16th May 2023
Plants are key to creating an inspiring work environment and an essential component to offices in creative and design industries. Let’s find out why.
Plants are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to incorporate colour into an otherwise neutral design. Productivity is key in any business, but in creative job roles, it’s one of the hardest things to maintain. The likes of writing, graphic design and web design require employees to continually develop new and interesting ideas. This poses a big challenge for businesses in creative industries.
Read on to see how plants can provide a natural solution.
Creative environments
According to a Human Spaces report, 58% of employees across the world say they have no plants in eyesight from their working space. Based on the report’s findings, that’s a big proportion of employers missing out on the benefits of natural elements in the office.
Surveying 7,600 office employees from 16 different countries, Human Spaces found that natural elements boosted worker creativity by 15%. As well as plants and greenery, this includes natural light in the office. On top of creativity, they found a 6% increase in overall productivity and 15% boost for employee well-being.
More specifically, the study identifies a particular design which inspires work, including the following features:
- Overall minimalist design
- Natural lighting
- Plants
- Natural colours
- Window views
- Some bright colours
The science of colour
Plants are an easy way to incorporate colour into an otherwise neutral design. This does more than just brighten up the place, according to environmental psychologist Sally Augustin. Colours can evoke both emotional and behavioural responses. This includes pink to calm people down, orange representing good value and red as a colour which reduces analytical thinking.
Interestingly, green is linked to broad and creative thinking. It evokes ideas of nature and regrowth, making it ideal to inspire employees. While painting full workspaces green might be a bit of an overload, planting schemes are the perfect way to incorporate a burst of green into the office.
Offices and plants – a match made in heaven
Not convinced? Plants also have a range of benefits for office environments more broadly, which will no doubt improve the productivity in creative offices too. Contact with nature has been shown to have a positive impact on employee health, reducing stress levels and health complaints over time. Linking to that, plants are also natural air purifiers which soak up pollutants and release oxygen.
Plan your eco-friendly office today
Are your employees among the 58% without a plant in sight? Valley Provincial can provide the perfect solution. We specialise in tailored planting schemes for an inspiring work environment, with over 40 years’ experience in the industry. From the initial survey and planning to installation and aftercare, we give our clients a comprehensive service to boost productivity and creativity without the hassle.
