No matter where you stand on the work-from-home vs. work-from-office debate, your work environment plays a key role in your enjoyment, productivity, and work-life balance. If the former is where you thrive, designing your home office to make this happen should be at the top of your to-do list.
Where to start, you ask? Great question. If you’re keen to design or revamp your home office but are feeling hesitant, don’t worry. Read on as we show you how to design your home office like a professional interior stylist, to promote productivity while supporting a healthy work-life balance.
First, define your space
Before you build a home, you decide where to build it. The same goes for your home office. It’s an obvious point to make, but one that will ultimately decide how well you operate. A space that too easily blends into the often-hectic rhythm of your family’s life or household movements does not translate to a space where much work will get done.
Invest in your home office essentials, and try to keep them within the confines of your room. From an ergonomic chair that supports you during back-to-back meetings to a printer that doesn’t require you to fold in half to change the printer ink, choose high-quality furniture and devices necessary for your daily tasks that you know won’t let you down.
Of course, you have to work with the space you have. If this means you have to get creative, then get creative. The key is setting a clear boundary between work and home life. If this boundary is nothing more explicit than a corner of the living room, don’t despair. A pair of noise-cancelling headphones and a room divider can work wonders.
Embrace natural light
If you spent a good deal of time perfecting the lighting for your main living area, then you know the value good lighting brings. Your home office will love you for giving it the same attention. In turn, it will become a space that enables you to thrive at work.
Countless studies exist that prove the effectiveness of proper lighting for any space. Aesthetics aside (good lighting is the cherry on top of great office design), the right lighting will help you focus better and regulate your circadian rhythms, which is responsible for us feeling more awake or sleepy based on the amount of light we’re exposed to.
A desk by a window that enjoys plenty of natural light is a good place to start. If your room is too bright, you can install blinds or sheer curtains to adjust the glare. Add ambient and task lighting to help with the darker winter months, along with an adjustable desk lamp. Your home office will be glowing in no time.
Think ergonomic
Ergonomic is a funny word. Prized by engineers, it’s the kind of word we’re all aware of without often knowing its true meaning. Ergonomic is the kind of word that sits between healthy and comfy. Therefore, furniture that ticks both these boxes is furniture you want in your home office, as much as in any traditional office design.
Along with a chair that does support you through longer-than-expected meetings, think about an adjustable desk. For one, an adjustable desk helps your posture by reducing the amount of time you’re slouching in your seat. It’ll also help shake your craving for a post-lunch slumber by getting the blood flowing. Having the ability to choose between working as you stand or sit will provide an extra dose of stimulation, and personalised comfort.
Furniture aside, ergonomics is really about designing your home office to best suit and support you, physically and mentally. Embrace it anyway you can.
Incorporate elements of nature
If your home is well-stocked with indoor plants, you’re halfway there. If not, it’s time to consider making your home office (and the rest of your home) greener. Like a curated lighting setup, indoor plants offer equally brilliant aesthetic value. But they bring even more to the table that’ll have you racing off to your local nursery.
Indoor plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, so immediately you can expect better air quality in your office. From there, things only get healthier. It’s proven science that plants reduce stress and improve well-being. Simply put, a home office that takes advantage of indoor plants is better optimised. The right pot can make all the difference when it comes to how your home office looks and the ability for the plant to do its job. Look into finding some of the most beautiful and attractive pots out there, which will add elegance and beauty to your space. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles depending on your needs and preferences. There are light-weight solutions that are easy to pick up and move around yourself in case you want to change up your decor and placement of your plants throughout the year.
Aside from plants, keep a window open to allow fresh air in, and potentially the sounds of birds and nature outside. Sometimes a simple amount of the outdoor world can get you out of a productivity slump and remind you that there’s more to life than your 9-5.
Beware of the clutter
Nothing will undermine your productivity more than clutter. Left alone, it will creep insidiously across every surface in your office until it resembles the bedroom of a teenage boy.
The remedy? Staying organised. Filing cabinets, vertical storage, anything to clear the floor and your desk. Get creative with your space, especially if it’s limited. Once you have these things in place, be vigilant, and stay consistent. Physical clutter becomes mental clutter over time, so keep on top of it and your productivity will flourish.
Be strict with what you keep on your desk or workspace. Keep in reach only what you need every day, whether it’s your laptop, notebook, or fidget toy. Store the rest elsewhere, out of sight, so you know where it is when you need it but you won’t risk becoming distracted. The bonus of this is you won’t have to be reminded of your work during your time off – out of sight, out of mind!
While it may be a task you keep putting off or wish someone would do for you, the truth is that designing your home office can—and should—be a fun and fulfilling project. Even if your home office is a temporary space while the head office is being renovated, or a central base while you focus on freelance projects, making it the best space possible for you to work is time well spent.
Here’s what we’ve shared.
– Clearly define your office space and stock it with high-quality essentials.
– Make the most of natural light, but include ambient and task lighting for focus.
– Prioritise ergonomic chairs and adjustable desks for maximum comfort.
– Decorate with plants and let fresh air in from time to time.
– Define storage places for your office items and keep clutter to a minimum.
We’ve just shared our tips on how to design a healthy home office to support your work-life balance. Do it right, and you’ll enjoy the ripple of benefits for a long time.
