10 Companies That Have The Best Workplaces To Work In

Take it from someone who is self employed, one’s work environment is an important part of being productive and happy.

I’ve gone to great lengths to make sure my home office is one of the best workplaces to work in, at least for me.

I have a comfortable chair where I sit, a lovely plant nearby, pictures of friends and family on the wall, natural lighting emanating through a large window, and a great view of the world outside my home.

It sounds small and simple, but it’s enough to keep me happy and working hard, and most importantly, it’s enough to prevent me from becoming one of those people who work at Starbucks all day (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

Work environment is an important part of being productive and happy

I assure you I’m not the only person who is particular about the setting in which they work.

A recent study by Gensler reveals that workplace design has a huge impact on workplace efficiency.

The study found that offices designed in a way that encouraged collaboration without sacrificing an employee’s ability to focus had increased levels of innovation, creative thinking, leadership, and breakthrough ideas.

To me, this means that employees don’t want to feel confined to a suffocating workspace, and that they need freedom to explore the world around them and at least be reminded that there is a world outside of their workspace.

Employees need freedom to explore the world around them

This is why I do most of my work while sitting in a comfortable chair that’s in a room that has a welcoming, home vibe.

Of course, I actually work at home, but more and more companies are trying to make their offices feel unique and inviting to help their employees feel more comfortable, and ultimately become more productive.

In my opinion, it’s one of the most fascinating innovations in today’s business world.

It’s almost as if modern companies are competing in an arms race against one another to be one of the best companies to work for and creating the best workplaces to work in.

Having rarely worked in an actual office during my professional life, I’m especially intrigued by how companies choose to orchestrate their offices and create an environment that’s conducive to keeping employees happy and productive.

Obviously, huge companies like Facebook and Google have made headlines with their unique and progressive offices, but they are not the only companies that have created a unique work environment.

It’s also important to note that everyone has a different definition of great when it comes to the workplace setup and environment.

That is why I have searched all over the world for office settings that stand out above the rest as being among the best workplaces to work in, and I’ve found these 10 companies.

Corus Quay

Corus Quay is one of those places to work that’s straight out of the future, assuming the future is a time when people actually like going to work.

The building itself is massive, but has an open layout where more than 1,100 workers come together.

Everything revolves around a five-story atrium, where there a TV screens, benches, walking space, and a three-story slide that can actually be used in lieu of an elevator.

In a place like this, it’s hard for workers not to have a high trust in the company and a high level of morale.

Dreamhost

The offices of this web hosting company were designed by the same people responsible for Facebook’s notorious office setting.

Much like Facebook, Dreamhost offices include large glass windows that let in plenty of natural light, helping to highlight walls that are splashed with bright colors.

The company has done away with cubicles so that employees can work alongside one another, and if they happen to utilize a nearby ping pong table during the course of the day, so be it.

DropBox

It’s only natural that one of the most innovative tech companies of our day has one of the most unique and progressive offices.

One unique feature is a set of small meeting rooms that have large glass doors and clever names in bold letters above them like “Romance Chamber” and “The Break Up Room.”

DropBox offices also include comfortable couches and chairs, an open layout, and a state-of-the-art exercise facility that would make most gyms jealous.

Inventionland

Working at Inventionland’s design factory in Pittsburgh is like working at an amusement park.

For starters, there’s a giant replica of a pirate ship where more than half a dozen employees spend their days thinking creatively.

The boat floats in a small pool of water surrounded by other features that fit the ocean motif. But that’s just the start of the creative work settings at Inventionland.

There are work spaces inside tree houses, caves, and other areas that look like they are straight off the set of a children’s movie.

Just visiting such a unique work environment will make you wish you got to go there every day.

Lego

You can’t be surprised to learn that Lego has one of the most creative and unique office spaces in the world.

It’s an open office setting with legos everywhere, as employees are encouraged to play and explore with the hopes of coming up with new ideas.

No matter where you go, there’s no mistaking Lego offices for any other company, which if you think about it, is exactly the way it should be.

LivingSocial

LivingSocial is a fast-growing online marketplace, and its headquarters in Washington D.C. are quickly gaining notoriety for their ingenuity.

Few other office settings combine old building features with new ones so seamlessly. There are aged shutters and antique doors that are complemented well by tons of exposed brick.

At the same time, there are leather couches, flat screen TVs, and arcade games scattered about the office.

If you walk into this office, you’ll get the feeling that this is a company that knows how to both work hard and play hard.

Red Bull

No one should be surprised that Red Bull has some amazing office spaces; after all, their product gives people wings, so the bar is already high.

The company’s office in London links five different building that were not connected originally and that didn’t even have the same floor heights.

The end product is some intriguing architecture, not to mention a slide that helps employees get from one floor to another.

However, the best part of Red Bull’s London office may be a reception area that seamlessly turns into a bar in the evenings, so after a long day at work, you don’t have to go far to get a happy hour cocktail.

Selgas Cano

Leave it to an architecture firm to do something this ingenuous.

The offices of Selgas Cano are located in a forested area near Madrid, Spain, and are half underground and half above ground.

Looking out the window, you are right at ground level of a lush forest with plenty of trees and colorful leaves in your sight.

The rest of the office is cool and comfortable with employees working close together, but without being cramped.

There are no overelaborate perks, just soft colors, natural light, and a great view.

ThinkGarden

ThinkGarden in Milan has brought the beauty of the outside world into an office setting.

A huge amount of plants, trees, and flowers have been relocated into the office, so much so that you’d think you were working in a park.

The white furniture in the office provides a sharp but satisfying contrast to all the plant life.

It’s a truly unique experience when you can go to work in an office while feeling like you’re lost in the jungle.

White Mountain

Swedish company White Mountain has an office that looks like it’s located in the middle of a mountain, as if it were a secret lair.

Meeting rooms are completely made of glass and surrounded by rock formations and plant life growing on the walls.

If you didn’t know any better, you’d think that a James Bond villain were hiding out there; it’s that cool to look at.

How To Create The Best Workplaces To Work In

To be honest, replicating any of these amazing office spaces would be nearly impossible to do. For the most part, all of them are one of a kind.

But that doesn’t mean they can’t serve as the inspiration for new and unique ideas on how to construct a work setting.

Of course, the most important thing to keep in mind is that all of these work environments were constructed with the employee in mind.

These elaborate and progressive work spaces were designed so that employees would want to come to work, feel happy while at work, and most importantly, be inspired to do great work.

That is why these companies have gone to great lengths to create such amazing offices, and it’s why I have meticulously created a work space for myself that is conducive to me working as hard. I hope that you’re able to do the same for you and your employees.

Once you’ve settled on a design for your office, the next step in ensuring your employees remain happy and productive is to allow CakeHR to handle all of your human resource needs, starting with a free trial.

Bryan.

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Bryan Zarpentine is a freelance writer and editor with credentials all over the Internet, primarily at CakeHR, where he is a regular contributor. He is interested in researching and writing about a diverse array of topics and providing a unique perspective on the world.