Meeting rooms are a staple part of every office space. Having the right design can affect the behaviour of employees who use them. It means that having the right set of furniture and layout can have an impact on your business. But how does it work?
Several studies have shown how much specific design factors can affect the way people work in a meeting room. Understanding the way a meeting room should look from a cognitive-focused standpoint can help businesses create positive workplace results for everyone.
The subtleties of natural elements
The benefits of natural elements are boundless. Experts say that exposure to natural light offers physiological and psychological benefits. Daylight can help improve people’s moods and even enhance their morale. It can also lower fatigue levels and reduce eyestrain.
Plants also have similar effects on employees. Merely walking outside during your break can already make you feel reinvigorated. Experts call this phenomenon as biophilia. It is an intrinsic bond between humans and the environment.
A study conducted by Human Spaces showed how plants help boost employee productivity and creativity in the workplace. People who worked in an area surrounded by plants showed at least a 15% increase in their creativity and productivity levels.
Aside from plants and natural light, acoustics also play a role in creating a conducive meeting room. Most companies nowadays choose glass walls over traditional materials because of aesthetics. But since glass walls are poor conductors of sound, there is a chance that noise would still penetrate the room.
That is why instead of choosing glass walls, it is best to select absorptive materials. Doing so helps diminish resonance and even reduce echoes. Adding design elements that are great sound conductors is an excellent addition to your meeting room. You can find the best materials by working with interior design firms in Melbourne.
Creating an engaging meeting room
Creating a design plan for your meeting room is a great way to create a custom design for your space. You can ensure that your employees feel that they are in control of their physical space. You also need to ensure that they experience less stress whenever they are inside it.
You can give them a feeling of control if you use flexible and movable pieces of furniture inside. These can be sets of chairs and tables that they can move or alter in size. Also, choose pieces of furniture that they can store away. Choosing these kinds of furniture can help make it easier to change the layout. It can be beneficial, especially if they want to vary it depending on their needs.
You can use soft or curved lines to create an area that feels pleasant to them. Circular shapes tend to create a space that has a sense of openness.
The design of your meeting room can affect how people behave inside the space. That is why it is crucial that you consider your employees’ needs. Also, applying employee-centric ideas can make everyone more focused and satisfied.
