The cubicles of yesterday are giving way to open office layouts. But despite the clear advantages of open offices in communication and relationship-building, many dread its main drawback: distractions. Fortunately, reducing interferences can be as simple as amping up the music.
The Problem with Open Offices
The lack of obstructions in open offices help create an atmosphere of easy collaboration because workers can just reach out to the people they need. But this is a big inconvenience to employees who just want quiet to work. And even if others are considerate enough to leave busy people alone, there are the random noises and the half-heard conversations that still distract their attention.
To block distractions, people are erecting barriers with earphones and headphones. Unfortunately, these personal walls make open offices a bit pointless. However, people won’t be tempted to wear them if they can listen to ambient music in the office.
Music Helps Fill the Space
Listening to music is highly beneficial. Most importantly, it dampens distracting noises. Instead of hearing annoying sounds all the time, employees can create their own haven through music. But also, music helps them concentrate on their tasks and even makes repetitive tasks less tedious. Lastly, music can help relieve the stress generated by the workplace.
But music is not created equal; some sounds are more beneficial than others. Music with lyrics are criminal offenders because the human brain is distracted, demanding that the lyrics be understood. Better choices are classical music, instrumentals, white noise, and nature sounds. These let the brain understand them without having to concentrate. However, there is an exception to music with lyrics: when they are already so familiar that people don’t need to turn on the brain.
Spreading helpful music throughout the office is not as simple as opening a radio. A loud music source in one part of the office will bother people near it and it may not be heard by those who are far away. Ideal would be an ambient music system that can be located throughout the room. Normally, this is a time-consuming process and can clutter your office space with wires but, fortunately, there are new technologies to make this easier and neater. For example, Bluetooth speaker lamps can be installed in place of light bulbs with music transmitted via Bluetooth.
Open offices have disadvantages but a little ambient music can help lessen drawbacks while preserving its benefits.
Do you need help with your office design? Contact Outboxd Design Team today!