9 Ways to Create an Inspiring Work From Home Space

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For a lot of us, pre-2020, the idea of working from home probably sounded amazing…work in your pj’s, drink your favourite coffee all day… no more awkward shared bathroom scenarios or managers looking over your shoulder. But somewhere into the lockdown ‘fun’, we discovered that sitting in our pj’s at 2pm turns out to be utterly depressing… We miss the free coffee, the kids keep needing us for those awkward bathroom scenarios, and (for reasons unknown to man) the dog won’t stop staring.

However the work from home scenario may have panned out for you, the fates have decided that it’s going to be at least a part-time norm for a lot of us for the foreseeable future. Which means that having a productive, stress-reducing and inspiring working from home space has moved from the ‘nice-to-have’s’ category to the ‘OH-PLEASE-MUST-HAVE’s!’

Whether you’re a work from home newbie or seasoned veteran, looking to make a few tweaks to your space, or desperately looking for an alternative to the kitchen counter so you can escape from Dora the Explorer soundtracks tunnelling into your brain…(take a deep breath)… Here are 9 things you can do to ensure that your home work space is set up to get you in the zone, so you can keep calm and carry on.

1. Mark your territory

Were you quick enough to call dibs on your ocean view loft? Ah shucks, maybe next time. What you ideally want in a work from home space is somewhere that feels separate enough from the rest of your home that it allows you to still imitate the idea of ‘going to work’ and ‘leaving work’ – and more importantly, ‘leaving work at work,’ as far as that’s possible (yes, we hear the guffaws).

If you don’t have the luxury of setting up shop in a separate home study, consider the less likely suspects – a corner of your bedroom, a less used wall of the living room, the dining room table, a nook in the hallway or under a stairway, or a spot on the patio. With a little creativity and smart organisation, it’s possible to make even the skimpiest space work, as long as you have a viable desk area.

What’s more important than physical space is creating the right mental space by giving your brain some clear visual cues that will help you quickly switch gears to work mode. In other words, don’t work on your bed and expect an easy transition from Netflix-mode to spreadsheet mode! Create a clearly defined and functional space which everyone in the house knows and respects as your ‘office’.

2. Lighten up

According to the experts, we need natural light to be productive, and avoid shrivelling up and dying (at least on the inside) like a sad, neglected houseplant. Placing your desk near a window will not only avoid this slow death, but will also give you and your eyes a chance every now and then to connect with the outside world and remember you’re not in this alone. Instead of curtains, you might opt for a nice blind so you can easily control the amount of light coming in through the day and block out the glare when necessary.

If window seating isn’t an option, you could use a strategically placed mirror (which could also make a stylish accent piece) to enhance the available light and sort of mimic the effect of being in front of a window.

Be sure to supplement natural light with a desk or task lamp, to make those morning and evening hours a little friendlier on the eyes. Steer away from harsh lighting – a soft lampshade or pendant lighting are nice ways to soften the mood and add some personal flair to your space.

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3. Make it comfy and productive

One of the perks of working at home is being able to tailor your workspace to your personal comfort levels (no more arguing over the aircon temperature!). The key is to find the balance between comfort that maximises productivity, and cosiness that sends you right into the arms of the 3pm slump.

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Find yourself a comfortable chair that’s going to support good posture and help you stay focused rather than giving you another excuse (stretch break!) to get up every 5 minutes. You could shop for a stylish office chair that helps get your mind in the work zone, or go for an occasional chair that offers a more homely blend – as long as it’s an appropriate height for your desk and gives you the level support you need. (If in doubt – here’s what to look for in an office chair).

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Once you’ve got your chair and desk sorted, make sure you’ve got the other components you need to work comfortably and ergonomically. A separate screen, keyboard and mouse are worth every cent to prevent neck, back and eye strain! Another great option that will benefit your health while simultaneously increasing your productivity is the standing desk. Studies have linked a 45% increase in productivity for those who work while standing as opposed to sitting. The plus here is that, while it may not be as comfy, your back and posture will thank you!

4. Stay organised

Big companies are called ‘organizations’ for a reason. Follow suit with your personal business setup by having a place for everything and everything in its place. A clean, organised work surface where you also have the things you use frequently within easy reach is key to staying focused and sane.

