5 Ways Workspace Design Quietly Shapes Team Performance

The chances are, you already know that a workplace's layout and décor have a significant impact on a team's performance. Have you ever looked deeply into why, though?

Wherever your business is located in Dorset, whether it's near the tech hub of Poole or near the beautiful Jurassic coast, the right decisions can help transform your employees into a highly focused, motivated, and energetic team. Even better, more often than not, that doesn't even require you to make major design changes.

To help you elevate your workplace, here are five ways workplace design quietly shapes team performance.

1. Open Plan = Easier Collaboration For Teams

An open-plan workplace is a specific layout that removes any physical barriers, such as walls or doors. Instead, everything is out in the open. This is important for Dorset's ongoing growth within the creative and digital tech market, as these businesses require seamless communication and collaboration.

There's more room to move around, whether that's changing desks or forming a group at another table, too. In this way, it enhances the spontaneity associated with creativity. Instead of having to wait for a meeting, a team member could instead say exactly what they think in front of the group at any one time.

2. Meet Up Points = More Spontaneity

Another way to boost spontaneous thinking within a workplace is by having natural co-worker meet-up points dotted throughout the space. These meet-up points are areas team members naturally gravitate towards throughout the day, whether that's:

• A breakroom
• The coffee machine
• A water fountain
• A dedicated outdoor space (particularly great for catching the fresh, often coastal air)

Dorset offers a lot of great outdoor space, which can offer you the opportunity to incorporate more meet-up points that offer a good view or are outside altogether. Imagine an office with a roof, for example. If you're near the coast, your team could nip up to the roof, take in that fresh sea breeze, and soak up the sight of the glorious ocean before them.

You can even go a step further by choosing a workspace with more meet-up points throughout the building. For example, in towns like Poole, there are serviced office spaces that allow for this. These flexible workspaces often have open-plan layouts with the typical meet-up points inside, as well as more areas to naturally bump into others in the building itself, whether that's at a café or rooftop garden. Not only does it boost the chances of sharing creative ideas, but it also means opportunities for networking.

3. Private Space = Being Away from Distractions

For some teams, private space is essential. That's especially true if productivity depends on employees settling into their own work without distractions. For example, in Dorset, there are plenty of professional services, engineering companies, and legal firms, such as Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors, that require private areas for employees to handle all work in a safe, quiet environment, away from prying eyes and ears.

Privacy might mean having closed doors, room dividers, walls, or cubicles so that people can retain their focus no matter what.

4. Dorset Coastal Branding = Stronger Company Culture

A quiet design change that greatly influences the work culture is the presence of more branding. Specifically, any branding related to the company itself, whether that's its logo or the colours used. Don't forget the beautiful location of Dorset itself. Any business that makes Dorset its base should incorporate coastal branding into its location, whether this is as simple as painting the walls to represent coastal views, using photographs of the coast itself, creating artwork from driftwood, or adding little nods to the sea and harbours, like seashells, anchors, ropes, and fishing boat ornaments. Whatever you choose, it's all about creating a cohesive, mission-focused, trustworthy environment. When done right, it helps create a sense of belonging among all employees and makes visitors feel welcome.

When adding more branding and Dorset-related décor choices to the workspace, remember that it should be clear and consistent. If you're stuck for ideas, try the following:

• Add a stand-out 3D logo at reception or entrance
• Blue and green colours to reflect Dorset's natural beauty
• Put your products on display as a vision of pride
• Frame any awards or success stories the company has achieved
• The incorporation of locally sourced Dorset materials to showcase the roots of the county

Your goal is that, when someone walks into the workspace, they identify your brand's personality quickly.

5. Dorset-Inspired Colours = Boosted Productivity

Choosing the right colours within a workplace can actually make a whole lot of difference to how people work. It's all about colour psychology. Some shades are worth using, whereas

others should be avoided (at least, most of the time). As a business in Dorset, it also helps to choose colours that reflect the surrounding nature.

Colours to use in a Dorset workspace These are the colours that can boost motivation and inspire creativity.

• Blue: Blue is associated with calmness and serenity. When used in décor, it can help support cognitive focus, so it works well in quieter areas where team members can fully absorb themselves in their work. On top of that, blue is reminiscent of the ocean that Dorset workers are lucky enough to work near.
• Yellow: This happy colour can help spark optimism and sudden creative ideas. Perhaps use it in a studio or collaborative workspace.
• Green: This colour is found all over Dorset thanks to the abundance of trees and nature. As such, it can help reduce stress and restore balance throughout the workplace. It's a good colour to use in break areas.
• Orange: Orange combines the optimism of yellow with the enthusiasm of red for a nice middle ground that helps inspire brainstorming sessions in collaborative areas. Plus, the soft, dreamy shade is reminiscent of the burning skies that appear during the best of Dorset's sunsets.

Colours to avoid in a Dorset workspace

Keep in mind that this is just a general guide, and some colours here might actually work well for your branding. Plus, there's nothing wrong with using some of these colours in a pinch (rather than as the main shade for all the walls).

• Sterile white: Too much white can be off-putting. It will make the whole place feel colder and more clinical, which isn't conducive to creativity or motivation.
• Muddy brown: This can make a place feel gloomy, which will negatively impact the mood.
• Greys: Too much grey will make an office space feel sad. There won't be as much inspiration in a place like that.

Of course, you won't just use one colour. As a general rule, it's best to choose a softer base (perhaps a warm white or earthy neutral shade), and then add in some brighter, secondary colours like blue or orange to boost productivity. When it comes to accent colours, you can use shades that would typically be avoided if it helps with the overall décor in a Dorset workspace.

When you want to shape how well your team performs, consider the aforementioned ways and watch how they transform productivity, collaboration, and your team's love for your company.