5 Home Office Design Essentials
With millions of people now working from home, makeshift offices have been created in bedrooms, living rooms and dining areas across the UK. Swathes of employees are adapting to a new way of working and it remains uncertain how long this will last for.
It’s a shift which could have a major impact on the world of work. As people settle into this new norm and familiarise themselves with virtual meetings, will more homes need to be designed with tailored office space in mind?
Either way, remote working is here to stay and with the possibility that it may continue to rapidly rise, creating the right space will be essential. So, here’s our guide to designing a productive and comfortable home office.
1. Keep it Clear
Various studies have highlighted the importance of a well organised office and the impact this can have on productivity.
Home offices tend to be smaller rooms but regardless of their size, make sure suitable storage solutions can be accommodated. Under the desk drawers and bookshelves are simple but effective solutions that will help keep desks clear of clutter. Also think about the aesthetics of this type of furniture. Well designed pieces that complement the overall design of your home can provide the motivation needed to keep things tidy.
2. Light it Up
If the lighting isn’t right in a home office, this could have a negative effect on comfort and productivity. When planning a room layout and the positioning of any fitted furniture, consider the impact of both natural and artificial light.
Being able to see through a window and gain natural light can help improve wellbeing but take care if designing a desk into the space. To prevent any glare on computer screens, position the desk at a right angle to the window.
In terms of artificial light, using different types will help to keep the space multifunctional. This could involve using ambient lighting as the central source and accent lighting to illuminate certain features in the room.
3. Marry up Design
Replicating the same theme throughout a property really helps to elevate details and quality. In a home office, this can be easily achieved by using bespoke furniture designed to complement the rest of the home, including kitchen design.
Our Elysium range for example, offers a vast range of options that are ideal for homes offices, including fitted storage units, pull out drawers, desks and shelving that make the best possible use of the space. All can be designed to meet the exact needs of the end user and match finishes in kitchens and bedrooms.
4. Stimulate the Senses
When decorating, your choice of colour is important as studies have shown that different colours can evoke certain emotions which affect a person’s mood, productivity and general wellbeing.
For example, warmer blues are thought to encourage productivity while green is believed to help people focus and increase reading speed. A more neutral shade such as grey can evoke a feeling of peace or a more adventurous orange can help boost enthusiasm and energy.
Ultimately, your chosen colour may depend on the type of work being carried out in your home office but pick the right one and it can be a powerful tool in increasing overall comfort.
5. Go Green
Adding a plant to your office not only helps to brighten the space but reduce stress. A recent Japanese study found that people who kept a small plant on their desk had lower levels of anxiety at the end of a four-week period.
Easy to care plants that don’t require lots of sunlight are best such as the Devil’s Ivy, Chinese Evergreen, Peace lily, Cacti and Jade plants.
Planting them in vibrant pots and baskets will also add texture and interest, especially if the surrounding décor is more neutral.
For further information on designing home offices, please get in touch. Our experts can advise you on making the best use of space and designing bespoke furniture that blends seamlessly with the rest of your home, including kitchen design.
For more inspiration, check out our Pinterest board on home offices.