Not every company can enjoy the privilege of having its own yard or garden, which is why if your business has it, you should do all that you can to make sure it is as aesthetically pleasing as possible, and that it engages your not just your customers and clients, but also your employees. Here are some benefits of having a well-landscaped yard for your place of work:
- It will help increase employee productivity because studies show that a green office can motivate employees to work harder and provide them with more energy they need to do well throughout the day. A stunning yard will also provide them with an escape if they need a break from the monotonous day-to-day office life.
- It communicates professionalism to your customers and clients. It shows that your company cares about keeping things organized, clean, and well-maintained.
If you are lucky enough to have a yard for your company’s headquarters, here are some creative landscaping ideas and tips for exploring.
Design the front entrance to be as welcoming as possible
If your office has a welcoming spirit from the get-go, it sets the stage for the rest of your office’s atmosphere and environment. Make this area pop by planting some vibrant flowers. Keep the bushes well-maintained and trimmed every season. Find ways to flank the entrance with large, trendy planters so that your employees and guests feel like they’re walking a special path before entering your place of work.
Make sure the signage is visible
If you want your company logo to be front and center in the front yard, make sure the logo is prominent and visible for everyone who’s entering the property. Surround the signage with verdant and attractive landscaping with pretty grasses, vibrant flowers, and bright spring bulbs planted around it. Just make sure that everything is planted low so that the shrubs and flowers don’t obstruct your logo.
Invest in a high-quality fence
As much as you want the property to look welcoming, you also want to ensure that it remains safe from people who might want to cause harm or from wild animals who might be roaming the area. Invest in the best composite fencing to ensure extra durability. The best part about these types of fences is that they are long-lasting and require little to no maintenance since they’re already resistant to rot and insect infestation, remaining as clean and beautiful as possible for decades, if not years. It’s one of the many pros of opting for composite wood for fencing.
Dedicate a space for outdoor living
Outdoor living spaces are always a good idea, whether for a residential property or a commercial one. We as human beings need to be exposed to fresh air and sunlight—and these are privileges that we as employees don’t often have when we’re stuck in the office from nine to five every single day. Adding a comfortable seating area will help increase collaboration and camaraderie among your team, too. Here are some tips for designing a gorgeous yet still optimal outdoor living space for your office’s yard:
- You can opt for picnic tables or something more permanent, like built-in sitting walls.
- Make sure it’s still somewhat shaded so that your employees have the option of taking their lunch here without having to worry about intense sunlight. You can do these through shrubs, trees, or large-scale planters—it doesn’t always have to be a roof or tent of some kind.
- Ask your landscape architect to incorporate fragrant plants and flowers in the outdoor living area so that it offers a pleasant scent in the air no matter the season.
- If you are opting for a living room type of outdoor space, make sure to inundate it with items that can add a touch of homeyness and coziness, like throws, fuzzy blankets, area rugs, candles, and more fluffy pillows. Since you and your team might still be adjusting to the traditional work setup, many of you might miss the comfort of your homes, and a living room-like setup for your outdoor living space might give you and your employees the same feeling and atmosphere of working from home.
There are no two ways about it: Our living environments can greatly impact our mental health, productivity, level of energy, and overall well-being. Designing your office yard might be additional work (not to mention the costs). But if it can help boost you and your team’s general health and well-being, it might be an investment and effort worth taking.