“Having a calm workplace can be beneficial for our overall well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction,” says Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, psychologist and media advisor for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation. “If we feel calm, we’re able to sustain focus, feel happy, feel safe, and enjoy the work that we’re doing.” It’s not rocket science, but it does require a little planning and know-how—for both employees and employers. If you need help creating that calming vibe in a professional environment, here’s some interior designer-approved advice on crafting a workspace that will make you feel right at, well, home. “Colors have a big impact on how we feel,” explains Alejandra Albarrán, vice president, workspace design and strategy at ROOM, a company that creates soundproof office privacy solutions. “Research shows that people feel more joy from environments that have plenty of color and texture, and we feel more relaxed in environments that have neutral colors that remind us of nature.” Need help picking a calming color? Tamra Fuscaldo, director of interior design at M+A Architects, suggests starting with the “cool” stuff. “In color theory, cool colors like blue, green, and purple are more calming, especially when their hues are lighter in tone,” Fuscaldo says. “Think softer versus brighter if you want to reduce anxiety or stress within a space. Fuscaldo’s favorite color for a space is green, which, she says, is a very “stable color” that can “have a balancing or harmonizing effect.” For a more soothing effect, Fuscaldo suggests neutral colors or complementary colors. She importantly notes it’s wise for employers to consider their neurodiverse employees and, one, avoid incorporating too many patterns with color, and two, select a flat finish vs. a gloss to “allow for concentration and to avoid triggering anxieties.” RELATED: Good Neutral Paint Colors to Bring Home for a Relaxing, Natural Space “A lounge area with soft seating will encourage a more relaxed body position and hence a more casual environment, contrary to a work area with a desk and an office chair that will keep us at an upright position suited for focused, productive work,” Albarrán says. “A wellness room will have natural fibers and neutral colors to soothe the senses. A community space will most likely offer a mix of textures, colors, and seating options to promote a high-energy atmosphere.” “The desire to personalize your space might still be there for those who would require a designated space, but should still be kept clear and uncluttered for ease of cleaning. A clean workstation free of clutter calms and clears the mind,” she says. RELATED: Your Cluttered Home Is Stressing You Out More Than You Realize, According to a New Study Fuscaldo notes, employers can also encourage personalization in common areas. “For instance, instead of having your pictures of your family on your desk, there may be a communal space like a cafe where you would have a collection of personal items on an experiential wall or kiosk that you share with your colleagues,” she suggests. “It will be more about the social connection through sharing that will take center stage.” “It’s directly related to our level of comfort, and everyone has a different level of tolerance. Workplaces kept too warm or too cold can have a negative impact on our well-being, productivity, and our desire to be there,” she says. “It’s important to be able to control the temperature in the room to what we need. Air quality is another key consideration when it comes to designing a space. Clean air positively impacts our productivity and helps with concentration.” RELATED: How to Improve Air Quality in Your Home “In order to thrive in a workplace environment, we need to offer team members the luxury of choice. Our needs within a typical workday will vary greatly. We will need spaces to do focused work, but we will also need places to socialize and collaborate. A healthy workspace will provide for all types of activities,” Albarrán says. Offering private phone booths or focus rooms is an easy way to provide the privacy people crave without taking up a ton of space. And if they aren’t offered at your place of work, it’s worth finding a way to create a makeshift personal space. Lira de la Rosa agrees, explaining that managers need to consider their varied staff and each of their individual needs. “Some employees need time to recharge, and [privacy] can help them feel calm,” Lira de la Rosa says. “So it may be important to have a mix of office spaces so that employees have options.” Now if only corporate offices would change their attire policies to include sweatpants, we’d be all set.
