Having plants in the office benefits everyone…
There’s a lot to be said for having indoor plants in the workplace. Not only do they brighten the place up and look pretty, they also bring other benefits too.
Diane Hall
Copied
There’s a lot to be said for having indoor plants in the workplace. Not only do they brighten the place up and look pretty, they also bring other benefits too.
They help to promote calm
Plants can help people feel more connected to the environment and ultimately feel more peaceful in the workplace. Health gurus promote the importance of taking a walk amongst nature in our lunch breaks; however, this isn’t always practical or possible. The next best thing is to bring elements of nature into the office. Seeing a bit of greenery as you work can have similar effects to a walk in the park—plants help to reduce stress and they make us feel more positive. They make us want to stay in their space for longer, too, which is good news for all employers out there.
They’re good for the air?
Plants, by their very nature, convert the carbon dioxide in the air into oxygen, which makes them a natural purifier in theory. Studies show that this is, unfortunately, untrue—if they do have any influence on the air, it’s negligible. However, experts suggest that whilst, scientifically, this isn’t true, our brains still believe it to be the case, which is no bad thing when working in a stuffy, cramped office space.
They’re good for our well-being
Research has also shown a link between happier employees and office plants. They increase our focus and productivity within the workplace and have a positive effect on our well-being.
They can make an uninspiring place inspiring
There are very few offices or workspaces that could be described as aesthetically-pleasing. Most have an industrial feel, bland décor and lots of hard edges. Plants create the same effect as soft furnishings do in the home: they dilute the hard angles of architecture, absorb some of the space’s acoustics and make drab interiors more interesting.
They can help balance a lack of natural light
Some office spaces are part of converted buildings rather than purpose-built units, and as a result, they may not have any windows or they enjoy very little natural light. Plants can help to alleviate stark surroundings by bringing the feeling of outside inside.
They’re energy influencers
Plants in the office can help to regulate humidity in the room and lower the temperature, if you have enough of them. This could reduce reliance on the air conditioning.
They afford a sense of privacy
Rather than having to stare at Odd Bob all day on a facing desk, plants provide a natural visual shield. Some offices use screens around desks to provide privacy; however, such divisions can be made with, or certainly enhanced by, plants.
These are just some of the benefits of the humble indoor plant—and they look nice, too! In recent years, the trend in office spaces has been to provide hard lines and accentuate architecture; whilst this may suggest modernity, it can make the surroundings seem stark and soulless to the people working there. Plants are an integral part to most interior designs, and their benefit is not just aesthetic, as shown above.
So, why not pull in a palm or drag in a dracaena to enhance your working space?
Want your article or story on our site? Contact us here
