How to create and style your home office
As an increasing number of Australians are encouraged to work from home during these times of social distancing and self-isolation, it’s fair to say it’s important to ensure your study space or office area is not only practical but exudes an inviting aesthetic that inspires creativity and productivity.
With more than 20 years of renovation and project management experience, HOME by belle Founder and CEO, Sarah Comerford, shares her top five tips on how to set up and style your home office.
“From positioning your desk to ensuring you have enough storage, there are a number of considerations that can help make your office space functional but have personality too,” Sarah said.
“An organised and stimulating work area can make all the difference to your productivity and also stops you from resorting to the kitchen table or lounge room for a makeshift home office.”
Choosing the right space and lighting position
Not all homes have a designated office space so be sure to opt for a room with some natural light to enable it to be a space that is more conducive for longer hours. Natural light can help increase productivity and workflow too. When setting up your desk and computer screens, face them in front of the window to not only minimise glare but to give you a view to look out onto. If your space doesn’t produce much natural light, use table lamps focused down on your keyboard or workspace to provide you with the right amount of task lighting.
Organisation and storage are key
Storage is important when setting up your home office, particularly for smaller spaces to ensure a clean and organised space that encourages productivity. Think of everything you will be keeping in there when planning out your office space such as printers, stationery, speakers, files and paperwork. This will give you an idea of how much storage you will need.
The less clutter there is, the better as it’ll give you a positive perception of the workspace. Investing in storage drawers will enable you to put away everything that you aren’t using in that moment and give you a clean working area.
Think functionality first
Functionality is the most important element when setting up your office space. The first step is to plan how you want to use the space and what actions you will be undertaking. Plan the furniture accordingly and once functional you can then add the style.
For example, if your workspace is quite small, aim to have furniture that is on legs and up off the floor - this will make your room appear a lot larger. Also, think about what you can put on your walls - corkboards are a great decorative feature, but they also help stimulate creativity. During these uncertain times, consider planning charts and whiteboards to help you get into a daily routine.
The biggest investment you should make for your home office should be your office chair. Take into consideration the ergonomics of the chair and how it will perform for the length of time you will be working - most office chairs will state whether they are for long hours or short hours. It’s also important to find chairs that suit the curvature of your spine and if you need, try popping a funky cushion on for some extra comfort.
Styling to inspire creativity and productivity
Just because it’s an office space, doesn’t mean it can’t be injected with your personality. To be creative and productive, be sure to keep your space free of clutter - having things organised keeps the mind feeling more organised. If your new room feels uninspiring, try introducing a colour palette that inspires or even challenges you – a pop of colour can always liven up a room.
To add a dash of comfort to your space, place a rug under your table especially if you have hard flooring. This way you have something cosy for your feet to rest on.
Should the space have greenery?
At a time like this where we’re cooped up inside, indoor plants are great because they provide much needed oxygen. Plants such as Areca palms and Snake plants are known to remove toxins from the air but can also add a pop of colour and are low maintenance. Ivy plants are increasing in popularity and look great on exposed overhead shelving for their draping effect. Greenery is also known to have a calming effect when placed in an interior space, so placing a few in your office space can help manage stress levels and may work wonders for your productivity.
ABOUT HOME by belle: HOME by belle is Sydney’s premier design and project management renovation company providing exceptional design concepts and full renovation services for home improvement projects. If you’re looking to design and renovate a space in your home, call us today on 02 9967 3336 or email hello@homebybelle.com.au for an online consultation.