If you don’t already have plants in your office, then it’s definitely something you should consider. After all, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, we spend about 90% of our time indoors. Therefore, adding plants to your business will bring the outside indoors and benefit your employees physically and psychologically.
While the idea of biophilic design has been around for centuries the way we design our offices today lacks living things. This lack of natural elements causes physical and mental stress, resulting in decreased productivity and creativity. Therefore, adding plants to your business will bring the outside in and benefit your employees and your business. With just the initial cost and regular TLC, the return on investment will be so much more than you can imagine.
If your business is located in Southeast Wisconsin, in the areas of New Berlin, Waukesha, Muskego, West Allis, or Milwaukee, contact Nolan Accounting for your tax prep, payroll, accounting, and bookkeeping needs.
Below, we’ll explore 6 ways office plants can benefit your business.
6 Ways Office Plants Benefit Your Business
1. Increase Productivity
Research shows that offices that incorporate natural elements have a 6% higher productivity rate and 15% greater well-being than those that do not include natural elements. By adding greenery to your workspace, you restore focus and attention.
Consider placing one plant every 5 feet or so to improve performance and memory retention.
2. Improve Health and Purify Air
A clean environment is beneficial for every office. Unfortunately, indoor air quickly becomes stale and polluted- but a few plants can purify the air. According to NASA, plants absorb harmful toxins, especially in areas with little to no airflow- proving they are ideal air purifiers. They are natural, therapeutic, and cost-effective. Plants work best when there is no air conditioner, consider turning it off whenever possible.
This will, in turn, decrease signs of poor health such as nose/eye irritation, fatigue, dry skin, and more. When you provide your employees with fresh, clean air, they will be healthier and more comfortable, which will reduce their sick days.
Consider involving your employees in choosing the plants they’d prefer to have on their desks. This way, they have options, and every desk has a plant.
3. Reduce Stress
The happiness of your employees is closely associated with their stress levels. While it’s true that every job has positives and negatives, if there’s too much demand or people are too overwhelmed, they burn out and ultimately quit. According to one study, adding plants to the workspace significantly reduces stress. The results were as follows:
- 58% reduction in depression
- 44% reduction in anger
- 38% reduction in fatigue
- 37% reduction in tension and anxiety
Consider creating an area where your employees can go to relax. This should include plenty of natural light, soothing music, and plants.
4. Reduce Noise
In outdoor spaces, plants and trees have been used for some time to block out traffic and urban noises. The same concept works indoors as well- they can be used to keep noise and conversation to a minimum. You can make a significant difference in noise level by placing some large potted plants in the corners/edges of the room. Consider adding green walls to increase focus, reduce distracting noises, and create separation between desks.
5. Increase Creativity
According to statistics, workspaces that incorporate natural elements have 15% increased productivity over those that do not. After all, nature is relaxing and shifts our brain into a different processing mode- which improves concentration. Research also indicates that the color green can also improve innovation and productivity- and red increases it. Therefore, reduce red décor and increase green. Consider looking into the attention restoration theory to learn more.
6. Creates an Inviting Atmosphere
If you believe that your office needs more energy, consider adding some green mood-boosters. By varying the sizes and types of plants, you can revive the atmosphere and create a connection to nature. Finding ways to add living elements to the workspace is more than just a trend. It will help to improve the way you work and feel while working. If you’re not sure how to do this, consider contacting a design expert to help. They will be able to work with you to create a beautiful, productive, and profitable workspace.
Conclusion
As you can see, plants are highly beneficial for your business in a variety of ways. They increase productivity, which will, in turn, create a more profitable business.
Nolan Accounting can help businesses in Southeast Wisconsin with their accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax prep needs. We serve businesses primarily in the areas of New Berlin, Waukesha, Muskego, West Allis, and Milwaukee.