Okay, so here’s something I never expected to become passionate about: workplace design. I mean, I’m the guy who spends weekends researching native plants for our backyard, not office layouts. But after seeing how much our home environment changes affected my kids’ focus and mood, I started noticing the same patterns at my own job.
My office used to be this typical corporate setup – fluorescent lights humming overhead, beige everything, one sad little window that looked out at the parking lot. I’d come home drained every day, and honestly thought that was just normal work life. Then our company moved to a new building, and everything changed.
The new space had these huge windows everywhere, actual plants (not plastic ones), and wood accents instead of all that sterile metal and plastic. I didn’t think much of it at first, but after a few weeks, I realized I wasn’t getting that 2pm energy crash anymore. I was sleeping better. My wife even mentioned I seemed less stressed when I got home to deal with the usual chaos of dinner and homework time with the kids.
That got me curious, so I did what I always do – fell down a research rabbit hole. Turns out there’s this whole concept called biophilic design that’s basically about bringing nature indoors. The term comes from biologist E.O. Wilson’s idea of “biophilia” – our natural connection to living things. It’s not just about making spaces look prettier; there’s actual science behind why natural elements make us feel and perform better.
**Why Natural Elements Actually Matter for Your Brain**
I found some fascinating research about how our brains respond to natural environments. We evolved outdoors, so when we’re stuck in artificial spaces with harsh lighting and no greenery, we’re basically fighting against our own biology. Studies show that exposure to natural light, plants, and organic materials can lower stress hormones, improve mood, and even boost cognitive function.
At my kids’ school, I’d noticed that classrooms with windows and plants seemed calmer than the interior rooms with just fluorescent lighting. Same principle applies to workplaces. When I mentioned this to my coworker who’s always complaining about feeling anxious at work, she started taking her lunch breaks outside by the trees in our parking lot. Made a real difference in her afternoon energy levels.
**The Creativity Connection**
Here’s something that really surprised me: natural environments don’t just make you feel better, they actually make you think better. I read about studies showing that people are more creative and better at problem-solving when they’re around natural elements.
We have these monthly planning meetings at work that used to drag on forever in our windowless conference room. After the move, we started meeting in a room that overlooks a small garden area. I swear our brainstorming sessions became more productive. People seemed to come up with ideas faster, and we weren’t all checking our phones every five minutes.
One of my coworkers mentioned that she’d moved her desk to face the window instead of the wall, and suddenly she was coming up with solutions to problems that had been stumping her for weeks. Seems simple, but apparently having a view of trees and sky really does something to your brain.
**Focus and Productivity Changes I Actually Noticed**
The biggest change for me was in concentration. In our old office, I’d constantly lose focus and make silly mistakes – typing errors, forgetting to follow up on emails, that kind of stuff. The new space with natural light and plants somehow made it easier to stay on task.
I tracked my productivity for a few weeks out of curiosity (yeah, I’m that kind of nerd), and I was getting about 25% more work done in the same amount of time. Fewer mistakes too. It wasn’t like I was trying harder – the environment was just working with me instead of against me.
My wife thought I was imagining things until I showed her articles about research proving that workers in spaces with natural light and views of nature consistently perform better and report higher job satisfaction.
**Simple Ways to Bring Nature to Work (Even on a Budget)**
Not everyone gets lucky with a company-wide office redesign, but there are tons of small changes that can make a real difference. After getting obsessed with this topic, I started sharing ideas with other parents in my network who were dealing with stress at their own jobs.
**Making the Most of Natural Light**
This is probably the biggest game-changer and often the cheapest to implement. If you have any say in where your workspace is located, try to get near a window. When my company let us rearrange our desks, I moved mine so I get morning sunlight – it’s like having a natural energy boost instead of relying on that third cup of coffee.
For parents working from home (which became a lot more common after the pandemic), positioning your desk near a window can help with those Zoom calls when the kids are being loud in the background. Natural light makes you look more awake and alert on camera, and the view outside gives your eyes somewhere to rest during long screen sessions.
