12′

• Table Size: 120″ (10′) L x 58″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 21’.4” x 16’ 2”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 19′ 4″ x 14′ 2″

  • Minimum Room Size: 18′ x 12′ 10″

10–12 Seats

• Table Size: 144″ (12′) L x 48″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 23’ 4” x 15’ 4”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 21′ 4″ x 13′ 4″

  • Minimum Room Size: 20′ x 12′

• Table Size: 150″ (12.5′) L x 48″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 23’ 10” x 15’ 4”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 21′ 10″ x 13′ 4″

  • Minimum Room Size: 21′ x 12′

• Table Size: 144″ (12′) L x 58″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 23’ 4” x 16’ 2”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 21′ 4″ x 14′ 2″

  • Minimum Room Size: 20′ x 12′ 10″

• Table Size: 150″ (12.5′) L x 58″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 25’ 4” x 16’ 2”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 22′ 4″ x 14′ 2″

  • Minimum Room Size: 21′ x 12′ 10″

12–14 Seats

• Table Size: 168″ (14′) L x 48″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 25’ 4” x 15’ 4”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 23′ 4″ x 13′ 4″

  • Minimum Room Size: 22′ x 12

• Table Size: 168″ (14′) L x 58″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 25’ 4” x 16’ 2”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 23′ 4″ x 14′ 2″

  • Minimum Room Size: 22 x 12′ 10″

• Table Size: 180″ (15′) L x 58″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 26’ 4” x 16’ 2”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 24′ 4″ x 14′ 2″

  • Minimum Room Size: 23′ x 12′ 10″

14–16 Seats

• Table Size: 192″ (16′) L x 58″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 27’ 4” x 16’ 2”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 25′ 4″ x 14′ 2″

  • Minimum Room Size: 24′ x 12′ 10″

18–20 Seats

• Table Size: 240″ (20′) L x 58″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 31’ 4” x 16’ 2”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 29′ 4″ x 14′ 2″

  • Minimum Room Size: 28′ x 12′ 10″

22–24 Seats

• Table Size: 288″ (24′) L x 58″ W

  • Accessible Room Size: 35’ 4” x 16’ 2”

  • Comfortable Room Size: 33′ 4″ x 14′ 2″

  • Minimum Room Size: 32′ x 12′ 10″

Temperature and Amenities

Each human added to your conference room will raise the temperature in the room by some amount. Large windows can also account for temperature swings from morning to afternoon. Having temperature-regulating window coverings can be very beneficial. 

Having ice water, coffee, and tea on hand in the conference room can help people regulate their internal temperatures when the room temperature fluctuates. Having hand sanitizer, lotion, tissues, allergy-free snacks, and headache medications easily accessible in the conference room can also help keep your guests comfortable and ready to tackle anything.

Growth is a hallmark of success. Reaching our full potential requires us to stretch outside our comfort zones, comprehend new concepts, leverage new skills, and overcome countless challenges. 

Easier said than done—but having a growth mindset can bolster your success. In fact, if you don’t have a growth mindset, your mind may be your biggest obstacle.

Here’s a look at how the growth mindset contributes to achievement and how you can start cultivating your own.

What Is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is the perspective that skills, knowledge, and intelligence can be learned or improved through effort. Therefore, our capabilities are malleable rather than static.

Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist and researcher who was the first to coin the term, noted how a growth mindset reinforces a sense of possibility: “Although people may differ in every which way in their initial talents and aptitudes, interests, or temperaments, everyone can change and grow through application and experience.”

Since Dweck pioneered modern conversations about growth mindset more than 20 years ago, the concept has been embraced by therapists, leaders, coaches, and athletes around the world. Acclaimed CEO Satya Nadella has spent the past few years instilling a “learn-it-all” culture at Microsoft because he believes a growth mindset is critical to high performance.

Understanding a Growth Mindset vs. a Fixed Mindset

A fixed mindset is the perspective that traits are “inherently stable and unchangeable over time.” 

This line of thinking can be limiting: When we believe our efforts are futile and there’s little we can do to improve, we often aren’t motivated to learn new information, try our hand at new activities, or take on more challenging tasks. 

And so the fixed mindset creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts: We don’t put in effort, so we don’t see results. As Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

5 Ways You Can Develop a Growth Mindset 

What if you don’t have a growth mindset? Not to worry—the growth mindset hinges on the very idea that you can develop one. 

Here are 5 tactics that will help you cultivate a growth mindset:

1. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

We often cling to the fixed mindset because playing it safe lets us avoid discomfort: If we don’t push the limits of our capabilities, we don’t risk feelings of vulnerability or failure. 

Growth, on the other hand, is inherently uncomfortable. Learning something new requires us to push past our limits to grapple with the novel and unfamiliar. This discomfort is why many of us avoid challenges. But if we want to grow, we’ve got to challenge ourselves.

