At home or at work, people have an instinctive desire to own their space. A potted plant here, a picture frame there, and some interesting bit of furniture over there to give the space a spark; make it feel alive and welcoming.
There’s a bit more serious intentionality in accounting for productivity when designing the workspace. After all, workspaces are the money maker.
A gloomy or distracting workspace could negatively impact both productivity and efficiency. A task that would have ordinarily taken half a day to complete suddenly turns into a week-long task.
This article explores ways you can create the perfect workspace for high-impact creativity and productivity.
But first, a quick look at the top 5 considerations for designing creative workspaces.
BEFORE YOU DESIGN: TOP 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DESIGNING A WORKSPACE
There are many things to consider when designing a workspace, but a few factors stand out as very critical:
- Space layout: What can the available space accommodate? A private office, cubicle, open plan layout, co-working, or hybrid space? A private office in a space meant for a cubicle will be uncomfortably cramped.
- Furnishing: Furnishing for content production studios or a private office for creatives and professionals? Aesthetics and ergonomics are the key terms to have in mind. For as much as the furniture and other elements in the space should be stylish and engaging, there is an important need to ensure they offer maximum comfort.
- Natural lighting: Numerous studies have proven that natural lighting is essential for productivity in the workplace. From reducing eye strain, drowsiness, and headaches to improving mood, concentration, and satisfaction, accounting for natural lighting in workplace design makes a whole lot of difference.
- Noise: It is especially important to eliminate as much noise as possible when designing creative spaces, as noise can greatly impact focus and, consequently, productivity. Consider locating workspaces in quiet zones or using acoustic panels and plants to reduce noise reverberation.
- Organization: Where does what go? Are there sufficient outlets for all electrical gadgets? Does the office need cabinets for files? How will cables be routed around the office?
Other things to factor in before design include air quality, utilities, privacy, and the scalability and adaptability of the space.
DURING DESIGN: HOW TO CREATE A PRODUCTIVE AND CREATIVE WORKSPACE
With everything accounted for, including space, lighting, and furnishing, among others, designing the perfect workspace can be a fun-filled, rewarding experience.
Prioritize Human-Centric Designs
The best office spaces to work in are those that take a people-first approach to incorporate elements that ensure maximum comfort for the occupants.
Ampersand Studios’ flexible office spaces at the heart of Miami Arts & Entertainment District studios serve as a great reference point for designing workspaces that put users at the center of every decision made during the design process.
Think empathy-driven layouts that account for a variety of employees’ needs, including open lounges for collaboration, huddle rooms, technology support for in-person and hybrid meetings, and kitchenettes.
Create Room for Nature
Don’t shut out the world. Here, consider leaving room for natural air flow, natural lighting, and plants around the office space.
A shift to electrochromic glasses can significantly improve access to natural lighting while equally blocking solar heat and reducing the need for too many shades around the workspace.
Additionally, plants, whether in stands, wall-mounted, or hanging, can enhance workspace aesthetics and purify the air and filter out noise.
Different Zones for Different Levels of Work
Running different tasks or levels of work in the same space or on the same desk can lead to context-switching, whereby focus bounces from one task to another, drastically impacting concentration and productivity.
Consider mapping out different zones for:
- Deep work: The primary space for work, featuring only the essentials needed to get work done.
- Inspiration/quick breaks: This could be a lounge chair in a corner, with quick access to magazines, physical mood boards, a sketchbook, or any other thing that can help deal with mental blocks.
For large office space designs, this could mean having dedicated areas for private offices, events, meetings, content & production, and shared working environments, as seen in Nashville Music Row Offices by Ampersand Studios.
CONCLUSION: EVERYTHING YOU WANT IN A WORKSPACE, ALL IN ONE PLACE
Designing a workspace can be an exciting adventure, even more so when it comes out perfect. For the best outcomes, layout, organization, lighting, noise, and ergonomics, among other vital factors, must be considered.
However, for those who work from home all the time, even the most strategically designed workspace doesn’t quite cut it most times when deep work needs to be done.
Ampersand Studios leverages the core principles of human-centric and biophilic office designs to create impeccable creative workspaces, business meeting spaces, and private office spaces for rent to entrepreneurs, remote workers, and hybrid teams looking for the perfect office space away from home.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: Can I create the perfect workspace if I live in a very small apartment?
A1: Creating the perfect workspace in a very small apartment is feasible if you have a window-side corner that you can adapt to accommodate ergonomic office furniture. If the space still feels too cramped, you should consider renting a flexible private office space on an as-needed basis.
Q2: Is there flexible office space in Nashville Yards?
A2: Ampersand Studios offers a diverse range of creative workspaces in the CAA Creative Office Building, Nashville Yards, which you can book whenever you want for focused work and high-impact productivity.
Q3: Where can I find creative workspaces in Miami?
A3: You’d find Ampersand Studios right in the heart of the Arts & Entertainment District, Miami. A premier creative workspace offering a blend of stylish office spaces and high-end production facilities.
