Half of UK Offices Are Holding Back Productivity Through Poor Workplace Design
- Jonathan H. Westover, PhD
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Half of UK offices are quietly sabotaging productivity due to poor workplace design, according to new industry insight.
Outdated layouts, harsh lighting and a lack of flexible spaces are leaving workers distracted, uncomfortable and less motivated, at a time when businesses are under growing pressure to get more from their teams.
Hannah Prescott at Diamond Interiors says many offices simply have not kept pace with how people actually work today.
“Too many UK workplaces are designed around old habits rather than modern needs,” said Hannah Prescott at Diamond. “When staff are stuck in noisy, poorly lit or inflexible spaces, it directly impacts focus, morale and output.”
With hybrid working now firmly embedded, employees expect offices to offer something their home set-up cannot. Instead, many are returning to environments that feel tired and impractical.
“People are coming into the office for collaboration, creativity and connection,” Prescott said. “If the space does not support that, the office quickly becomes a barrier rather than a benefit.”
One of the biggest issues is a one-size-fits-all approach. Rows of identical desks and constant background noise make it hard for staff to concentrate or switch between different tasks during the day.
“A well-designed office should give people choice,” Prescott said. “Quiet zones, collaborative areas and comfortable breakout spaces all play a role in helping employees work at their best.”
Lighting and air quality are also major factors being overlooked. Poor lighting can cause eye strain and fatigue, while stuffy rooms reduce alertness and energy levels.
“These details are often dismissed as minor, but they have a huge cumulative effect,” Prescott said. “Good lighting, fresh air and thoughtful layouts can significantly boost how people feel and perform at work.”
As competition for talent remains fierce, workplace design is becoming a key factor in attracting and retaining staff. Employees want to feel valued, and the office environment sends a clear message about how much a business cares.
“An office is a physical expression of company culture,” Prescott said. “When businesses invest in their space, they are also investing in their people.”
With productivity high on the agenda across the UK, experts warn that ignoring workplace design could prove costly.
“Half measures are no longer enough,” Prescott said. “If organizations want better results, they need offices that genuinely support the way people work today, not the way they worked ten years ago.”
Diamond Interiors is a leading provider of commercial workspace solutions. They work with businesses of all shapes and sizes that want to refurbish their existing offices or move to new premises.
