Elevate Your ‘Work from Home’ Experience: Designing a Stylish and Functional Home Office.
Home offices have become almost an essential part of the home since the covid pandemic. After being forced to work from home for weeks to months on end, and in some cases while kids were also home from school, it provided a need for a space to work from in which was both functional but also restorative.
However, many people don’t have an additional room to create a work from home office, shut away from the rest of the house, only able to obtain a corner of a room already attributed to another function. So let’s look at ways we can create a functional yet beautiful office space whether it be in a separate room or a shared space.
Image Source: AI image via Midjourney by OBNL design
Division of Space.
The best option for division of space is being able to close a door and completely separate it. If you have a spare room in your house which is currently inutile, then it’s a great option to turn it into a home office – this is also a great way to add resale value!
Another option is to share your office space with a guest bedroom as it is unlikely you will have guests staying at regular intervals. Have your desk tucked against one wall, so that it can be used as a dresser top when your guests are staying etc.
If there is no available space except for in common spaces, then claim a small corner of a room just for you. Have a small desk with a chair that can be pushed under the desk when not in use to minimize the intrusion to the rest of the room.
An option is to use a portable privacy screen to divide the space off from distractions, which can then be stacked away when not in use.
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Lighting.
Natural light is the most ideal solution for a home office as it boosts both mood and productivity. If possible, place your desk close to a window to maximise natural light exposure.
If natural light is at a minimum, opt for LED lights on dimmers so that you can adjust the brightness according to your preferences and tasks at hand.
Supplement natural light with task lighting; either desk lamps or other overhead lighting. This is especially important when trying to work at night or on cloudy days.
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Functional furniture.
Start with a comfortable and supportive chair that promotes good posture and reduces the risk of back strain.
A good desk, at the correct height for sitting, or an adjustable desk which can be raised to standing height is very important. Alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day promotes circulation and reduces fatigue.
Make sure your desk is deep enough to hold your computer/monitors as well as mouse/keyboard without sitting you too close to the screen.
Other furniture options could include an armchair or sofa to be able to take moments away from your desk.
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Organisational solutions.
Use filing systems, shelves, drawers, and cabinets to help keep your space clutter free. This will help keep your mind clear and allow you to focus on the task at hand. It also allows you to create systems so that you can find things in a well timed manner.
Use desktop organizers and trays to organize paperwork and office supplies – this ensures everything has its place and is easily accessible.
Continue your organization through to digital systems, utilising systems for files and documents, and using cloud storage to free-up hard drive space. Digital calendars and task management systems/platforms such as Notion help to streamline your workflow and stay organized on the go.
Image Source: The Office edit by OBNL via instagram
Décor & Sensory Integration.
If you’re lucky enough to have a work from home office space which will be solely used by you – then take this opportunity to personalize it! Add some colour, artwork and décor which you think will help focus your energy and mind to the task at hand.
Motivational quotes may also be what you need on display to give you the added incentive to just get it done!
When choosing colours, choose a low wavelength colour such as purple, blue or green to help promote restfulness and calm. They have also been proven to improve efficiency and focus. Green also has ties to the natural world which ties to biophilic design principles – our inate need to embrace nature ; a great colour choice for a calm yet focussed environment.
Yellow, orange and pink are known as colours that can energise us, but if used in a large amount, or strength, they can have the opposite effect and become frustrating.
Another sense that we can harness to help focus is the sense of smell. Both rosemary and peppermint are known to help us concentrate, so think about adding an essential oil diffuser to your space, or soy candles.
Image Source: AI generated image via Midjourney by OBNL design
Designing a functional home office is all about creating a space that supports your productivity, comfort and personal style.
By incorporating proper lighting, function furniture, organisational solutions and sensory integration, you can create a space which will help you focus your time and energy. Whether you are working remotely full-time, or just need a dedicated workspace for occasional tasks, investing in your home office will pay off in increased efficiency, creativity, and overall wellbeing.
