How can commercial interior design be used to boost creativity in the workplace?

Creating a conducive environment with elements like collaboration spaces, private nooks, and inspiring visuals can enhance creativity. Consider incorporating colors, textures, and natural elements to transform your space. Interior designers can help bring a beautiful vision to life by understanding the connection between energy, inner peace, and creativity. Highlighting a workplace's brand identity through personalized interior design not only inspires pride but also boosts productivity and morale. Emphasizing a connection between employees and their company within the physical workspace enhances the overall work atmosphere, fostering a sense of belonging and motivation.

Opt for open floor plans with designated areas for focused work, brainstorming, and collaboration. Encourage movement and adaptability with furniture on wheels, writable walls, and reconfigurable spaces. Provide quiet nooks for individual reflection, creative lounges for informal gatherings, and even outdoor terraces for a change of scenery. Maximize natural light through windows and skylights, or use strategic task lighting to create different moods and atmospheres.

Here are some great ways to get more creative in your office or commercial space: 1. Consider the layout of your work space- is it still working as well as it could be? For instance consider these things: A.) Are members of groups that need to collaborate able to do so with ease (and without leaving their desk or work area?) B. Are there dedicated spaces available for small 'spur of the moment' meetings, or brain storming sessions? (we set up small zoom rooms & 3-4 person gathering spots often.) 2. Ask your team for their feedback. They know better than anyone if their needs are being met and you will gain valuable insights (as well as points for caring enough to ask!)

Love that Google and others mentioned in the article recognize the importance of enhancing the office experience through embracing creativity. I would add that it’s a great idea to have an internal EMPLOYEE ART CONTEST. Invite all employees to submit Art that is curated by external curators and then hang the winning artworks in different areas within the company. Large companies sometimes spend millions on Art but it’s a good idea and can be highly motivational to highlight the talents of employees.

After designing more than 4 million square feet of commercial spaces I can say that the biggest sticking points to success in this area these: Business owners and the C-suite invest heavily in functional workspaces, but often stop short in providing true cultural connection within their spaces. Often spaces completely lack a sense of integration with the outward facing brand which is an unfortunate missed opportunity to gain support (and dare I say even referrals) from your own employees. Afterall, the easiest way to recruit is by referral from existing happy employees :)

Its easy to reference huge companies with enormous budgets as good examples of design thinking, because they do a great job in this area. Small and emerging companies can get a running start at building their culture and brand by doing these 3 things: 1. Make sure your mission and vision for the business is clearly communicated so that the team understands the WHY behind their work. *A sense of purpose is hugely valuable!* 2. Listen to your teams feedback when it comes to things like distractions, discomfort, poor acoustics, bad ergonomics, lack of choice in where to work within the office. Too many workspaces are designed by people who assume they know what their team needs without asking them. 3. Have some fun while with your design!

Commercial environments require special selections of furniture, flooring, appliances and more. Assuming that you can build a budget by shopping online will pose a difficult hurdle, since commercial/contract grade items can be more of a financial investment. Why? Because commercial and contract grade items and built to withstand the demands and code requirements of a public-facing space. Make sure you work with a reputable design and furniture firm to ensure your selections (as well as your budget expectations) are in alignment to avoid frustrations later.