Get rid of clutter and keep cables organised and safely tucked away from chewing pets (or kids) using cable ties and covers. Include some smart storage solutions to avoid spill-over between work and home stuff, and ensure you have somewhere to ‘put it all away’ at the end of the day. You might also want to use a pin-up calendar or noticeboard to keep track of tasks and deadlines, or make it more of a mood board to help you stay inspired while still on track.

5. Give it personality

How you style your home office will obviously depend on whether it’s your private work sanctuary, or also needs to accommodate meetings with clients or associates part of the time. Either way, there’s no reason not to infuse some personality – every home office needs a few happy, personal touches to up the inspiration and make you feel, you know, ‘at home’ working from home (in case you didn’t already). Don’t clutter your space, but pick at least one or two items you love – a piece of art, a framed quote, a family photo – that remind you why you’re doing what you’re doing. You might want to bring home those personal items you had at the office (if no longer working there)– they might just be perfect visual cues to trick your brain into thinking you’re actually back at work.

6. Carve it out with colour

A great way to give your workspace its own niche in the home while also adding a pop of personality is to create an accent wall using a contrasting or complementary colour to the rest of the room (also a great excuse to try out some tasteful wallpaper!). Particularly if you’re working in an otherwise light and airy or sterile white room, a warm accent wall will add a grounding element to the space – and we all need a bit of grounding when we’re trying to stay focused at home! You might also want to be strategic with your colour choices – studies show that blue stimulates creativity, green is calming and supports imagination, while adding a pop of red can make you more alert and attentive to details.

7. Don’t mute yourself

You might think you need a super quiet space to focus, but as it turns out, trying to work in complete silence may in fact be counterproductive. Studies show that noise levels around 70 decibels seem to be ideal for creative work. Of course, you probably don’t want to be listening to your neighbour’s renovation work all day, so invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones, and queue up a playlist with some good focus music, white noise, or whatever gets your brain in the zone.

8. Feed your senses

Every workspace can do with some sensory therapy to keep the juices flowing, especially when you’re high and dry on social stimulation. Think of ways to keep all your senses engaged to help you stay present, focused and relaxed through your work day. For starters, don’t chain your eyes to the computer screen and the wall behind it. If your desk isn’t near a window with a view, then turn it away from the wall so your eyes and thoughts can roam from time to time – in a good way.

Plants are also an excellent friend of the desk jockey – they’ll improve the air quality, help you feel rejuvenated, and bring a little of the outdoors in to avoid that ‘stuck between these four walls’ feeling. You could also go with some nature photography or botanic prints to get your nature fix.

Speaking of fixes, if you’re a coffee lover, keeping a pot brewing is not just, you know, a necessity. The smell of coffee has actually been shown to stimulate better productivity and creativity. Yep, that olfactory factory in your head is a pretty powerful thing! If you prefer something a little more soothing, try a scented candle that’s not too overpowering, but enough to replace the smell of wet dog down the hallway.

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And we have to add just one more awesome way to give your workspace an extra pull factor: treat your feet! Let’s be real – most of us are probably going to work barefoot at home, so why not add something soft and snugly underfoot (a shag rug, a sheepskin blankie, your dog)? Your desk will immediately feel like a more comforting, safe, and happy place.

9. Style your mindset

While there are as many different ways to add spark, personality, and style to your home office as there are people, ‘styling’ your mindset is probably the most important part of creating an inspiring and productive home work space. Experts advise that creating a consistent routine is the key to success, particularly for keeping the boundaries between work and home intact. Start by getting up at a set time each day, getting ready, and making the bed (never underestimate the power of making the bed!), as though you were actually going to work. Decide on a consistent lunch time, with a couple of tea breaks, and set yourself an alarm of some kind for when work needs to end so you can ‘leave the office’ – even if it’s just a matter of walking a few paces from your desk to the couch. You’ve put in your hours, and it’s time to call it a day.

Featured item: Office Chairs

Whether you’re styling from scratch, looking for a new office chair, some wall art or an accent piece to bring your home office to life, visit Cielo online or instore, and let us help you inspire your space.

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