Research has shown that most workers feel they perform better in a minimalist office environment.

Office-based workers could become more productive if they work in a minimalist environment, according to the research, by self-storage company Space Station, looking into the impact of our surroundings on productivity and wellbeing.

It found that seven out of ten people (70 per cent) feel stressed by cluttered surroundings, 55 per cent feel they sleep better, and 67 per cent said they are more productive when they are surrounded by less 'stuff'.

Business Argus asked local business people what their office was like and if they prefer to work in a more minimalist office environment...

Dan Smith, director, M4 Property Consultants, Newport

Dealing with the letting of office accommodation on a daily basis we are seeing increasing interest from companies in the working environment they provide to their employees. Some of this is within their own control, such as the tidiness of their desk space and other important factors such as natural light and views need to be considered when choosing the right office. What is clear is that providing a work environment that inspires and motivates staff and helps with retention is increasing important. We operate a tidy desk policy, preferring to keep files and paperwork stored away in cabinets. This allows more room to work and the ability to focus on the task at hand. Other than a computer, keyboard and mouse together with a notepad and pen, the only items on our desks are generally cups of tea or coffee and snacks to keep us going throughout the day!

Paul Seward, director, E-Warehousing, Pontypool

We are in the middle of moving offices within our unit as currently we are in a very dark room set in the bowels of the warehouse which isn’t very customer friendly. The new office will be on two levels with a large 20ft by 30ft glass front providing us with plenty of natural light for both floors and ample space for meeting rooms and work areas. Keeping clean and tidy desks is important both for appearance and possibly psychologically because a desk full of paper and clutter can be quite daunting in terms of prioritising and working out where to start!

Lianne Fieldhouse, practice manager, Budget Vets, Newport

Our reception desks in all of the branches are kept clean and tidy and on the whole all of our desk-based staff do try to clean a clean work area but working with animals you can’t always keep it that way. Hygiene is very important in our industry and a clean desk is certainly part of this policy.

Bev Jones, Awaken Lifecoaching, Monmouthshire

I feel that 'yes' I do perform better, in a if not minimalist but at least a tidy, de-cluttered environment. A tidy minimalist approach certainly helps me to stay focused, work with a clearer mind and in turn get more done in a day. The same applies to accounts, paperwork, admin etc. if it is up to date and filed in the right place business (and life) flows much easier. I believe it is also important when welcoming clients and suppliers to your office space to have a clean, tidy and organised space as to me that reflects how you do business.

Catherine Lindsey, sales and lettings administrator, Kingston Newell Estate Agents, Newport

Here’s a picture of our front desk first thing on Monday morning. I like to do my best to at least try and be organised at the start of the week, but it’s safe to say it doesn’t look like this by the end of the week (or even by Monday afternoon!). The job requires a lot of multitasking and juggling lots of enquiries at once, so naturally the desk gets a little messier than this. It’s an organised mess though - the work always gets done despite a little bit of chaos!

Gareth Waters, BrandNuCreative, Cwmbran

Being a creative company, it's only right that desk should be a productive environment. My tools of the trade that are always on my desk are my iPad and external hard drive that also allows me the flexibility to work from home or at a client's premises. I will admit that it's not always this tidy though! If there's a tight deadline or a late shift is being put in then the collection of coffee cups tends to mount up!