4 min read
June 17, 2024
Office spaces are currently in a fascinating state of evolution as the ways in which people work have changed drastically and by extension, the needs of people who predominantly work in offices have too.
Paradoxically, whilst there are more ways for office work to be completed thanks to the use of cloud computing, remote working and hotdesking, building managers and employers are paying even closer attention to ensuring the office environment allows for the greatest productivity possible.
However, whilst a lot of focus is placed on furniture, fixtures and lighting, the largest part of the office by surface area deserves considerable attention as well, and our new range of Interface carpet tiles could be the missing piece to help unlock further productivity.
Whilst they are physically the largest part of any office design, they also fulfil a lot of different purposes, many of which are relatively subtle and not always well-known, but are critical to getting the most from your office space aesthetically and in terms of productivity.
Extends Biophilic Design
One of the biggest trends in office design in the past few years is the adoption of biophilic and naturally inspired elements to offices, generally in the form of colours and textures found in nature, as well as layout designs that tend towards organic growth rather than strict regimentation.
The reasons for this are fairly straightforward; people need nature to grow and thrive, and there is a strong correlation between the adoption of natural elements, including lights, shapes, smells, sounds and textures, and improved employee satisfaction, which in turn leads to better productivity, fewer sick days and fewer resignations.
This concept is not entirely new, with the Office Landscape (Bürolandschaft) concept of the 1950s interspersing curved screens, irregular layouts and literal plants to create an office that operated more like a thriving ecosystem.
Carpets with natural textures and colour palettes such as those found in the Interface Composure range are a huge part of this, not just because the backing is made from biologically derived and recycled materials, but also because it uses subtle colours and textures from nature.
Extends Strategic Uses Of Colour
Whilst commonly associated with furniture and wall colours rather than flooring, a carefully chosen vivid carpet colour and texture could aid in your office’s colour psychology.
Many offices are already strategically using colours to help shape productivity in certain areas. Light blues tend to be helpful for reducing the strain of repetitive tasks and promote clarity and order in work.
Meanwhile, yellow is associated with increased retention of information, red with a higher level of mental alertness and green with less mental strain and tiredness.
Subtle uses of these colours as a flooring element as opposed to dramatic furniture accents or wall decorations can help retain the benefits and create sectioned purposeful zones of productivity without the risk of oversaturation.
Reduces Distracting Sound
Open plan offices can be surprisingly noisy environments, with a constant murmur of dozens of phone conversations, the clicking of keys and the stomps of heavy soles and heels against the flooring sometimes becoming a constant and consistent source of distraction.
One of the biggest practical advantages of opting for a carpet instead of a solid or vinyl floor is that it helps to mitigate some of this sound, which helps to accentuate the effects of other clever office layout tricks to help reduce the impact of office acoustics.
The result is employees who can get into the rhythm and flow of their work without constantly having their focus shattered by the environment around them, which is not only beneficial from a productivity standpoint but also reduces frustration.
Greater Comfort
Distractions in the office do not just come from outside of a particular desk but within as well. So much focus is placed on ergonomics not just because of the long-term health complications of improper VDU use and seating that puts a strain on the joints, but because this discomfort affects productivity.
Carpets have a surprisingly important role to play in this. Walking around on a soft carpet, even one that is hard-wearing and durable, is significantly less of a strain on your joints and your feet than a solid floor, as well as being less of a trip hazard.
This allows for the use of variable height desks for sit-stand working, as well as making travel around the office easier and less arduous.
This in turn provides benefits for people working in roles that require them to travel to different departments in the office.
