Combining work and play: the latest office design trend

In recent years, office design has moved away from formal,
conventional spaces to more playful, recreational working environments. With
large corporations like Google paving the way for fun work environments, more
and more companies are beginning to embrace the latest trend of mixing business
with pleasure in a bid to create a more productive, engaged workforce and stand
out from competitors. If you’re looking to combine work and play in your office
but don’t know where to start, this simple guide should help.

With the average worker spending more than half their waking
hours at work, the office has become a home from home for many people. However,
this can result in increased levels of stress and unhappiness, and there’s no
doubt that working in drab, sterile surroundings emphasises this problem. For
many companies, the solution lies in breaking down the barrier between the
workplace and the home. Creating a comfortable, informal feel with
collaborative spaces and business lounges can help make staff feel more at
ease, which can in turn raise creativity and boost performance. If you’re in
need of some design inspiration, you can peruse blogs and magazines, or take a
look at the websites of design specialists like K2 Space.

It’s well documented that spending prolonged periods of time
sitting in front of a computer screen can have a detrimental impact on your
physical and mental health. To keep employees motivated and engaged with their
tasks, workplaces need to incorporate a variety of spaces where people can
temporarily get away from their work demands and blow off steam. Break-out
areas and games rooms are becoming an increasingly common feature of modern
offices, with the aim of giving employees the chance to relax when the daily
grind gets too much. OK, so playing table tennis or taking a nap during working
hours may sound counterproductive, but in fact regular breaks can improve
employee performance in the long term.

As well as increasing employee satisfaction, bringing a
sense of playfulness to the office can have a knock-on effect on a company’s
bottom line. After all, when staff are happier and more contented, this can translate
into improved client relations and customer service. There’s no need to spend a
fortune on gigantic slides and adult-size ball pits to see a good return on
your investment either. Simple changes such as upgrading your furniture or
enhancing your decor can go a long way in terms of creating a positive company
culture. Not only can a pleasant environment reduce absenteeism and make
workers better at their jobs, it can also give your company a competitive edge
and help you to attract the best talent.