Maximising natural light in the office isn’t just about how the workspace looks. Natural light helps to boost productivity, encourage better sleep and even reduce energy costs. 72% of workers identify natural light as a key workplace feature. So it’s time for you to think seriously about incorporating natural light seamlessly into your office space. Whether you have a small, compact office space or a large corporate workspace, here are a few effective ways to maximise natural light in your office.
Rethink your office layout
Start with the positioning of your furniture. Desks, especially primary workstations, should be placed as close as possible to the surrounding windows. But it should be done without causing glare on your computer screens. To do this, position your desk perpendicular to the window as opposed to right in front of or behind it. This enables light distribution to be balanced and harsh reflections to be reduced.
In addition, you should avoid placing tall furniture near windows. Even partially blocking a window with bulky furniture can significantly reduce the amount of natural light that enters a room. If you’re finding that furniture and other factors are blocking light coming in through the windows, then rethink your office layout to free up the space around your windows. FIT Interiors has a wide range of sleek office furniture available if you need a modern change.
Choose transparent office partitioning
There is an array of office partitioning available to office and business owners alike. Some are fixed to the ground, others are movable. In addition, some are opaque, and others have varying degrees of transparency. Choosing moveable transparent office partitioning is a great, flexible way to maximise light coming into your office space.
The fact that they’re movable means that you’ll be able to chase the sun with the seasons. In addition, having completely transparent glass office partitioning enables natural light to flow seamlessly through the workspace. It’s a quick and effective way of allowing light to flood in without being overwhelming. It’s perfect for maximising natural light regardless of the size or shape of your office.
Opt for some reflective surfaces
Light can flow in through windows. But it might not be enough if you have a large office space with windows on one side only. To try to make the natural light travel further into the room, opt for some reflective surfaces and place them strategically throughout the workspace.
Glossy finishes can have more of an impact when it comes to natural light than you might have otherwise thought. You can choose glossy door or cabinet fronts, as well as glossy desk tops or kitchen counter tops. In addition, glass elements can make all the difference, which is something we’ve just touched upon concerning office partitioning.
Consider hanging some mirrors strategically
Carrying on from our method of maximising natural light in the office using reflective surfaces, you should consider the strategic placement of mirrors in and around the workplace.
While you shouldn’t overdo it, there are some effective ways of hanging mirrors to maximise natural light in the workspace. For instance, you should place them opposite or adjacent to windows in order to reflect light deeper into the room.
Even the smallest of mirrored accents can make all the difference when it comes to lighting up the office space. Another benefit of mirrors is that they can make areas appear larger than they really are.
Stick to a light colour palette for your office
While this isn’t always possible, given that many businesses want their office space to reflect their brand, it’s a good idea to keep the colour palette light and neutral if you want to maximise natural light in the office. While you should be painting walls and ceilings in light colours, you shouldn’t forget about the office furniture that you’re placing there.
Opt for pieces that are light in colour, such as ash or light-treated wood, or choose block colours like whites and pale blues, greens, pinks or yellows. Soft furnishings should also be kept as neutral as possible, including any cushions, rugs or throws that you might have around the place.
Make it fit with the look and feel of your business because you don’t want to seem unprofessional if you have regular visitors to your office. Balance the aesthetic effectively for a sleek and professional look. Some tones and colours included in a soft colour palette include: off-whites, soft beiges, light greys and general pastel shades.
Keep the windows clean & unobstructed
Windows should be kept clean inside and out if you want to maximise natural light in the office. Dust, grime and streaks can reduce the amount of light that’s allowed to penetrate the room. With this in mind, make it your mission to regularly have your office windows cleaned, both inside and out.
You should also take steps to reduce the amount of obstructions you have in the windows, removing clutter and moving bulky furniture away from them, also. In addition, outdoor plants, shrubs and trees can darken office spaces. If you have an overgrown outdoor plant right outside the window, then enquire about having it cut back or removed completely.
Ensure an open & minimalist design
These days, offices are no longer made up of tall, isolated and clinical cubicles. Instead, office owners are opting for a more inclusive and open plan design. Essentially, it involves taking one huge space and incorporating different elements into it, separating them off effectively with office partitioning.
Most people will go for transparent office partitioning to maximise light and maintain that feeling of unity and openness. This means that all light coming in from the surrounding windows can illuminate every single part of the office, from the kitchen and breakout areas to the meeting rooms and collaboration spaces.
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FIT Interiors is pleased to provide office fit-out services in Nottingham and office refurbishments in Nottingham. Regardless of the size of the space or the complexity of the project, we’ll be able to breathe new life into your workspace. If you’d like further information about what we have to offer, including commercial flooring, ceilings, breakout area construction, electrical work and more, get in touch with a member of our friendly, professional team today – we’re always happy to hear from you.