If you’re stuck in a windowless space, even a daylight lamp can help. I got one for my home office during the dark winter months, and it definitely helps with that seasonal sluggishness.
**Plants That Actually Survive Office Life**
Adding plants seems obvious, but I learned the hard way that not all plants work in office environments. After killing a few expensive specimens at home, I did research on low-maintenance options that can handle inconsistent watering and artificial light.
Succulents are great starter plants – they actually prefer being ignored. Snake plants (also called mother-in-law’s tongue) are nearly indestructible and help clean the air. Pothos plants are forgiving and grow well in various light conditions. The CDC actually recommends plants as a strategy for healthier indoor air, which was news to me.
I started with a small succulent garden on my desk and gradually added larger plants as I figured out what worked. My kids think it’s cool that Dad’s office looks like a mini jungle now.
**Natural Materials and Colors That Work**
You don’t need a complete renovation to incorporate natural materials. I swapped out my plastic desk organizers for bamboo ones, added a wooden picture frame, and got a small stone paperweight. These tiny changes somehow made my workspace feel warmer and more comfortable.
Color matters too. I replaced some of the harsh white office supplies with earth tones – greens, browns, blues. It sounds minor, but these colors are actually calming and help you feel more grounded. Way better than the aggressive neon highlighters I used to have everywhere.
**Real Examples from Real People**
The best part about getting interested in this stuff is hearing from other parents and workers who’ve made similar changes. Here are some stories that really stuck with me:
**A Tech Company’s Transformation**
A parent in my kids’ school Facebook group works at a tech company that went all-in on biophilic design. They installed living walls (basically vertical gardens), added skylights, and used reclaimed wood for common areas. She said the change in workplace culture was dramatic – people seemed less stressed, more collaborative, and actually started eating lunch in the office instead of hiding at their desks.
The company’s productivity metrics improved enough that they’re rolling out similar designs to other locations. Turns out investing in employee wellbeing through better environments actually pays off financially.
**Small Business Solutions**
A friend who runs a small marketing agency couldn’t afford a major renovation, but they got creative with biophilic principles. They added plants throughout the office, hung nature photography on the walls, and rearranged furniture to maximize natural light from their one big window.
The changes cost less than $500 total, but employees reported feeling less cramped and irritable. Client meetings in the “green” conference room seemed to go more smoothly too. Sometimes small changes have surprisingly big impacts.
**My Home Office Evolution**
Working from home more during the pandemic forced me to really think about my home office environment. I’d set up a desk in our basement initially – cheap, out of the way, quiet. But I found myself dreading going down there to work.
After learning about biophilic design, I moved my setup to a corner of our living room that gets great morning light and has a view of our backyard garden. Added a few plants, swapped the metal desk for a wooden one, and introduced some natural textures.
The productivity difference was immediate. I was more focused during work hours and less stressed when transitioning to family time. My kids could see me working in a space that felt like part of our home instead of hidden away in a cave.
**Getting Started in Your Own Workspace**
If you’re interested in trying some of these ideas, here’s how I’d suggest starting:
**Assess What You’re Working With**
Look at your current space honestly. How much natural light do you get? Where could you add plants? What artificial elements could you replace with natural alternatives? I made a simple list and prioritized the easiest changes first.
**Start Small and Build Up**
Don’t try to transform everything at once. I began with one plant and better positioning of my desk. Once I saw how much difference that made, I got motivated to try other changes. Small wins keep you going.
**Get Input from Others**
If you’re in a shared workspace, talk to your coworkers about what bothers them about the environment. You might find allies who want to chip in on some plants or rearranging furniture. Group efforts often work better than going solo.
**Focus on Wellbeing**
The whole point is feeling better at work so you can be more present with your family when you
David is a dad of two who started caring about design after realizing how much their home environment affected his kids’ moods and sleep. He writes about family-friendly, budget-friendly ways to bring natural light, plants, and outdoor play back into everyday life.
