Designing creative workspaces to spark creativity at work

The previous couple of decades have allowed us to realize that creativity, as an innate human ability to solve problems and generate ideas, is the fuel for innovation.
Supporting creativity at work has nowadays become very imortant for business development and growth. 

 Ways to Make Your Office Feel More Creative 

The arrangement of your office can do a lot to increase creativity, so it’s no surprise that successful companies also have fun and liberating work environments.  If you want to bring your workplace into the 21st century, here's how you can cultivate a great creative office space that will truly inspire your employees.

1-Cultivate a lively environment

Lively offices can inspire creative thinking and give employees that new perspective they need when they're stuck. In order to create ideas between departments, have office spaces that allow people from different areas to work .This is why it’s important to also give your employees extra rooms where they can get away and get down to work.

2-Make it bright and healthy

Creativity comes to a stop when you’re stressed and your mind is in fight-or-flight mode. Spaces that are bright, vibrant, and healthy are much more mentally stimulating and can actually reduce tension . Adding live plants, plenty of windows, and sunlight rays to reduce workplace stress and cultivate a creative mindset.

3- Include flexible spaces and common areas 

Since most office works now takes place on laptops, you can throw out the old "one desk, one employees" model. Take in consider including big tables, smaller desks, break out spaces and movable desks to cater to even your most restless employees.

4-Add touches of inspiration

Items such as art pieces, paintings and photos can do a lot more to get creative juices flowing inside the company. While choosing what to add to your office space, think of how each object will contribute to your company culture and highlight the values you want to bring to light. By simply adding art pieces and other inspirational objects to your office, you will help to encourage new ways of thinking among your workers.

5-Reduce clutter or mess

They say a disorderly desk means a confused mind, which isn't always good for creativity. Make sure the things you’re bringing into your office still promote a feeling of space and openness. By having clean and tidy spaces, you’ll give your workers space to breathe and feel relaxed, which is definitely contributing to creativity.

6-Create a play room

Some companies include a play room in their office where their employees can take a break, relax and have fun. Being able to play not only gives you a break from your stressful day, but also provides an open space to take your mind off work and interact with different team members. You would be surprised what kind of creative ideas can come from a  quick game session or a shared cup of coffee with your subordinates.

7-Have an open door policy

If your managers and head decision-makers have their own offices, implement an open door policy. This will encourage your employees to share their ideas instead of keeping them hidden. Creativity is all about the free-flow of ideas after all, you never come to know who is going to have the next revolutionary idea for your company's future.

8-Add a splash of color

Color isn’t just important to your branding. It’s important for your office too. Different colors will actually influence how people feel. For instance, colors like black and red suggest power and dominance, while, colors like orange and blue can stimulate creative thinking. Choose the color scheme of your office accordingly or experiment with different colors to set different moods for each room in your office.

9- Create a unique office environment - 

Employees are more likely to fit into a company that gives them a one-of-a-kind experience.So, offer facilities such as snooker tables, monthly massages and sandwich stations at work and watch the environment transform.All it takes is just a little creativity and most companies now have similiar perks todays.

10 -Establish a work-life balance -

employees are all about striking the right balance between work and play. Sure they want to be successful , but they're not willing to give up on quality of life in pursuit of that goal. In fact 80 percent of them believe loyalty to a company comes from a flexible work situation , in which they are encouraged to spend time to pursue a passion outside of work.To this end, a reasonably generous leave policy, permission to work from home where life situations demand, and fun outings allow your people to cool off.

11- Encourage employee growth and development - 

You can choose to be a detached and impersonal employer, or you can show dedication and impersonal employer, or you can show dedication to your people by encouraging their growth at every levels of their careers. Take an active interest in our people's personal and professional development by offering an employee driven learning series and company - sponsored courses for upskilling and improvement. Invest in your people because there development means development of your company.

There are companies who are having creative workspaces are -

1- Google
The best thing about Google’s workspace is that you can basically throw out your ideas anywhere and anytime. You can write on the tables, walls and even reconfigure the tables to be in any position you want because everything is on wheels.

2-Dreamwork animations
DreamWorks Animations has been continuously noted as one of the most innovative companies in the world, with a 97 percent retention rate for employees.
Its workspaces are equipped with many different elements ranging from exercise areas to a well-stocked kitchen area. Every floor has its own dining space full of snacks, a perfect place for foodies! There are yoga and kickboxing classes as well as Monday night movie screenings for employees’ relaxation

3- Zappos
Zappos have been relying on reducing the size of their workspaces to increase collaboration among employees. With the aim of increasing the number of probable interactions per hour per acre, Zappos decided to change its headquarters from 150 square feet per employee to just 100.

Research from the University of Michigan found that a small, shared nature of workspaces will foster mobility, creating collusions on a greater scale. Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh believes that companies designed on this model will be more productive and innovative.