Workspaces With Soul: How Design Drives Belonging And Productivity

How inclusive design elements and employee input can turn office spaces into hubs of joy and engagement

Hybrid work and return-to-office mandates are on the rise, sparking new ideas on how to create a productive workspace that prioritizes employee well-being and happiness. In recent years, the way we connect and interact has undergone a major change—none more significant than the transformation in how we work. There are now fewer moments to engage and develop social bonds as people can do daily activities like shopping and working out without stepping foot outside. The office is one of the few remaining places where people regularly communicate face-to-face.  
 
This presents a huge opportunity to build rapport and trust with colleagues as it allows for impromptu brainstorming sessions that can’t happen in scheduled Zoom calls. By providing a space that gives coworkers opportunities for conversations, they become more comfortable with each other and garner a sense of belonging. And with a sense of belonging comes an uptick in productivity. In fact, in a recent HED study on their own office spaces, 76% of individuals shared a strong agreement on the workplace supporting their connection with colleagues, with 92% expressing strong productivity in the workplace.  

The key to creating joy in the workplace is to foster a level of social connection where employees feel a strong sense of belonging. By ensuring employees feel welcome and included in the space, they will feel—and perform—their best. Here are a few low-lift ways companies can design their office spaces to inspire more meaningful connections: 

Incorporate Your Mission into Design Elements 

To start curating a sense of belonging, employees first need to understand what they are a part of. This means clearly communicating the company’s mission, values, and the positive impact of everyone’s work. When employees see how their daily work supports the bigger picture, they start to feel connected to that mission because they see how their contribution makes a positive impact.  
 
Instead of saying your company’s mission on repeat, show it. Designate display areas for team achievements and stories about the people your company is impacting. Use visual storytelling elements, like wall murals, infographics, testimonials or large-scale quotes, to show that the office is not just a place of work but a place of purpose. Reinforce these stories with branded elements to create a cohesive and recognizable visual identity to help connect these stories to your brand. 

Create Casual Collisions 

An engaging workplace is more than just a place where people sit at desks all day. Social spaces that encourage gathering, personal interaction, and knowledge sharing are essential to any human-centric workplace. Coffee and snacks provide an opportunity for mingling and spontaneous conversations. Incorporating tables or booths within the kitchen can transform lunch breaks and create inviting spots for quick huddles throughout the day.  
 
It's also important to remember that furniture will have an impact on the mood. Sitting down for a one-on-one meeting across a desk in a private office will have a different tone than sitting together around a coffee table. These settings will result in two different conversations—one that’s more formal and one that allows for a deeper, more meaningful interaction. Don’t overlook critical elements such as lighting, acoustics, or ergonomics and the role they play in influencing ambiance. Studies have shown that these conditions can impact productivity, focus, and well-being. 
 
By creating a mix of settings, like quiet focus spaces and more comfortable, casual areas with natural lighting, companies can empower people to choose the type of environment they want to have for the work they need to complete, which gives them greater agency and satisfaction in how they use the workspace.  

Recognize that Everyone Works in a Different Way 

A one-size-fits-all approach to office design is no longer effective. Employees have varying spatial needs depending on the task at hand. Some may require huddle rooms to collaborate without disrupting the wider office, while others need quiet, single-person focus rooms to find a state of flow and individually dive deep into work. And as virtual meetings have become a routine part of the workday, the right technology setup has increasingly become an ante to play for connection and productivity. 
 
Creating an ecosystem of work settings to support an individual throughout their day goes beyond simply supplying the right tools or spaces for day-to-day tasks, it allows employees to make a personal choice to inhabit the space that feels best. Giving these options that allow for a spectrum of secluded and communal spaces assists employees in exploring which area they learn and work best instead of being told to sit at an assigned desk.    

Inspire Creativity  

Research from Harvard Business School has shown that creativity can foster growth, encourage innovation, boost productivity, and allow for adaptability. Art, color, and aesthetics all influence our creativity, and every workplace, regardless of the industry, can benefit from a well-designed space. When looking at artwork or design elements to include, make sure to source from the local culture. This celebration of the local aesthetic further grounds employees in a sense of belonging to not only the company but the community they are a part of. Encourage employees to showcase their own personal talents and hobbies with photography or painting to add a unique and creative flare to the workplace. 

Include Employees in the Design Process 

When working on design aspects that will affect everyone, it’s crucial for all employees to have a seat at the table and contribute to final decisions. Surveys are one way to determine not only how engaged and productive employees feel when they’re in an office but also what elements can be improved to increase overall comfort and employee well-being. The most important part of the survey process is to listen deeply to the feedback and not let responses fall into a black hole—which can do more harm than good in terms of employee engagement.  
 
Companies may not get it right the first time when implementing new ideas, but they can always pivot to different ideas if something isn’t working. Either way, it shows that they are listening to and acting on the feedback they receive. By involving employees in the design process and validating their suggestions, they’ll feel more invested and be larger advocates for the workplace, which contributes to a stronger sense of belonging to the company.  
 
When employees have autonomy and experience a workplace centered on purpose and function, they feel empowered and at ease. Thoughtful design—that contributes to visual storytelling and accounts for the different ways employees work—creates a sense of belonging and fosters the social connection needed to help them feel joy in the workplace.  

Sarah Davis is a Workplace Strategist at HED, where she helps clients across industries design innovative and effective work environments. With a track record of leading complex projects, she brings valuable insights and shapes positive workplace cultures.