Bad offices hurt businesses. When staff spend their days in poorly designed spaces, everything suffers – from their physical health to the company’s bottom line.
Despite this, countless businesses still cram people into uninspiring boxes with uncomfortable furniture, poor lighting, and constant noise.
The big question: What transforms an ordinary workplace into one where people actually want to be?
Here’s our countdown of the leading factors in office design, all based on hard evidence and real-world results.
1. Ergonomic Workstations That Support Health
Poor workstation setups are a serious issue, causing everything from nagging back pain to serious repetitive strain injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive reports that musculoskeletal disorders caused 7.8 million lost working days in 2023/24.
When planning your office, consider the following:
● Adjustable chairs that properly support the spine and can be tailored to each person
● Sit-stand desks that let people change positions throughout the day
● Monitors positioned at eye level to avoid neck strain
● Keyboard and mouse placement that keeps wrists straight
But having good equipment isn’t enough by itself – staff need to be able to adjust and optimise their setup for themselves. Ergonomic chairs, etc, are no good if staff can’t set them up in their own spaces with day-to-day continuity.
2. Biophilic Design Elements
Our innate connection to nature means bringing natural elements into the office can dramatically improve wellbeing, with the British Safety Council reporting:
● 15% boost in wellbeing
● 6% greater productivity
● 15% higher creativity
● 60% reduction in bacterial colonies
● 24% decrease in headaches
Even relatively small touches make a difference here:
● Real plants scattered through the space
● Wood, stone and other natural materials
● Windows with actual views (not just other buildings)
● Patterns that echo natural forms
● Water features that add sound and movement
The goal is to create a more dynamic, warmer, brighter environment with a more natural colour palette than a typical office.
3. Balanced Lighting Solutions
Bad lighting causes eye strain, headaches, fatigue and poor concentration. Consider the following:
● Natural light should be maximised wherever possible
● Task lighting at desks lets people adjust for different activities
● Overall ambient lighting creates the right atmosphere
● Modern lighting systems can mimic natural daylight patterns
For windowless spaces or dark winter afternoons in particular, full-spectrum lighting that mimics natural daylight helps maintain energy levels and prevents the afternoon slump that comes with poor lighting.
4. Acoustic Management
Noise regularly tops the list of office complaints, especially in open-plan layouts. Superb acoustic design means efficiently controlling sound:
● Sound-absorbing materials in ceilings, walls and floors
● Barriers between desks to limit sound travel
● Quiet corners where people can concentrate
● Phone spaces for private calls
● Background sound systems that mask distracting conversations
5. Different Spaces for Different Tasks
Throughout the day, people need to focus alone, work with others, take calls, and sometimes just have casual chats.
A great office includes:
● Team tables where groups can spread out materials
● Quiet spots for deep concentration
● Casual seating for informal catch-ups
● Proper meeting rooms for client meetings
● Places to step away when needed
Giving people options means they can find the right spot for whatever they’re working on, rather than trying to force every activity to happen at the same desk.
6. Neurodivergent-Friendly Design
People with conditions like autism, ADHD or dyslexia often react differently to their surroundings. Smart office design takes this into account:
● Lighting that can be adjusted to reduce sensory strain
● Quiet areas away from busy thoroughfares
● Clear signs and navigation
● Clean, uncluttered spaces
● Control over temperature and air flow
The British Council for Offices research is clear: “Certain spaces can be disabling due to their poor design and lack of consideration for the diverse needs of users.” When offices work for neurodivergent staff, they generally work better for everyone.
7. Technology Integration
Technology is a de-facto inclusion in any modern office. However, it should always help, not hinder. Consider:
● Clean cable management to reduce desk clutter
● Wireless charging points
● Video conferencing that actually works
● Simple room booking systems
● Smart building features that respond to real needs
Making Your Office Work for Your Team
Every business has its own character and needs. The right office design reflects who you are and how you work, while supporting health and productivity.
At Spaceway, we create office spaces that work in the real world. From initial planning to complete office fit-out, we help transform ordinary spaces into environments where people actually want to spend their time.
Ready to rethink your workspace? Contact Spaceway today for a free site survey and practical ideas to improve your office.