Plantscaping Breathes New Life And Air Quality Into Corporate Spaces

Let’s face it — corporate spaces are sometimes harsh, cold landscapes filled with high tech and hard plastic. Figuring out how to make office space homier, while also keeping it functional, is challenging. One action that a surprising number of companies have embraced is moving toward plantscaping corporate spaces.

Sure, a few of your co-workers with coveted window offices might have plants on their windowsills and the lobby might be filled with potted plants, but a lack of green indoors impacts everything from air quality to the overall satisfaction workers feel while at the office. A focused effort on bringing life into the modern office has a positive impact on both design and employee well-being.

Benefits of Plantscaping

There is plenty of evidence to suggest there are measurable benefits to plantscaping corporate spaces:

• Aesthetically pleasing: Plants break up the harsh surroundings of computers, desks and sterile walls and floors. A few strategically placed potted plants change the entire atmosphere of a reception area.
• Better air quality: Adding plants improves air quality. Some types of plants even help clean the air.
• Happier employees: One study showed that in spaces with interior plants but no windows, 69 percent of the workers still felt happy. Plants can fill the gap when you lack views.
• Attract younger workers: About 31 percent of houseplant sales in 2016 were to millennials. They enjoy having green space and are willing to put the time and effort into caring for plants.
• Improved productivity: Interior plantscaping raises productivity by as much as 12 percent and creativity by 6 percent, allowing workers to get more done simply by having plants around.

These are just a few of the positives of having more green in your corporate spaces. You’ll also cut down on noise by adding in plants to mute some of the sounds bouncing off hard surfaces.

Ideas for Adding Greenscapes

If your corporate space feels stuffy and outdated, talk to a plantscape artist about the best way to jazz things up with plants.

Here are a few ideas for adding plants to your office atmosphere:

• Biophilic design is on the rise and builds nature into buildings, including elements such as a green walls, water features, and numerous plants.
• Encourage workers to bring their own plants for their desks or gift workers with small potted plants that do well in the lighting your corporate space provides. If you plan the layout and the gifts well, you can even create bursts of color throughout the building.
• Add large, built-in pots. If you have a small waiting room that is set off with half walls, choose a stone wall with space on top to hold dirt and plants. You could even plant grass and keep it manicured.
• Those lucky enough to design a building from scratch should include natural light through the ceiling, large windows, and places for grass and plants, including trees, throughout the building.

Whether you just add a few potted plants or you create an entirely new design that brings the outside inside, your employees will appreciate the improved atmosphere and benefits to their health and productivity.

A Couple of Concerns

There are a few things to keep in mind as you add more life to your office. First, some people are allergic to plants. Use caution and consult with a horticulturalist to choose plants that most people are not allergic to before you move forward with plantscaping corporate spaces.

Any type of plant needs regular upkeep, or your office could quickly look neglected. Fortunately, you can hire services to come in and care for your plants, making sure they always look their best.

Platscaping Corporate Spaces Is Well Worth The Effort

Adding plants to your office is definitely worth the effort for the added air quality benefits alone. Your employees will breathe healthier air and have fewer sick days. Even more important, though, is the atmosphere in the office. People spend 40 or more hours a week in your building. They should feel comfortable and happy while they’re there, and plants are a great way to make them feel more at home.