Psychology and the Office Space
There are many details within office spaces that help shape who we are and how we behave. We spend most of our professional years in the same room or even at the same desk, and the workspace you have can influence the overall company psyche. From creative performance to overall well-being, here’s a simple overview on how psychology ties into your office space.
Office History 101
In the 1920s, Frederick Taylor was arguably the first person to be recognized for his work on the general benefits of open-plan office spaces, with the core idea that the desks should all be facing towards a supervisor for easier management, and enhanced productivity. Due to inadequate lighting, this idea didn’t peak for another few decades until the ‘50s, where the “universal office” became the highlight design, with new advancements in lighting, ventilation, and air-conditioning. Managers were commonly situated within glass offices and other employees in open offices with fixed cubicles.
The 1960s gave rise to the infamous office cubicle. This initially boosted the perception of increased productivity and worker benefits. However, as more workers entered the workforce, the cubicle design slowly showed its true colors of corporate oppression, and in the late 80s to 90s, had hit rock bottom in popularity with most major companies.
Psychology Behind The Modern Office
From the late 1990s to the present day, companies have diverged from this old design to establish an office plan that meets employees’ needs. The new demands of a rising millennial and Gen X workforce have led to new designs, trends, and amenities at work. An infographic from USC Online Masters in Applied Psychology program explores how the office space has been continuously changed over the last few decades, with prominent effects in workplace productivity, morale, and culture being some of the outcomes of this more dynamic and creative workspace. The next sections will dig deeper into a few of these outcomes.
The Power of Colors
A study from researchers at the University of Texas confirmed that color causes a reaction in the brain and can subsequently affect workers’ moods and their overall productivity. Warm colors like yellows and orange can trigger creativity, while red can evoke power, authority, and intensity to the décor.
The color white maintains a clean and simple vibe. Major companies like Apple embody the simplicity behind white in their products, but if white is all that an office has, the result can be feelings of boredom and plainness within the office. Research has shown that white can hinder productivity and give off a cold and isolated feeling. On the opposite end, the color black can promote feelings of sophistication and security, most common in attire. For an office, however, it can elicit some negative psychological responses, such as unhappiness and depression. It’s best to use these colors in coordination with other more vibrant colors for your brand.
Natural colors seem to have the most empowering effects for a business. Colors such as green have been shown to improve efficiency and focus and allow for a relaxation and refreshment of one’s mood. Blue hues around the office also give a sense of calm and peace among workers. However, layering your entire office in greens can limit your decor options or muddy the effect.
Take in Nature with Plants and Windows
Going green and placing natural elements within the office space can have some significantly obvious impacts in your workspace. As humans, we enjoy coexisting with nature in many forms. Research has shown that the sight of plants decorated in the office can help workers recover from demanding activities and lower stress levels.
To keep employees even healthier, companies can let the sun in with a variety of window arrangements for their office space, preferably with a view of a natural landscape. A study from Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign compared the overall health of workers who had window-filled offices versus those without. Their results showed that employees slept an average of 46 minutes longer per night when exposed to more white light during work hours (almost 173% more than windowless employees). This added benefit helps employees improve their physical activity and maintain stronger cognitive function.
Have Room for Flexible Workspaces
Due to advances in technology and business, companies that fail to adopt practices and environments that cater to more flexible, collaborative office environments also fail at attracting younger, more diverse generations to join their workforce. In a 2010 study by Craig Knight Director of the Identity Realization workplace consultancy, and Alex Haslam, a psychology professor at the University of Queensland, showed that when workers were given the opportunity to arrange a small office how they liked, they showed 32% more productive behaviors, as well as increased commitment and efficiency within the team.
If given the chance to design a custom office, opt for layouts and furniture that is curved and rounded rather than sharp and straight-edged. A study in 2011 showed a significant preference for round furniture, as opposed to straight furniture, as participants found they were more pleasing, inviting and generated other positive emotions which are known to be beneficial for creativity and productivity. Companies like Haworth carry a nice selection of layouts that can cater to this type of preference.
Research centered around general circular behavior in the office, such as sitting in meetings with circular desks, helps promote a collective mindset, compared to sitting in straight lines which may trigger feelings of individuality. This is a big shift from the isolation of cubicle design that many modern tech companies are taking advantage of to promote even stronger forms of collaboration.