Reframing challenges can make it easier to embrace them. Focus on the positive outcomes of taking on a challenge, viewing it as an opportunity to try something new, expand your knowledge, or advance your skill set. Over time, each challenge will feel less like a hurdle and more like a step forward.

As you successfully overcome challenges, you’ll gain more confidence in your abilities and experience less fear of failure. Eventually, you’ll equate a sense of discomfort with learning rather than fumbling or failing—an important distinction.

2. Celebrate Your Progress

The growth mindset isn’t just about change and challenge—it also provides us with plenty of reasons to celebrate our hard-won accomplishments. Each new fact learned, skill mastered, or feat overcome is a reason to extol our progress. 

Take time to reward your efforts by celebrating milestones, big and small. 

Acknowledging how far you’ve come is a wonderful way to positively reinforce your growth mindset. This also prevents you from fixating on the outcome, which commonly causes frustration or impatience when pursuing long-term goals because the endpoint feels so far away. Learning to enjoy the journey helps you appreciate the present and enjoy the process.

3. Engage in Positive Self-Talk

Believing in our ability to learn and improve is a cornerstone of the growth mindset. If you tend to have a pessimistic outlook or engage in negative self-talk, break the habit by shifting your perspective to more positive thought and speech patterns. 

One easy way to do this is adding the word “yet” to your statements, which serves as a reminder that your efforts can create a future reality that’s different from your current state. 

A few examples: 

Negative                 Positive  

“I’m not good at this.”            “I’m not good at this yet.” 

“I don’t know the answer.”        “I don’t know the answer yet.”

4. Dwell on Solutions, Not Problems

Complement your positive self-talk with a solution-oriented approach to problems, which can help you maintain a can-do mindset during challenging situations.

When faced with hardship, don’t spend too much time dwelling on the problem itself. Instead, consider all the skills and resources you have at your disposal and how you can leverage them to create a strong outcome. Make a list, if necessary. Keep the focus on possible solutions and how you might implement them. Chances are, this practice will help you pinpoint a path forward and put your solution in motion. 

Remembering how capable you are can help you approach challenges with a clear head and confident energy, which will typically yield better results. 

5. Be Patient With Yourself and the Process

A growth mindset must be balanced with this simple fact: We can make great strides, but we can never be perfect. We’ll have imperfections no matter how much we improve. 

So give yourself permission to fumble and fail. Remember that it’s OK to feel frustrated or disappointed—as long as you don’t let your failures stop you. Take a breath, take a break, then keep going. 

If you falter in your growth mindset here and there, don’t worry. Dweck notes that “nobody has a growth mindset in everything all the time.” 

Mindset Over Matter

If you’re reading this article, congratulations—you’re already showing commitment to your growth and success. 

Developing a growth mindset is a crucial step in achieving more for yourself, so do everything you can to practice the tactics we outlined above. And remember to keep the focus on possibility, positivity, and progress. You’ve got this.

Ah, the open office. High ceilings and expansive shared work areas have become a hallmark of modern office design, especially in the tech industry. 

But is the open office right for your business? Will it spark collaboration or create distraction? Will it save money or hamper efficiency?

Before you ask your contractor to start knocking down walls, let’s take a tour of the open office. There are 7 crucial factors to consider when determining whether an open office layout is right for your team:

1. Cost

2. Health

3. Communication

4. Distraction

5. Privacy

6. Equitability

7. Aesthetics

Here comes the tour.

7 Crucial Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Open Office

1. Open offices can be more cost-effective.

Money talks, especially when it comes to an open office. If your budget is tight, an open office layout can save you money in 2 significant ways: 

1. Minimal internal infrastructure can reduce up-front construction costs by thousands.

2. Shared office areas require less square footage than closed offices, enabling you to secure an overall smaller and, thus, less expensive space. This can save you tens of thousands over the life of your lease.

The flexibility of an open office is also a perk: You can easily reconfigure an open office to accommodate business growth so you can stay in your current space longer before needing to expand into a larger space or relocate. 

2. Germs spread more easily in open offices.

While workplaces have long been vehicles for widespread illness during cold and flu seasons, COVID-19 has magnified concerns about protecting employee health in the office. 

The bright, expansive feel of an open office can be energizing, especially during the dark, cold winter months. But this is misleading: Walls and partitions work wonders to prevent the spread of germs—so open offices become hotbeds of illness within hours of viruses or bacteria being introduced, especially for airborne illnesses like COVID-19. 

Consider the following note about germ spread from an Inc.com article: “An uncovered cough or sneeze creates a spray of up to 4,00 disease-ridden droplets that travel at up to 200 mph to a distance of up to 26 feet and stay suspended in the air for 10 minutes.” (Ewww.)

So what you save on office construction and square footage may be spent in lost productivity, more sick days, and higher healthcare costs.

3. Communication patterns may change in open offices.

Open office enthusiasts are quick to cite increased collaboration as the biggest perk of an open office. Fewer walls mean more opportunities to chat, brainstorm, share ideas, and engage with coworkers we otherwise may not encounter.

