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Through lockdown, working from home has become the norm for many people. Although adjusting to remote working was difficult initially, the workstyle has proved extremely beneficial due to travel cost-savings and improved work-life balance for employees.
In fact, many companies have decided to continue offering flexible homeworking post-lockdown. In a recent YouGov study, a quarter of bosses confessed to being sceptical of homeworking before the pandemic but now believe it’s effective. This percentage joins the 49% of employers who already supported the workstyle.
If your job is likely to involve homeworking in the future, whether it’s full-time or flexible, you’ll need to invest in a home office if you haven’t already. Your workspace can influence your productivity levels, mood, and even health. Here are six ways to create a stimulating home office.
1) Artwork
Hanging impressive art in your home office can help boost creativity and inspire you to produce work you’re proud of.
In a previous survey, more than a quarter of workers said art in their office made them feel happy, and another 21% said it made them feel peaceful. Almost a third believed artwork would improve productivity in the workplace too.
Various types of art could inspire you, including typography prints of motivational quotes, scenic paintings, or photographs of somebody you admire. You could also choose art that expresses your passions, interests, and values.
However, finding the right artwork for you and your home is often the most challenging part, and it isn’t a process you should rush.
The online art gallery, Bleur Art, has a unique range of original art for sale from various independent artists, making it the perfect place to source inspiring artwork in your own time.
2) Lighting
To help you concentrate without straining your eyes, your home office needs to be well-lit. If you have windows, maximise the natural light available by fitting light and airy curtains and keeping them open during the day. Fit a mirror opposite the window as well to allow daylight to bounce around the room.
Ensure you have sufficient overhead lighting with bright white bulbs to encourage alertness and use task lighting to help you focus on finer details.
3) Colours
The colour palette of your home office can affect your emotions, so it’s worth considering the mood you want to achieve when choosing the scheme.
Yellow can make you feel energised, which is great for productivity levels, as it’s the most noticeable colour to the human eye. The cheerful colour can also boost positivity. However, don’t choose an overly bright shade or overwhelm the room with yellow, as this can cause visual fatigue.
If you want to feel less stressed while working, incorporate green into your décor as it’s believed to be calming due to its association with nature. Previous research found green can improve reading speed too.
You may prefer to decorate your workspace with neutral colours to create a clean and bright space that’ll help you focus.
4) Comfort
As tempting as it is, working from a sofa or bed can cause uncomfortable aches and pains that’ll make it difficult to concentrate. Creating an ergonomic workspace protects your posture and ensures you can work comfortably without any distractions.
Invest in a desk and an adjustable chair with back and neck support to help you avoid slouching and place your computer screen so that the top of it is at eye level. You could also purchase keyboard wrist pads to provide extra comfort when typing.
5) Greenery
Bringing nature indoors with plants can benefit your mental wellbeing in many ways, making it a perfect addition to a home office. It’s believed indoor plants can:
- relieve stress
- boost creativity
- improve concentration
- increase memory
- enhance productivity
Succulents, cacti, jade plants, aloe vera, and pothos all make great desk plants and are easy to care for.
6) Organised system
A cluttered office will only make your mind feel cluttered too. To avoid mess accumulating on your desk, use stationary organisers such as letter trays, magazine files, a pencil case, and a pen holder. Use folders, labels, and draw dividers to help you stay organised.
Incorporate storage solutions into your office as well, including filing cabinets, shelves, a locker, a notice board, or a bookcase.
Ensure you optimise the available space efficiently if you’re working from a small room. You could use a foldaway or extendable desk, and if your budget allows, get made-to-measure furniture to fit any awkward spaces.
The design of your home office can hugely impact your efficiency, motivation, and positivity, so it’s worth spending time and money on improving it.