10 Reasons Facilities and Office Management Professionals Should Bring Live Plants into their Spaces

Did You Know?

Workers in office environments with natural plants as elements, such as greenery and sunlight report a 15% higher level of well-being, are 6% more productive, and are 15% more creative.

Source: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

Plants are Critical to any Interior Design – Why it matters

Our human nature wants to connect with the outdoors. Research indicates that interior landscaping is not only desirable, but a “must-do green initiative” to keep clients, tenants, and customers happy and healthy. If you’re not convinced of the power of green, consider the following conclusions collected from the last 30+ years of research into what impact plants can have on business:

Improve Productivity & Worker Satisfaction – When a company provides and maintains plants for their employees, a message of goodwill is sent. Workers feel management cares because plants create a tended space giving people the sense of a caring and well-being. In fact, in one study, workers have demonstrated 12% more productivity with plants present.

Reduced Absenteeism – A few selected quality specimen plants can help moderate the noise level and reduce stress, keeping employees happier and at work.

Make Buildings Look more Welcoming – Subtle setting cues created by plants alleviate the harshness of the building environment. They create a warm, inviting refuge.

Improve the Indoor Environment – They take on many indoor environmental health problems by reducing levels of carbon dioxide, increasing relative humidity, reducing airborne dust levels, and reducing off-gassing levels of certain common interior pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and nitrogen dioxide.

Increase Tenant Occupancy and Retention – By maintaining healthy plants in attractively designed containers and displays, the character and appearance of the building improves. People want to stay, and their perception is positive.

Make a Design Statement – Interior landscaping is emerging as a “fashion-oriented” business. It can be the finishing touches to the overall design or stand as focal points to catch the eye.

Increase Retail Spending – Extend your outside environment inside for the retail space. Provide a more interesting, cheerful, lower stress experience for your shoppers, diners, or overnight guests.

Direct Pedestrian Traffic – They can gently guide crowds to special attractions, direct optimal traffic flow, or be the specific landmark for check-in desks, escalators, and waiting areas.

Soften Less Attractive Building Features – Utilizing the versatility in size and shape, plants affect the less attractive features of the structural environment with elegant, functional solutions to service areas, kitchen entries, connecting walkways, etc.

Reflect the Holidays and Changing Seasons – It’s hard to beat the visual beauty and grace of plants. They express our cultural beliefs and help us celebrate our holidays.

Adapted from “You Need Plants” by Green Plants for Green Buildings

About The Wright Gardner Design Process

Our experienced designers can help you design with your business objectives in mind. Whether you’re looking to drive purchases, impress guests, simply make your space more attractive or more comfortable, or something else entirely, we can work toward your objectives and stay within your budget. Check out our work to get your creative juices flowing, and then schedule your free design consultation with one of our horticulture design experts!