Making Your Home Office a Space You Enjoy Working In
DESIGN
STORY BY VIRGINIA BESHEARS
Having an office space that energizes you and makes you feel inspired can be such a game changer.
Whether you prefer a bold space that excites you or a more neutral space that makes you feel calm and focused, there’s no better place to work than one that makes you happy. Below are some of our favorite tips and strategies for turning your home office into a space where you’ll actually want to work.
via Bari J
Personalizing your space
First and foremost, your workspace should reflect the kind of environment where your specific brain works best.
Some people thrive in a neutral, calming environment, where everything feels orderly. Some people feel most productive in a bold, vibrant space that might inspire their creativity. Some people work best in a cozy, dark, enveloping space.
Even if a full makeover isn’t in the cards, there are so many ways you can make your home office space feel unique and personal to you. Something as simple as putting a few trinkets you love by your computer will make your desk feel a million times more welcoming.
via Samantha Potter
Making a comfortable, healthy workspace
Making your home office a comfortable place to spend time physically is essential for long-term productivity and well-being. There are a few easy ways to make your home office instantly more comfortable. The first is adding a lumbar pillow to your existing office chair. Lumbar pillows provide better support for your lower back when you’re sitting for long periods of time, and it’s wild how much it can reduce strain. And, although a lumbar pillow can’t compete with something like a fancy ergonomic desk chair, it is about $900 cheaper.
The second thing is adding an air purifier. My air purifier filters allergens which helps with brain fog, and it circulates the air which just makes the space feel nice and fresh. Plus, the white noise it produces is the perfect level for filtering out little distracting noises without being distracting itself.
The third game-changer for making your home office more comfortable is a daylight therapy lamp. Daylight therapy lamps were developed to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder by simulating natural light, but they boost mood and energy whether or not you have SAD. They’re especially helpful during darker months or in spaces with limited natural light.
For added comfort, you can keep a cozy throw blanket nearby for colder days or add a soft rug underfoot to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
via The Kachet Life
Also, every home office needs a plant. Plants bring a home office to life. According to a study by the University of Exeter, having plants in the workspace can improve concentration and decrease anxiety. Adding a few green friends to your desk or shelves can make your office feel more vibrant and inviting.
Storage and Space
I’d go out on a limb and say that storage and organization is the biggest challenge in almost every home office space. Luckily, the area that’s the most important to organize is also the easiest to achieve. Setting up an organization system for your desk is key to preventing chaos and maintaining a happy, productive workspace.
The way you organize your desk and what you use to corral things ultimately comes down to your preference. My personal strategy is to group things by how frequently I use them. I have a tray for my most used items (my favorite pens and pencils, scissors, etc.), and over the course of the day as they inevitably end up strewn across my desk I can easily return them to the tray.
My second most used items go in a pencil case that sits by the computer, so they’re easy to grab but not visible or in the way. The rest of my home office supplies are stored with zero rhyme or reason (a problem I will fix… eventually…), but my work surface stays clutter free and a very pleasant place to work.
Additionally, the perfect home office doesn’t have to take up a whole room. Flex spaces, like a combination home office and guest room, or even a nook by the stairs, can become beautiful and functional workspaces.
If you tailor your home office to your personal preferences and needs, you can create a space where you genuinely enjoy spending time. Happy, happy working :)
