Our working environment can make a huge difference in how productive and comfortable we are throughout the workday. It is important to balance comfort with functionality and ensure that the overall aesthetic is professional. The more professional the mood you create, the better your working headspace will be.
There are many interior design techniques you can use to make the most out of your home office. You should look at the space you have available and consider the changes you could make, the furniture you could add, and the overall décor to put in place.
Choose A Space With Plenty Of Natural Light
Natural light is critical for any productive space. Sunlight can help energize us, keep us motivated and even boost our moods. Choosing an area of the home with plenty of natural light can be invaluable for your office, giving you light to work by and making you feel more productive. If you struggle to find an area with enough natural light, you can use strategically placed mirrors to reflect and increase the natural light you have.
Select The Right Desk
The right desk is another crucial element for a home working environment. Many people use dining or coffee tables when they first start working from home, but these are not ideal for promoting good posture and the best possible work environment. A good desk will enable you to work without hunching over or slouching, ensuring you maintain a good posture. This can be invaluable for your long-term health, preventing serious and everyday issues like chronic back pain.
A good desk will also include plenty of storage and organization space, which is invaluable for keeping up to date and on track with your work. It is best to look at desks in person when you can so that you can sit down at them and get an idea of how suited they will be to your work and your home office.
Include Additional Artificial Lighting
While natural light is critical, it is not always possible to light your office naturally. Particularly during winter, you may need to supplement natural light with artificial light. It is best to look for the most natural lighting you can find and avoid overly harsh or bright lights, which can create a less than ideal atmosphere.
You could consider a variety of lighting that allows you to tailor the level of lighting to your specific requirements at any given time. A mix of overhead and lamp lighting can be ideal for giving you flexibility and control over your environment.
Find A Comfortable Professional Chair
Your desk chair is another vital element for your home office. You will need something ergonomic, and that provides excellent back support to prevent you from getting aches or pains throughout the day. You’ll also need something that looks professional, so it is best to keep the armchairs and dining chairs out of the office. You can find some of the best conference room chairs from Branch, which are the perfect combination of comfort and professionalism.
Invest In Some Stylish Artwork
While keeping clutter to a minimum is critical for any productive office, having too minimalistic of a space can also be detrimental to productivity. Your office should be a space that inspires and motivates you, and anything too bare will feel clinical and impersonal.
Brightening up the room with some artwork can be an ideal solution, giving you something beautiful to look at while you work. It is best to avoid artwork that is overly bright or busy, as this may be overstimulating while you’re at work. Look for calming and relaxing art in pastel colors for a relaxing and productive space.
Get Some Low Maintenance Indoor Plants
Plants can make a massive difference to our working environment, promoting a healthy mindset, improving air quality, and boosting productivity. If you’re not a very experienced gardener, consider something low maintenance like a cactus or succulent that requires only infrequent watering. It is best to start with one plant and get used to the ins and outs of plant care. Over time, you could invest in more and more, increasing productivity as you go.
Utilize Storage For Organization
In addition to a desk with storage, you’ll also need storage space throughout your office. Storage for stationery and other supplies, documents and any tools or equipment you use for work can be invaluable. This can help in the decluttering practice of giving everything in your office a designated place and reducing the chances of losing things.
Add A Noticeboard
A noticeboard can be a great addition to a home office, allowing you to map out your work and ensure that you remain on time and on target. You could consider a simple corkboard that you can pin important information to and have a clear visual of what your work priorities should be. A noticeboard can be particularly beneficial for any professional with a lot of deadlines or different tasks and projects to keep on top of.
Keep Your Office Space Uncluttered
Clutter is one of the most common issues faced by any office and can immediately make the space feel less professional and more disorganized. It is often easy for clutter to build up, so you will need to keep on top of things to ensure this isn’t the case in your office.
You could start by ensuring there is plenty of storage space and giving everything you use in your office at home. At the end of each day, consider looking at everything on your desk and putting everything that doesn’t need to be out back in its place.
Choose New Flooring
The flooring you use in your home office can make a big difference to how you enjoy and utilize the space. Hardwood flooring can be the best option for home offices, as it allows your desk chair to move around freely and won’t become damaged over time like carpet. Hardwood flooring is also much easier to clean, making it an ideal hassle-free investment for professionals.
