WFH - putting ‘home’ first again
So here we are; each of us in our new normal.
For months we have made-do – working at the kitchen table juggling for space with our partners, surrounded by our kids. We have pushed aside the general detritus of everyday living to make space for laptops, monitors & lever-arch files.
It’s been novel, it’s been funny, it’s been infuriating – it’s given birth to a whole host of comedy-gold moments on what not to do during a zoom meeting.
But now some of us are returning to the office. Some of us are making our homes our new, permanent place of work. Many of us are doing a bit of both.
So where does that leave our homes? How can we adapt our personal space to now include a permanent home office without feeling that our homes are becoming, well offices?
Of course having the right tech, a good desk & ergonomic chair, I’ll take as givens. Here I want to concentrate on aesthetics & explore how we make this space, not only a pleasure to work in, but work in harmony with the rest of home. Here are my seven top tips:
1. Decorate
Be sure to decorate the space to suit your personality. Some people will prefer a pared back Scandi-style space – simple, uncluttered and with minimal decorative distraction. To others this will be the death of creativity – here bold colour & pattern is needed to get creative work juices flowing.
Of course if you are lucky enough to have an entire office or study to decorate, then life is sweet; but even a corner of a room can be decorated – think colour-blocking or wallpapering your office alcove or nook – both brilliant ways to add character and zone your work area.
2. Lighting
Good lighting is essential for your workspace and your general well-being. A well-lit area can have a huge impact on your mood & energy levels as well as reducing the risk of eye-strain & headaches. Make the most of any natural light you have available but if that’s not a possibility, and your workspace is tucked into a corner, then invest in task lighting and some good overhead or ‘ambient’ lights.
Avoid creating shadows onto your desk by facing the main light source. Use lampshades to diffuse the light and fit dimmer switches so you can adjust the light levels throughout the day.
A desk or table lamp can be used for lighting your immediate workspace. Adjustable desk lights are great for focussing light exactly where it needs to be, but if desk space is at a premium consider a floor lamp suspended over your workspace or a wall-mounted swing arm lamp.
3. Good looking storage
Happily, there are tons of good looking storage solutions these days so we can firmly ban the filing cabinet from entering our new home offices and instead box clever with storage eye-candy. Have a look at these beauties and don’t be afraid to convert a wardrobe – the internet is full of step-by-step guides & clever storage hacks.
4. Create a view & bring in the green
It is well researched that having a view to green space from your place of work helps reduce stress and improves work productivity, but not everyone is fortunate enough to look out onto a garden or park. If this is the case, give some thought to creating a view. This could be anything from a photograph of a favourite holiday destination, a landscape, seascape or cityscape. Or perhaps an inspirational quote is more your bag? Whatever it is, it will give your eyes a rest and something to focus on when you look up from your screens.
And introduce your own little bit of green. Plants help relieve some of the stress & anxiety we experience throughout the working day and can also help remedy the effects of SAD. You don’t have to go far these days to find a great selection of potted house plants to visually soften your work space and cheer your soul.
5. Make the most of the vertical
Shelves are your friend if you need to box clever with your WFH space. Floating or otherwise, make the most of the vertical and use the space above your desk for filing, artwork or lighting.
Decorative box files, baskets of all shapes, sizes and colours – there are so many great small storage solutions available to help keep admin clutter at bay and your work space looking fantastic.
6. Zone your space
As well as colour-blocking or wallpapering to define your work area, rugs are another easy way to section off your desk from your living space. Find a colour and style that suits your interior and arrange your desk, chair and other accessories on the rug to help visually separate the space.
7. Think red thread
Finally consider the ‘red thread’. ‘Red thread’ is an expression used in interior design to describe a common ‘thread’ that is woven throughout a home’s décor to give a sense of continuity & cohesion. It might be a particular colour or perhaps it’s the repetition of brickwork or the use of patterned tiles or wood veneer. If you know your ‘red thread’ consider how it can be incorporated into your work space, even if only in a small way. A vase in the right colour, a motif in a rug, a similar style of artwork – any of these ‘red threads’ placed in your work space will help make the space feel ‘intentional’ and blend with your overall home design.
I hope these tips prove useful. If you would like more advice don’t hesitate to contact me and together we will create a comfortable, good-looking work space without losing sight of your home.