This Office Furniture USA “Insights” newsletter has some good tips for improving office aesthetics. First, they reveal some telling numbers that show why this is important. A study titled ‘Recruiting Qualified Employees‘, commissioned by the American society of interior design, found that:

• Employees were 30% more likely to be satisfied with their jobs if they liked the appearance of their workplace.
• More than 40% of workers and job candidates said the physical workspace impacts their decision to take a job.
• Half of employees say the quality of their workplace might influence them to quit a job.
• After pay, comfort and office aesthetics ranked as the most important workplace benefits.

Obviously, looks matter more than most employers think. It’s not enough to put fancy furniture and pretty pictures in the reception area. Job candidates and employees need to feel at home throughout the facility. Fortunately, it’s not necessary to tear everything out and start from scratch to improve the appearance of a typical office. OFUSA offers a few ideas for simple changes that can make a big difference:

• Adjustable workstations that allow for mobility and increased privacy symbolize an environment that is open for change.
• Flexibility in allowing workers to provide input into wall hangings and color schemes gives workers a feeling of inclusion and is a simple way to create psychological comfort for employees.

Cubicle panel extenders and desktop panels could actually fill the bill quite nicely. They are easy to install and remove, making workstations adjustable to meet different working conditions for each employee. Plus, workers could even get together and vote on a favorite color from our catalogue of polycarbonate panels including red, blue, green, and yellow options. If you wanted to really let them feel special, let each worker pick their favorite color and embrace the look of a more vibrant office aesthetic with an array of bright hues. It would be hard not to feel cheerful in the face of so much diversity!