How Office Decor Shapes Employee Morale

Prettier office, happier employees

Businesses value employee productivity—that’s what they’re in the office for, after all! For years, that meant endless rows of drab cubicles and fluorescent lighting that actually made employees less productive. 

Everything in your office, from the floorplan to the choice of art, plants and fixtures can have a significant impact on employee happiness and productivity. We’ve dug into four ways you can brighten up your office and create a warm, inviting space your employees will enjoy working in.

Art stimulates brain activity

Blank office walls are a canvas. Filling them with beautiful art doesn’t just give your business a chance to express itself—it can also stimulate brain activity, increase blood flow and improve employee mood.

One study placed subjects inside MRI machines and had them look at classic paintings. Researchers discovered the paintings that subjects found most beautiful caused a significant increase in blood flow—up to a 10% increase, or the same amount as looking at someone you love. Art considered “ugly” saw the least change in MRI activity.

Another study placed subjects in several different working environments. “Lean” workspaces only contained work-related objects with no decoration, while “enriched” spaces also contained an arrangement of art and plants. Office workers in “enriched” spaces were up to 15% more productive than those in “lean” spaces—and those figures doubled when employees could rearrange objects to their liking.

All of this is to say that art is more than something that looks nice—it activates people’s brains in ways that make them more effective at their jobs. Consider choosing beautiful and engaging pieces from local artists or reproductions of classic works for the best shot at energizing your employees.

Plants breathe life into workspaces

Like art, adding plants to your decor can significantly improve employee mood. Research has found that decorating with a touch of greenery not only makes the office a more enjoyable and attractive workplace, it can also enhance a worker’s sense of privacy and reduce the likelihood of workplace health complaints.

The reasons? There’s the obvious chemical process of photosynthesis, converting the carbon dioxide we exhale into fresh oxygen. A natural source of fresh oxygen helps keep employees more alert and can improve their cognitive abilities. Then there are the psychological effects—the mere presence of plants that live and breathe in the workplace can help to reduce stress and improve productivity. 

Maintaining plants in the workplace doesn’t have to be a chore, either. Many varieties require minimal sunlight or watering—like the Pothos, a fast-growing plant with heart-shaped leaves that only needs to be watered once every couple of weeks. Hanging plants on walls, displaying them in corners or placing them on desks throughout the office will brighten everyone’s day and keep minds sharp.

Learn other office decoration hacks in The Managers’ Guide to Choosing the Best Office Decor.

Colors affect mood

Ever feel like being around yellow colors makes you feel happier, while red colors make you feel more energetic? You’re not imagining things—that’s the psychology of color influencing your mood. Marketers have long used color to influence consumer behavior, but it can have an impact on your employees, too.

A study conducted by the University of Texas found that the color of paint used in the rooms employees work in has a direct correlation with productivity. Most participants enjoyed working in the aqua-colored room, as psychologists note that the color fosters creativity and collaboration. They made more mistakes in the white room, a color that tends to feel stuffy and sterile—and also happens to be the standard room color of choice for most workplaces. Some employees were highly distracted in the red room, while others could filter it out as they worked. 

The moral of the story: to keep morale high, think about the colors your office uses to decorate and avoid using basic grays and whites. These colors may seem neutral, but it’s this very neutrality that can sap energy and create that “trapped in an endless row of cubicles” feeling you’re trying to avoid.

Synchronize your room color with your office layout—read The Psychology Behind Office Floor Plans: What Works and What Doesn't for more ways to boost employee morale.

Lighting brightens up the office & boosts productivity 

Office workers need light to help them get their work done—that much is obvious. However, the type and color temperature of the light bulbs you choose can have a major impact on employee energy levels and morale.

For example, fluorescent lighting has been the primary choice of offices for decades because it’s energy efficient and can last a long time. However, it’s also synonymous with drab, dreary workspaces because it’s often too bright while making colors appear unnaturally muted.

For the best mix of productive lighting conditions and employee morale, natural lighting is the way to go. Big windows, skylights and daylight redirecting film can help point natural sunlight deeper into the office where employees need it most. If your building can’t access that much natural light, LED bulbs with a color temperature of around 4,000K allow you to reproduce that healthy, early-afternoon glow while keeping energy costs under control.

Get more tips to illuminate the workplace by reading Office Lighting: The Ultimate Guide to Perfecting Workspace Ambience.

Helping your employees get their best work done

The modern office doesn’t have to be merely functional—it can be a beautiful space designed to lift your well-being, too. With these tips in tow, you’ll be able to make decorating decisions that can make a real impact on the work your employees do and how they feel as they do it.

Looking for more resources to enhance morale? Browse the Walmart Business content hub to find decorating tips, guides for developing meaningful employee perks and more.

For all of your other business needs, sign up for Walmart Business and get free shipping on any order over $35.¹ Already have an account? Take advantage of potential savings of over $500/year and enjoy exclusive rewards for your organization with Walmart Business+.²

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