By Shay Hughes
Over the past few years I’ve written a lot about the ways we bring color and joy into our offices, from playful artwork and polka dot murals to comfy couches in emerald green, royal blue and vibrant red. It all comes back to one simple belief: the spaces we ask our teams to spend their days in really do shape how they feel, how they connect and how they do their best work. I want to keep that conversation going with something that’s been on my mind lately, which is the wonderful link between creativity and how good we feel.
When was the last time you made something simply for the joy of making it? Not because it was part of your job or because someone asked you to, but simply because it brought you joy?
This year, The New York Times ran a piece in its Well section about how art and crafting are good for both our bodies and our minds. It highlighted the work of researcher Dr. Daisy Fancourt, who describes engaging in the arts as “the forgotten fifth pillar of health,” alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature. That really resonated with me, because it put some real science behind something we’ve felt in our bones at Hughes Marino for years: being around creativity is good for us, and taking the time to create something ourselves might be even better.
We tend to treat creativity as a “nice to have,” reserved for the designers and artists among us. But more and more research says it belongs right alongside the rest of our wellness. The studies also show that engaging with art or other creative activities, even for a few minutes a day, can reduce stress, improve well-being and even support our long-term health. And when we go from looking to actually making, the benefits can be even greater. Whether it’s painting, crafting or another hands-on activity, creating gives us a chance to slow down, recharge and return to our work with a fresh perspective.
That’s a big reason creativity is baked into how we take care of our team. Some of our favorite team building activities include watercolor painting and “crafternoon” sessions, where teammates pause for a bit and enjoy spending time making something around the farm table together. There’s no pressure to get it right—only color, laughter, conversation and the happy feeling of creating side by side. Afterward, everyone feels a little more connected and a little more creative when they return to their desks.
One of my favorite thought leaders, Ingrid Fetell Lee (author of Joyful), likes to remind us that the ordinary things around us have real power to shape how we feel. Creativity is one of those everyday superpowers hiding in plain sight, and the best part is that inviting more of it into your office barely costs a thing. You can add it to any workplace, in any industry, a little at a time. Here are a few easy ways to start:
Curate Inspiration
Beautiful art and photography give the eyes somewhere fun to wander and the brain a chance to reset. Whether it’s a statement painting, striking photography or curated pieces from local galleries, art has a way of making the workplace feel more alive. You’re not simply decorating a space; you’re creating an environment that inspires people every time they walk through the door.
Make Room to Create
Tuck a few supplies into a cabinet for hands-on breaks: sketch pads, watercolors, a lump of clay to shape or a puzzle that’s always in progress (one of our favorite activities!). A few minutes of making can turn a rough afternoon around better than another cup of coffee.
Schedule Creative Time Together
While the design of a workplace matters, so do the experiences that happen within it. Put an hour-long painting session or “crafternoon” on the calendar and treat it as seriously as any strategy meeting. Making things together alongside teammates you might not normally spend much time with gets everyone laughing and builds stronger relationships that carry back into the workplace.
Press Play
Never underestimate what a little music can do for a room. A thoughtful playlist in your common spaces can lift the mood, ease the afternoon lull and get creative wheels turning, sparking a little conversation and camaraderie, without adding a single object to the space.
Create an Atmosphere That Inspires
Sometimes the smallest details have the biggest impact. Fresh or faux flowers can be a welcoming pop of color at the reception desk, and beautifully designed books or thoughtfully chosen decor can all contribute to an environment that feels welcoming and intentional. These elements may seem simple, but together they create an atmosphere that feels alive. They remind people that their workplace was designed with intention and that the experience of being there matters.
None of this takes a big budget or a design degree. What it takes is a little intentionality and a real belief that the spaces we build for our teams are genuinely worth it. Creativity isn’t a distraction from the real work. The science increasingly shows it’s part of what keeps us healthy, connected and inspired enough to do that work well. So this week, see if you can inject a little more of it into your office. Whether it’s a beautiful new piece of art, a painting afternoon with your team or simply a playlist that changes the mood of the room, my guess is you’ll notice the difference in the energy of your workplace. And more importantly, so will your team.
