Here we take a brief look at the eight most important things you need to get right if your employees are going to be happy and your business is going to have the best chance of booming.
Get these basics right and you build a strong base. You can take your design a step further by catering for every type of mind, which we cover below. If you want help turning the list into a real plan, our office interior design team can map it to your space.
1. Comfy chairs
If your staff are spending most of their day sitting down, their comfort needs to be your priority. A great chair with the right ergonomics improves posture, reduces the risk of physical problems like back pain, and simultaneously increases comfort and productivity.
2. Practical desks
Desks need to be able to deal with everything you throw at them. They need to have space for all your stuff and be compatible with all of your tech. They also need to be good for you physically. For this reason, sit-stand desks have become much more popular in recent years.
3. Refreshments
In surveys looking at workplace contentment, 85% of employees said that having easy access to tea, coffee and cold drinks throughout the day was hugely important to them. So, take the time to make sure your refreshments area is well-stocked and welcoming - it's an easy way to show your staff you value them, and one that will come back at you tenfold.
4. The right temperature
An office that's always either too hot or too cold is one of the most common annoyances for UK workers. Unfortunately, it's one of the hardest things for employees to get right as people have different preferences. The best solution is to have hot-desk possibilities where staff can move to different areas of the building if they need to.
5. Equipment that works
Three out of every four employees in the UK admits to feelings of frustration and anger when equipment they need to do their job doesn't work. There is also a direct relationship between faulty equipment and poor productivity.
6. Bathroom comfort
If you're having new loos fitted, please consider having real walls between toilet cubicles rather than flimsy pieces of wood with gaps at the bottom. According to statistics, around half of UK staff don't feel comfortable going to the loo unless they have a comfortable soundproof space. It might not sound like a big deal but, if it means your staff might be in a rush to get home, it is.
7. Natural light
The World Green Building Council claims that employees that work near sunlight are 15% more productive than those that don't. Although you can't guarantee sunlight, you can make efforts to ensure your workspace has as much natural light as possible. Natural light has been proven beyond doubt to be hugely important for wellbeing and health.
8. Amenities
Local food and drink options is another important factor for employee happiness. If you happen to be in a location that's not well-served by a variety of cafés and grocery shops, it's probably a good idea to strike a deal with restaurants that are happy to deliver.
The ninth requirement: neuro-inclusive office design for every brain
Comfort basics matter, but the best modern offices go further. They design for neurodiversity, which means planning for the range of ways people think, focus and process the world around them, including staff who are autistic, dyslexic, or have ADHD. UK fit-out firms saw a sharp rise in 2025 in employers asking to adapt their space for neurodivergent staff.
Offer a range of settings
One open-plan layout does not suit everyone. Give people a choice of low-stimulation quiet zones for deep focus and livelier spaces for teamwork. A range of space types is now seen as a core office asset, not a nice extra.
Control sound and light
Acoustics and lighting are the two factors that matter most for sensory comfort. Soft finishes, acoustic panels and adjustable lighting reduce strain for everyone. Our office wellbeing consultancy can help you get the balance right.
Keep layouts clear
Predictable layouts and clear signs help people move around without stress. When we delivered the workspace for legal firm, Siddall Jones, zoning quiet and social areas was central to the brief. A good office fit out bakes this in from day one.
Support from Experts
The more of the above you get right, the happier your workforce will be. The happier your workforce are, the harder they work. If changes need to be made, it's definitely worth your while to make them, as investing in your staff is the best investment there is.
For support designing an office that boosts productivity and employee wellbeing, contact Flow Office.
Sources
Rise in neurodiversity awareness sparks demand for more inclusive office designs (Penguin PR, 2025)
Why neuro-inclusive design is becoming a core office asset (Building, 2025)
