Your physical environment has an enormous impact on your ability to focus, productivity and satisfaction.

And even the seemingly small changes can pack a punch. Here are five easy ways to create maximum impact with a minimal budget.

1. A splash of colour

Did you know that colour can improve productivity at work?

Bold splashes of colour can inspire creativity and are a cost-effective way to elevate the look of a space.

But colour also has an extraordinary ability to influence emotions and perceptions. In fact, specific colours, or groups of colours, tend to get a similar reaction from people. And the right choices have been shown to improve concentration, happiness, and stress levels in the workplace.

For instance, greens and blues – one of Mother Nature’s most harmonious colour combos – are popular picks for the workplace. They both have a calming effect and have been associated with reduced stress, improved efficiency and focus. Yellow, on the other hand, is fresh and brings a sense of energy. It’s believed to boost innovation and is often used in creative environments.

So, if your office is a shade of dull grey, perhaps it’s time for a splash of colour!

2. Add some texture

In interior design, texture refers to the surface quality of a material. It influences the tone and weight of a room and is commonly used to add depth and evoke our senses.

For one, texture adds visual interest to a space. It holds your gaze and draws your eye to particular areas or details. It can be used to zone an open area or to highlight different surfaces and planes. Layering textures can also bring a unique dimension to a room; adding detail and a subtle sense of depth.

Texture can also be tactile – appealing to our sense of touch by being rough, smooth, sticky, fuzzy, soft or slick. And this can evoke your senses through light and shadow, which, together, can make you want to reach out and touch the object or evoke memories of a similar texture that you have felt before. By introducing the right texture into a design, we may evoke an emotion from the user of the space.

3. Inject some greenery

A splash of greenery in the office improves air quality, elevates wellbeing and can boost workplace productivity by 15%!

That’s because common indoor plants can remove pollutants from the air, introduce beneficial bacteria to a synthetic office environment, and help connect people with nature.

Plants also look great and can inject a bit of life and colour into your workplace. So, what are you waiting for; get cracking and bring the outside in!

But be sure to do your research on the best hypoallergenic choices. And, while you’re at it, consider creating a list that details the flowers and plants that employees are allowed to bring in to eliminate or reduce the risk of allergic reactions in the office.

4. Let the natural light flood in

Research shows that natural light in the office improves worker happiness and productivity. That’s because it helps regulate the body’s natural sleep-wake schedules.

It’s also been associated with other great benefits, including reduced eye strain, headaches and drowsiness, improved mood and lower energy costs.

So, wherever possible, harness the power of natural light in your office by:

• Bringing natural light to heavily used areas (think workstations)
• Using light, matte finishes on walls, which can brighten up a space and reflect light more effectively
• Introducing diffused light through things like frosted glass and diffuser screens

And if your workspace gets very little natural sunlight (or nothing at all), simulate it using artificial means, like under-cabinet lighting, adding mirrors that reflect light and opting for white walls.

5. Keep things flexible

Gone are the days of the cubicle. Modern offices need to be versatile to allow companies to scale up or down or move in a different trajectory.

So, keep things dynamic by opting for lightweight, moveable furniture and walls. This will help keep your work environment flexible; easily customised for focused or creative work, relaxation, special events and collaborative tasks.