Are you finding working from home more of a struggle than you’d like? As the initial novelty of the home office and working from home wears off, and the reality of keeping up with daily tasks sinks in, some of us are hitting problems with our office set up.
With many of us working from home, and potentially a trend to continue, we’re in need of ideas to recharge our home office environment for a brighter working day. So, what can you do to recharge your home office environment and make your working day a happier one?
There are a few ideas to revitalize your space to maximize impact. There are some questions you need to ask yourself first.
Are You Working in The Right Space?
Before you start decorating or redecorating your office space, you need to ask yourself an important question: Is it in the right location? Because no matter how you decorate your office, if it isn’t in a suitable place, is simply won’t work.
How Do You Know it’s Right?
Well, it needs to tick some fundamental boxes:
- it should have natural light;
- be free from other household distractions; and
- be well-served by air conditioning, heating, and electrical points.
An old shed or basement, may not cut it. That could mean budgeting for structural changes – the cost of loft conversion work or building a small extension – to accommodate your new lifestyle properly. This could be worth the outlay if it prevents your work taking over your home and improves your stress levels.
Is it Worth it?
Making some changes to your current home may be essential, especially if you’re going to work from home permanently, full time or part time. It’s a long term contract you are taking with your current living arrangement that is now serving a dual purpose.
Decorating For a Brighter Working Day
Setup
Working in a dark, gloomy, or oppressive space is not going to be good for your health long-term. So, you need to think carefully about how you decorate your home office. Apart from painting a space in brilliant white, there are other ways to keep a space light, bright and airy. Think about surfaces. Whether you are painting or wallpapering walls, use coverings with a slight sheen to reflect the natural light.
Furniture
Furnishings such as mirrors, glass-topped desks, and the use of metallics are options you could try too. Lots of built-in storage can help a home office feel uncluttered, but if it’s a small room this could make it feel even smaller. So, you might prefer to use open shelves instead and simply tuck clutter into baskets and storage boxes.
Floors & Windows
If your floor covering is dark, lighten it with a bright rug. For small windows not bringing in enough light, add some extra glare-free lighting. It could also be worth checking that your natural light isn’t being blocked by trees or foliage on the outside or heavy window dressings on the inside. Regularly cleaning the windowpanes will help bring in more light.
Accessories
Incorporate some bright and cheerful accessories into your workspace. Modern prints or fancy stationery can add a touch of retro and art.
The Gist of it
Perk up your work from home day with small things without cluttering up your space. You don’t need a massive space for a home office but some updates can go a long way. Brightening it up with light colours for rugs, furniture and open shelving is an easy fix for a long term contract you will have with your home office.
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Ms K says
These are great, totally understand 😉
The Wardrobe Stylist says
Thanks so much!