It may sound odd, but there’s never been a better time to reimagine your workspace.

Your space might work. It may be functional. But is it a great space?

That’s the key difference between good and great work. You and your employees or students should be as comfortable and productive as can be, and that starts with a space that’s designed well, has the right furniture and is safe for all who are using it.

So let’s dive into the anatomy of a great workspace. This applies to the traditional office, which may be preparing to bring employees back (or needs to adjust on the fly). It can also apply to schools continuing to adapt and enhance a hybrid learning model or socially distanced classroom.

Finally, it’s applicable to the home office—which so many people had to construct quickly when the pandemic hit early last year. Many companies are giving workers the option to continue working remotely, placing an emphasis on improving their existing space or building a new one altogether.

 

Focus on You and Your Needs for an Individual Space

Did you find yourself working from home for an extended period of time? Are you still working at home?

You’re in a similar situation to countless Americans, juggling the uncertainty of an ongoing pandemic with the need to get work done—and remain productive. We’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: the distribution of need-to-know WFH information wasn’t ready to meet the moment, and a lot of people are playing catch-up.

Working from kitchen tables, the couch, even your bed...these are practices that simply don’t support great work. That’s why, in your individual workspace, great work starts with great furniture.

What is the “right” furniture, you may ask? It’s a combination of pieces that supports prolonged sitting, height-adjustable workstations that enable you to get up and about during the day, and a chair that is ergonomic and supportive.

Beyond the nuts and bolts of furniture, the look and feel of your space can contribute to better work. Vibrant colors and patterns, mood-lifting design...you can take it from there.

Great Work and a Great Space Can Also Mean “Together”

It’s simply not true that the best work is done in solitude.

We think collaborative, engaging spaces produce ideas and stimulate a sense of camaraderie that you can’t get sitting at a desk all day—and while it’s different right now than in “normal” times, it can still be done.

If your teams are slowly coming back to the office, or haven’t yet returned, start with a simple question: how will they be gathering?

Your traditional conference rooms won’t see the same level of activity as before. Meetings will likely be smaller. And most teamwork will occur in open-air areas that may or may not be conducive to collaboration— and that’s where you can enact change.

We believe a great team workspace begins with thoughtful design. The space should include touchdown areas that are socially distanced but are still inviting—inspiring colors and textures are key.

Comfortable seating is crucial; HON’s West Hill collection and Astir Collaborative Work collection are two excellent options for creating a “together” space that people want to be in and use to produce great work.

The community workspace, in this context, should inspire and motivate employees. That’s the first step on a pathway to happiness and productivity in a particular space.

To learn more about HON’s portfolio of solutions geared toward better work, please visit hon.com.