If you are lucky enough to have a dedicated home office, you know it's a place where you go to get away from the chaos. Your home office is the centre of your professional life, and you want it to be a place that inspires you to work hard. But some people often find their home office lacks the focus they need to achieve their work goals.
A warm, inviting office can make working from home a pleasure. So what can you do to rejuvenate a dreary home office? Here are 5 ways to brighten your home office space:
1. Add some colour to your office
Forget about white for a moment. Most people associate white with being sterile and cold. You want your home office to have some personality, especially if you're going to be spending a lot of time at the desk.
Colour is important in any room, but especially in a space where you need to focus. Choose a colour scheme that's calming, but doesn't go too far into deep or complicated shades. Look at trying a neutral palette of shades - grey, brown, and sandy colours work well.
Use different shades of paint or wallpaper to change the feel of an office space and make it feel warmer and more inviting. Or try painting your walls a light colour (other than pure white) – this will create an airy feel and add some brightness to the room.
2. Add visual interest with functional art
Having too much clutter on your desk can be annoying. But you can use your home office to make a statement about yourself. Think about using interesting works of art that can be used as both a work of art and an inspirational sidekick for the desk and corkboard.
Place an interesting display in the centre of the room. Use magazine or book pages, or old photos – even a piece of wool or fabric can create an artistic element to the space. You can also use digital graphics as abstract pictures to hang on the wall, but make sure you place them where they won't be damaged by heat from computers or lamps.
3. Add contrasting furniture
If your home office is a small space and you don't have enough room to move, consider adding a table or desk that contrasts with the rest of the furnishings. Furniture that is too colourful can distract you from your work, but placing a desk opposite a wall with neutral-coloured furniture can help create variety in the space.
A well-designed height adjustable workstation can really set the tone for an office space. Choosing an office desk that's the right size and fits your needs will make you feel more comfortable working from home. And if you're going to be spending a lot of time at a desk, it might be worth investing in one that's ergonomically designed for comfortable and productive work.
To really make your home office feel more professional and personal, consider adding a sideboard or drawers next to your desk. Having this essential piece of furniture will allow you to organise your work and have everything at eye level. And choosing one in a colour that contrasts with the neutral furniture can be a good choice to add some visual interest while also adding some storage space.
4. Let in more light
Letting in more light can make a big difference to the way your space feels. While installing a skylight or roof window may not be an option for everyone, consider moving your desk to a more brightly lit part of the room — for example, by a window.
Elsewhere, you can use lamps strategically to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, or make your own DIY light box. It's a simple way of bringing light into the room and reducing your eye strain so you can stay productive. Alternatively, installing a lamp with a diffuser will break up the light and provide you with a more evenly lit environment.
5. Add some plants
Adding greenery to your home office is a great way to add some life and natural beauty to the space. Plants are an easy way of adding a splash of colour and giving your office a more inviting feel. Keep in mind that plants need water and light (unless they're of the artificial variety), so you should place them where they can get the right amount of both, otherwise it defeats the purpose!
Look for low maintenance plants that are easy to take care of. For example, succulents or cacti are a good choice because they don't need direct sunlight and only need to be watered once a week.
Get creative with how you display your plants - for a more sustainable option, try using repurposed old bookcases or donated furniture.
With just a little creativity, you can make an uninspiring room into a friendly office space that keeps you motivated to be productive. You might even want to invite people over to see how well you've furnished your home business!
While you might not be spending quite as many hours in your workspace, it’s important to still make it a comfortable environment. Follow these five easy tips to create a home office you'll look forward to working from each day.