No matter where you stand on the work-from-home vs. work-from-office debate, your work environment plays a key role in your enjoyment, productivity, and work-life balance. If the former is where you thrive, designing your home office to make this happen should be at the top of your to-do list.
Where to start, you ask? Great question. If you’re keen to design or revamp your home office but are feeling hesitant, don’t worry. Read on as we show you how to design your home office like a professional interior stylist, to promote productivity while supporting a healthy work-life balance.
First, define your space
Before you build a home, you decide where to build it. The same goes for your home office. It’s an obvious point to make, but one that will ultimately decide how well you operate. A space that too easily blends into the often-hectic rhythm of your family’s life or household movements does not translate to a space where much work will get done.
Invest in your home office essentials, and try to keep them within the confines of your room. From an ergonomic chair that supports you during back-to-back meetings to a printer that doesn’t require you to fold in half to change the printer ink, choose high-quality furniture and devices necessary for your daily tasks that you know won’t let you down.
Of course, you have to work with the space you have. If this means you have to get creative, then get creative. The key is setting a clear boundary between work and home life. If this boundary is nothing more explicit than a corner of the living room, don’t despair. A pair of noise-cancelling headphones and a room divider can work wonders.
Embrace natural light
If you spent a good deal of time perfecting the lighting for your main living area, then you know the value good lighting brings. Your home office will love you for giving it the same attention. In turn, it will become a space that enables you to thrive at work.
Countless studies exist that prove the effectiveness of proper lighting for any space. Aesthetics aside (good lighting is the cherry on top of great office design), the right lighting will help you focus better and regulate your circadian rhythms, which is responsible for us feeling more awake or sleepy based on the amount of light we’re exposed to.
A desk by a window that enjoys plenty of natural light is a good place to start. If your room is too bright, you can install blinds or sheer curtains to adjust the glare. Add ambient and task lighting to help with the darker winter months, along with an adjustable desk lamp. Your home office will be glowing in no time.
Think ergonomic
Ergonomic is a funny word. Prized by engineers, it’s the kind of word we’re all aware of without often knowing its true meaning. Ergonomic is the kind of word that sits between healthy and comfy. Therefore, furniture that ticks both these boxes is furniture you want in your home office, as much as in any traditional office design.
Along with a chair that does support you through longer-than-expected meetings, think about an adjustable desk. For one, an adjustable desk helps your posture by reducing the amount of time you’re slouching in your seat. It’ll also help shake your craving for a post-lunch slumber by getting the blood flowing. Having the ability to choose between working as you stand or sit will provide an extra dose of stimulation, and personalised comfort.
Furniture aside, ergonomics is really about designing your home office to best suit and support you, physically and mentally. Embrace it anyway you can.
Incorporate elements of nature
If your home is well-stocked with indoor plants, you’re halfway there. If not, it’s time to consider making your home office (and the rest of your home) greener. Like a curated lighting setup, indoor plants offer equally brilliant aesthetic value. But they bring even more to the table that’ll have you racing off to your local nursery.
Indoor plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, so immediately you can expect better air quality in your office. From there, things only get healthier. It’s proven science that plants reduce stress and improve well-being. Simply put, a home office that takes advantage of indoor plants is better optimised. The right pot can make all the difference when it comes to how your home office looks and the ability for the plant to do its job. Look into finding some of the most beautiful and attractive pots out there, which will add elegance and beauty to your space. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles depending on your needs and preferences. There are light-weight solutions that are easy to pick up and move around yourself in case you want to change up your decor and placement of your plants throughout the year.
Aside from plants, keep a window open to allow fresh air in, and potentially the sounds of birds and nature outside. Sometimes a simple amount of the outdoor world can get you out of a productivity slump and remind you that there’s more to life than your 9-5.
Beware of the clutter
Nothing will undermine your productivity more than clutter. Left alone, it will creep insidiously across every surface in your office until it resembles the bedroom of a teenage boy.
The remedy? Staying organised. Filing cabinets, vertical storage, anything to clear the floor and your desk. Get creative with your space, especially if it’s limited. Once you have these things in place, be vigilant, and stay consistent. Physical clutter becomes mental clutter over time, so keep on top of it and your productivity will flourish.
Be strict with what you keep on your desk or workspace. Keep in reach only what you need every day, whether it’s your laptop, notebook, or fidget toy. Store the rest elsewhere, out of sight, so you know where it is when you need it but you won’t risk becoming distracted. The bonus of this is you won’t have to be reminded of your work during your time off – out of sight, out of mind!
While it may be a task you keep putting off or wish someone would do for you, the truth is that designing your home office can—and should—be a fun and fulfilling project. Even if your home office is a temporary space while the head office is being renovated, or a central base while you focus on freelance projects, making it the best space possible for you to work is time well spent.
Here’s what we’ve shared.
– Clearly define your office space and stock it with high-quality essentials.
– Make the most of natural light, but include ambient and task lighting for focus.
– Prioritise ergonomic chairs and adjustable desks for maximum comfort.
– Decorate with plants and let fresh air in from time to time.
– Define storage places for your office items and keep clutter to a minimum.
We’ve just shared our tips on how to design a healthy home office to support your work-life balance. Do it right, and you’ll enjoy the ripple of benefits for a long time.
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