![]() ![]() Some lightbulbs even simulate natural light, which can boost the positive ambience of windowless offices.īringing nature into the office-whether with plants, nature embodied in artwork, decorative objects or views of plant-filled courtyards and landscaped areas-can enhance the healing quality of a space. If your office lacks windows, use floor and table lamps with soft lighting rather than overhead fluorescent lighting to promote a feeling of comfort and coziness, says Gum. ![]() If windows are at eye level, the best views look out on calming, natural scenery, not onto bustling sidewalks or roads with distracting sights and sounds. Natural light is a big mood booster, so when possible, incorporate windows or skylights, says Dawn Gum, director of interior architecture at the national firm EwingCole. That said, there's a limit to how much wood you should use: Research shows that when natural wood surfaces like floors and walls exceed 45 percent of a room's surface, they start losing their stress-busting effects. People also feel more comfortable with wood than with slicker options like glass and chrome, Augustin says. Wall colors in light, soothing colors like sage green or dusty blue promote a sense of calm and relaxation, environmental designers say.įor reasons that aren't entirely clear, people prefer natural-colored wood with a grain rather than nongrain surfaces, research finds. The color of the office walls sets a tone. So, given such insights how should practitioners design an office from scratch or redo a space that's seen better days? Specifically, therapists should: "We do our best mental work when we feel a little bit protected." In addition, good therapy office design should take into account the human instinct to protect ourselves and our territory-a feature that may be particularly important to consider with vulnerable therapy clients, Augustin says. In their research examining people's reactions to 30 photographs of actual therapy offices, the more a space exhibited those characteristics-cozy elements like comfortable chairs and soft pillows, attractive touches like artwork, and neatness-the better people felt about the offices and the therapists who worked there, they found ( Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2012). Nasar, PhD, of The Ohio State University. Devlin, PhD, of Connecticut College, and urban planning researcher Jack L. Well-designed therapy offices also exude softness, personalization and orderliness, finds research by environmental psychologist Ann S. For therapy offices, that means creating a calm and refreshing environment to balance the rigorous mental and emotional work of therapy, she says. "A space should be something that supports you as you try to achieve specific goals," explains Sally Augustin, PhD, an applied environmental and design psychologist and founder of Design with Science, an international consulting firm. "Ideally your office should have a clean, living, generative sense-one that fosters a renewed sense of physical vitality, alertness and creativity for your clients and yourself," says Doherty, whose practice centers on helping his clients develop what he calls "sustainable" habits like rest, exercise, social support and connection with nature-strategies that help maintain health and performance over the long term.ĭoherty's space is a good example of today's direction in health-care design, which uses research on human behavior and design principles to promote positive interactions between therapists and clients. Diplomas hang in a corner to advertise Doherty's expertise, and his clean, clutter-free desk adds to the feeling of openness and space. ![]() Hood out an east-facing window, a profusion of healthy green plants, comfortable, supportive chairs and nature-based artwork. As clients enter the Portland, Oregon, office of psychologist Thomas Joseph Doherty, PsyD, they are greeted by the majestic sight of Mt.
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