The average person spends about a third of their life at work, so it's certainly worth the effort to make your commercial property as comfortable as possible. A study on workplace happiness found that workers who are happy are, on average, 12 percent more productive. Plus, a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing commercial environment is likely to appeal to potential new employees, clients, and even leaseholders if you happen to be a commercial property owner or manager.
With all of this mind, take a moment to consider the three ways you can create a more comfortable commercial space.
More recent research on the optimal office temperature suggests 71.5 degrees Fahrenheit is the "sweet spot" for comfort. However, this may vary depending on the personal preferences of your building’s occupants. Relative humidity is also important since this is what affects how hot or cold various temperatures actually feel. You're not going to be able to please everyone, but you can make an effort to control temperature by:
• Sending out an office survey to get a feel for what everyone thinks of the current temperature settings
• Using blinds or shutters to adjust sunlight amounts to offset temperature fluctuations caused by heat coming in through windows
• Giving access to office comforts (e.g., fans that can be placed in individual work areas on hot days, hot beverages on cooler days)
The decorations and accessories in your commercial areas can also affect comfort, as can the overall layout. With decor, bringing in some office greenery with plants or hanging baskets can have a soothing effect and reduce stress. If it's appropriate for your business, curate office furniture that has more of a homey feel to it. Even sometime as simple as choosing warm colors can increase mental comfort and improve moods.
As far as layout goes, you generally want something that's going to create a good traffic flow, especially in high-traffic spots. And while the open layout design is big these days, be aware that some workers actually prefer the option to have some degree of privacy. If this is the case, consider using movable partitions or screens.
With commercial properties, it's often preferred that window treatments don't obstruct the view too much. At the same time, you don't want to have so much light pouring in that it creates glare and makes it impossible to get any work done. One solution is to use adjustable commercial shutters or louvres, like those from Shutterflex, that can allow you to have control over how much view is on display and how much light comes into each area. Strategically placed external shutters could serve a similar purpose while also enhancing your building's architectural style.
Ideally, a commercial property that's going to serve as your business location should reflect your company's culture. A perfect example of successfully achieving this goal is what Google has done with its various offices and workplaces. Certain areas are more enclosed in order to make it easier to collaborate on projects, while other spaces are more open. Some locations even have climbing walls and putting-greens, but you don't necessarily have to go that far. Just pay attention to the comfort details that matter most based on how you intend to use your commercial property and you should be fine.
Dixie Somers is a freelance writer who loves to write for business, health, home, and women’s interests. She lives in the USA with her husband and three beautiful daughters.