How to Boost Team Morale Through Office Design

According to AXA Insurance’s fourth annual Mind Health Study, 53% of the UK is experiencing an absence of positive wellbeing. Furthermore, the report found that poor employee mind health cost the UK economy £102 billion last year.

The workplace environment is a significant contributory factor to these statistics, with three quarters of UK adults experiencing trouble sleeping, stress, lack of confidence, and lack of interest.

Despite this, as an office fit out company, we know that the workplace environment can contribute to positive wellbeing too. So, in this article, we’re going to explore office design ideas that can help businesses boost team morale.

Using examples from our own projects and referencing insights from workplace experts, we offer our suggestions so you can build a happier, more productive workspace.

Before We Go On…

On the subject of mental health, this Christmas, Rap Interiors is raising funds for the Mates in Mind charity. Mates in Mind focuses on improving mental health and wellbeing in workplaces, particularly in the construction industry. It provides resources, training, and support to employers to help them create mentally healthy work environments.

The Rap Interiors team is doing its bit to help by walking 80 miles. The journey will take place on walking pads, with participants dressed in full PPE and overcoming additional challenges to reflect the mental struggles that some in the industry endure.

To learn more about our mission, please click here.

To donate, please visit our Just Giving Page here.

Help Employees Build Meaningful Connections

These days, we are more connected than ever thanks to social media. However, making connections in person rather than virtually is key to building meaningful, long-lasting relationships. This, in turn, enhances wellbeing, fulfilment, and satisfaction.

As Tracy Brower says in her book, Secrets to Happiness at Work, we have ‘elevated convenience over connection’ by choosing to connect with people virtually. This is true of both our personal and work lives, with remote and hybrid arrangements giving rise to more online meetings.

Brower highlights that statistically three in four people make their friends at work, so the office serves as an important ‘connector’. So, how can businesses help employees to build relationships organically?

One way to help facilitate connection building is to offer a variety of office furniture that provide opportunities for informal and spontaneous interaction. For example, tea points with dining furniture, hotdesking areas, and laptop lounges are ideal.

As 89 percent of people value opportunities for informal interaction, it’s a no brainer.

For a great example of a workspace that encourages interaction, check out Ward Security here.

Show Recognition and Appreciation

Tracy Brower also says that recognising small successes and appreciating colleagues contributes to a positive environment. Likewise, global research company Gallup identified that businesses should be more mindful of showing appreciation for work, with recognition every seven days being a sweet spot.

One way to show appreciation is to create a dedicated community area. For example, our client Classic Collection created an auditorium area with presentation screens to host team gatherings. Ward Security also did this by installing reconfigurable modular bleacher seating.

Further to offering recognition as a group, it’s important to provide private spaces for one-on-one appraisals with business leaders. These also provide settings where employees can air any concerns to key decision makers, helping to reduce stress.

Create a Space Where People Want to Spend Their Time

In a recent article, Worktech Academy highlighted the positive effects of biophilia in hotel lobbies and how this can crossover to offices. According to the article, having nature in hotel lobbies makes customers spend more time there and, in turn, part with more money for food and beverages.

Fittingly, our client Ward Security went down the biophilic route for its recent office fit out. The office includes biophilic feature walls and furniture draped in foliage, making for a welcoming and eye-catching theme.

We’re also seeing more businesses taking a page out of the hospitality design book in their offices. For example, the new Signal House offices in Washington exude a sense of hospitality, despite being in an area associated with top-tier law firms. With a variety of amenities and lavish décor, the space communicates comfort more than power.

Encourage Employees to Take Full Lunch Breaks

According to Forbes, skipping your lunch hour and wolfing down food at your desk can lead to feeling overworked and overwhelmed. This can have a negative effect on an employee’s mood, so it’s best to encourage lunch breaks away from the desk by creating an inviting dining area.

For example, our client Albion Fine Foods created a dedicated breakout floor with a canteen servery to entice employees. On a smaller scale, we also helped a corporate insurance client introduced a vibrant new tea point and breakout area to encourage breaks.

Beyond hunger pangs, breakout areas also provide an informal space where employees can enjoy quality conversations. These interactions are more than transactional and show consideration for life outside work, helping to build trust and strong relationships at work.

Communicate Your Mission Statement

Tracy Brower’s book also delves into the importance of creating a sense of purpose and meaning to boost morale. Bower argues that leaders have a responsibility to create conditions where staff can buy into that purpose and enjoy work.

In relation to office design, companies can do this through wall decorations. Take Access Insurance, which added its vision, values, and mission statement as part of a decorative wall mural.

By doing so, Access Insurance helped employees to feel part of a larger goal. Combined with a new breakout area, this helped the company’s employees to feel happier and more engaged.

Stay Connected to Hybrid Workers

Hybrid working is undoubtedly good for morale, as it gives employees more autonomy and control over work. This empowers employees by contributing to a greater sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to increased job satisfaction.

While giving people the choice to manage their work is good, businesses should also ensure the connection to office life is strong. This means introducing quality AV technology for online meetings and configuring the space for a reduced workforce.

For in-office days, consider introducing unassigned zones and anchor points for teams. This supports collaborative tasks and encourages employees to engage in informal, impromptu conversations that strengthen connections.

If you’re not sure how to optimise your space for this, consult the help of an office interior designer. They will help you create a suitable space plan that includes a range of collaborative settings.

How to Boost Team Morale Through Office Design – The Final Takeaway

While the AXA data shows that employees are struggling, this article shows that there are plenty of ways to combat low morale. Here are our key takeaways:

• Facilitate Morale-Boosting Initiatives and Communication – Firstly, it’s important to combine great office design with morale-boosting initiatives and interactions to make employees happier. Think about how your workplace design can facilitate team gatherings and one-on-one meetings, as these provide places where you can express gratitude and recognise success.
• Encourage Connection Building – Secondly, consider how your workplace layout and furniture can help employees build meaningful connections. From breakout areas to team spaces to unassigned work settings, a variety of furniture can encourage spontaneous, in-person interactions.
• Create a Hospitable and Inspiring Space – Finally, make sure your office design is aesthetically appealing, as this creates a space where people want to spend their time. You can also use decorative elements like wall murals to communicate your mission statement to make people feel part of a larger goal.

If you start with these ideas, you’ll be on your way to creating a happier, more productive workspace. Combined with an uplifting and positive company culture, you can elevate your team’s performance to new heights.

Need Help with Your Office Fit Out?

Rap Interiors is a workplace design and build company with 30+ years’ experience. We specialise in helping businesses to creating inspirational office environments that bring out the best in employees.

To book a consultation, call 0333 600 1234 or fill out the enquiry form below.