With the increase in flexible and remote working, more of us are working from home than ever before.
According to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, there are 4.2m home workers in the UK, the highest number since records began in 1998.
It’s clear then that the home office needs to be a place where we feel at our most comfortable and productive, given the amount of time we spend in it.
So, how do you create an environment which feels separate enough from the rest of your home life so you are ready to start work as soon as you open the door? Here are a few tips for creating the right home office for you...
Personal trinkets
There aren’t any rules about what you can and can’t put on your desk at home in the same way there might be at work, so it may be tempting to cover what should be your workspace with photographs, postcards and trinkets.
But, as the old adage goes, a tidy desk means a tidy mind. So, it could be worth having a clear out. That doesn’t mean removing everything that makes you happy during the working day. But, you could think about investing in a wallframe to hang your photos up and keep your desk clear or opt for a pinboard to keep all your momentos in one place.
Starting from scratch
If you’re setting up your home office from scratch, then start with just the essentials. Then, you can take stock of what else you really need to make your working life more productive. A desk and a good lamp are the starting points for any office. Keeping them functional with clean lines will give your home office a contemporary and practical feel.
Choosing industrial pieces with metal tones or steel legs which contrast with a reclaimed wood desk top will give you a complimentary base to any colour scheme you choose.
The colour of productivity
Colour has long been shown to have a profound effect on your productivity. According to renowned colour psychologist Angela Wright, blue stimulates the mind, while yellow gets your creative juices flowing and green creates a calming balance. Also, according to ancient Feng Shui principles, orange is a ‘yang’ colour, which will aid focus, concentration and organisation.
So, you could opt for a palette of summer colours to mimic the warmer months while you’re inside working, with hues of burnt oranges or dandelion yellows, combined with azure blues and whites.
Inspire yourself
With a colour palette of bright, clean hues against fresh whites, you can experiment with the patterns in your office. Make sure you don’t include too many or you could find it affects your concentration. But, you could use large horizontal stripes on the wall behind your desk or on a rug, an ikat textile cushion to make your office chair more comfortable or ethnic patterns for your storage folders. Hanging a print or picture of your favourite holiday destination might encourage you to work harder to save up for your next travel adventure.
Bringing outside in
While it’s important to minimise clutter, that doesn’t mean your office space has to be stark or severe. Adding a plant to your office decor is one of the quickest and easiest ways to maximise your productivity at work. A study of office workers in the UK and The Netherlands found having plants in the office boosted productivity by 15%. Researchers found plants in the office increased workplace satisfaction, along with reported levels of concentration and perceived air quality. But, rather than clutter your desk, you could tap into the new trend for hanging plants indoors, keeping your greenery at eye level.
Putting some time, effort and thought into your home office space can greatly improve your peace of mind and productivity.