But the jury’s still out on whether employees pursue these additional opportunities for collaboration, at least when it comes to face-to-face communication. A study of 2 Fortune 500 companies published in Harvard Business Review found that “face-to-face interactions dropped by roughly 70% after the firms transitioned to open offices, while electronic interactions increased to compensate.” 

Other studies have found similar results, and many point out that employees simply aren’t as comfortable communicating while several colleagues are within earshot. 

Ask your employees about their workplace preferences and encourage them to share any concerns they may have about working in an open office. Then you can ensure the open office layout you choose helps your team feel comfortable, supported, and motivated. 

4. You need to be mindful of noise in open offices.

Noise and visual distractions can be more pronounced in open offices since there are fewer walls and partitions to act as buffers. This can lessen productivity and efficiency—and increase frustration—for employees whose focus is interrupted. 

Luckily, thoughtful office design can help. Include decor that reduces sound travel, like plants, rugs, tapestries, acoustic panels, and small dividers or decorative screens. Glass walls are another smart choice: They visually extend a space while cutting down on noise and providing some privacy. 

Reduce disruptive cross-talk by grouping a few couches or chairs with a whiteboard and activity table to create communal areas. Invite teammates to collaborate in these spaces rather than in hallways or at individual workstations, which may be more distracting to employees who are working autonomously.

5. Some teams may need more privacy than an open office provides.

Tech and creative workers who work on cross-departmental projects or do lots of collaborating often favor open offices—but the highly transparent nature of an open office may not be suitable for work that requires more privacy.

Employees who work in human resources, for example, will be working with confidential documents and often need to have confidential conversations with employees. The same goes for team members handling sensitive financial, legal, or medical information. If the nature of your business requires more buttoned-up security, an open office may pose additional challenges for you.

And remember that protecting privacy isn’t just about preventing sound from carrying. Computer monitors or documents laid out on desks are much more visible in open offices, making it easy for employees to even inadvertently become privy to information that was meant to be confidential. 

6. Open offices can feel more equitable.

An upside of the open office is its more egalitarian feel—eliminating physical barriers gives new meaning to the open-door policy. 

Supervisors work alongside their teams all day, reinforcing the idea that they’re available to guide and support their teams in a more hands-on way rather than simply manage from afar. Newer or junior employees feel more comfortable approaching teammates or leaders to share ideas or make suggestions. 

And working side-by-side all day bolsters a sense of unity and partnership. Teammates are, quite literally, in it together.

7. Open office aesthetics are hard to beat.

If you ever spent a few years or your early career crammed inside a dark cubicle, you know open office aesthetics are hard to beat. 

The combination of high ceilings, clean lines, and elongated spaces make an open office feel large and airy. Since there are fewer walls, natural light often extends throughout an open office, reducing the need for the harsh fluorescent lighting found in so many traditional office spaces. 

An open office can also offer a wow factor: A few well-placed sofas and glass walls can highlight the large scale of the space and impress your visitors. 

But beware of clutter and messes, which are often harder to hide in an open office environment. If you want to protect the sleek aesthetic, you’ll want to ensure your employees have plenty of storage to stow belongings and supplies. 

Is the Open Office Right for Your Business?

Thoughtful office design transcends decor and considers how the space will impact comfort, motivation, and performance. Ultimately, the office layout you choose should support the needs of your business and employees. 

If the open office feels like the right fit, our team can help you get started with your design and decor plans. We offer complimentary design services to help you with everything from seating arrangements to furniture selection. Talk with our team today to get started.

The Ever-Changing Workplace

The workplace is changing. Most of these changes aim to improve employee life and, in turn, their productivity. Here’s a look at the changes taking shape and how they will affect workers as more companies take note.

Balance of Private and Public Working Spaces

After a huge migration toward open-plan spaces in order to ditch the cubicle, many companies have found that this setup isn’t as desirable as they were led to believe. While open-plan designs allow for more collaboration, other downfalls include a lack of privacy and more distractions. 

Today, many workplaces aim to find a balance in their working environments. Most of the research supports that most employees, especially those of an introverted nature, prefer to have a balance and, more importantly, a choice where they perform certain work tasks. While completing some work tasks in a large collaborative space may be better, other independent tasks require more privacy and quiet to allow full concentration. Having the autonomy to choose has been shown to increase workers’ productivity. Turns out, employees might just know best when it comes to where they work most effectively. More companies are entrusting them to make that decision.

More Flexibility and Better Work-Life Balance

As more millennials flood the workforce, companies recognize a shift in workers’ priorities. For example, millennials place a larger emphasis on flexibility compared to other generations. Many millennials say they would sacrifice salary if it meant having a more flexible work schedule. 

With more of the workforce looking for flexible positions that promise better work-life balance, more employers are likely to respond due to the worry of missing out on top talent. Technology also allows for more flexible working schedules as it grows better and more reliable. Many companies are offering the option to work from home.

Greater Concern About Health and Wellness