Working from home comes with plenty of perks, such as the flexibility of setting your own schedule, and saving time and money by eliminating the daily commute.
Furthermore, 95% of respondents to a FlexJobs’ survey say that their productivity has been higher when working from home.
This is largely due to the freedom you have to create the workspace you need, as you have near-complete control of your work environment. While there are many aspects to it, here are four of the most important ones to keep in mind if you want to create an awesome home workspace that feels inviting to work in.
Pick the Right Location
Ideally, you need a separate room that’s detached from all the other rooms to have the best chance of a distraction and noise-free environment — something that’s crucial when working from home with kids (or pets) and family.
A separate room that’s away from the place where you sleep or watch Netflix is also important to help your brain associate the office space with work, productivity, and focus.
So if you have a spare guest room, consider moving into that during your working hours.
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Also, your best and brightest ideas often strike when you’re away from the desk, so try to have some extra space in the room where you can walk around. If you have the budget, consider an epoxy flooring expert to resurface your room, as epoxy flooring is easy to clean and maintain, safe and hygienic for all activities, and extremely durable.
Consider the Color
A nice perk of working at home instead of at the office is that you have complete freedom over the decor of your workspace. Say goodbye to office beige and consider colors that spur you to get the job done.
Color psychology suggests different colors have different influences on your mood and energy. Certain colors like blue and green boost productivity and creativity, while reducing stress and anxiety.
“Blues and greens, most commonly found in nature, have been proven to decrease stress levels, creating a calming work environment,” according to Sarah Schwuchow, the principal interior designer at Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors.
Bright colors like red and orange can help improve energy levels, whereas dark and dull colors may have the opposite effect.
Let the Light Shine In
Besides proper air circulation and ventilation, your home workspace must be well-lit, preferably with plenty of natural light.
That’s because 40% of workplaces with natural light experience up to 40% improvements in productivity. What’s more, natural light from both the morning and evening has been found to reduce depression and uplift mood, energy levels, alertness, and productivity.
Moreover, sufficient lighting also minimizes eye strain, drowsiness, and headaches. So, position your desk and chair in a well-lit area of the room near the windows.
And if you’re nocturnal or live somewhere with limited daylight, use ambient LED task lights that allow you to modify the color temperature settings so you have the flexibility to select just the right amount of light.
Bring in the Greenery
Regardless of the color palette you choose to incorporate in your workspace, having some greenery around is always a good idea.
“Plants help give life to the space and remind us that there is a living, breathing world outside of work that exists whether the work gets done or not,” explains Matthew Busscher, a LEED-certified architectural designer at Superfine Studio.
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Having a couple of desk or floor plants improves your sense of well-being, productivity, and overall happiness. It also adds visual variety for when your eyes need a break from the screen. Not to mention the use of plants also improves indoor air quality. A calathea plant could be a beautiful addition, as long as you know how to care for calathea plant.
And be smart about it. Rather than picking just any green plants, opt for something that is easy to maintain while still improving air quality. For example, spider plant, succulent, dracaena, and Boston fern are great choices known for their relatively low maintenance, aesthetic appeal, and air filtering qualities.
Over to You
So there you have it. These are some of the most essential tips to create an awesome home workspace that’s synonymous with efficiency and creativity, so make sure to implement these when setting up your home office.
