The home office is often overlooked when it comes to decorating. Most home offices are furnished with only the basics to get the job done. It may be time to rethink the home office and redecorate to boost productivity. Many companies are now transitioning to adopt a hybrid work model. With this shift comes the need to work from home more frequently.
Having a home office enables you to separate your work from your home life, giving you the balance you need even when working from home. These simple home office design ideas can help you redesign your home office into a more productive workspace.
Natural Light
Improving your productivity in the home office does not always translate to costly furniture and renovations. Sometimes, all it takes to boost productivity is more sunlight. Opening up your home office to natural light can increase productivity without you even noticing it. Harvard Business Review states that seventy percent of surveyed employees report that their productivity has improved by up to seventy percent when working in a well-lighted environment. Adding another window to get more light in your office may be the most cost-effective solution to improve workplace productivity, even at home.
Paint Color
A study done by the University of Texas has shown that paint colors directly affect a person’s mood and overall productivity. According to the study, women were more likely to have a poor mood when working around a bland-looking environment in beige, gray, or white colors. On the other hand, men reported feeling gloomy when working in purple and orange-themed environments.
This understanding of color psychology is essential when decorating your home office. Some colors directly affect your mood and productivity, so you have to choose your color palettes wisely. It may be best to avoid neutral tones such as gray and white, although these are the safest color choices. Here are some colors to consider when you want to boost productivity in your home office.
- Red- Has to be used sparingly and only in accents. This can induce anxiety or anger but has also been shown to be productive in physical environments such as selling to a client or talking to a client in person.
- Blue- The color blue is perceived to be soothing, and it has also been shown to improve performance with cognitive tasks.
- Yellow- This color is associated with boosting energy and creativity.
- Green- You can decorate your home office with green to create an atmosphere of calmness amidst all the tasks that you need to accomplish daily.
- Orange- The color orange sparks creativity and enthusiasm and can accent walls and floorings.
Ergonomic Chairs
Ergonomics is defined as the “science of work.” It is the field of science that is concerned with analyzing and improving people’s efficiency in relation to their working environment. An ergonomic chair offers you the best comfort and support with adjustable seat height, lumbar support, and even adjustable armrests.
An ergonomic office chair is an excellent addition to your home office to help boost productivity by ensuring that you are comfortable when seated at your desk. If you want to increase your productivity in your home office, you can start with replacing your desk chair. The best ergonomic chairs not only provide you comfort when at work but also provide you with the proper support to avoid back strains after a long day at the office.
Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are great at purifying the air, and they have also been shown to help boost mood and productivity. The best indoor plants are those that need minimal upkeep and watering. These are some of the plants that you might consider if you want plants to be part of your home office:
- Paddle plant- The paddle plant is a succulent that requires little watering and lots of sunlight.
- Pothos- Also known as the “devil’s ivy,” this plant is known to survive even if not watered for long periods.
- Chinese money plant- Not only does this plant require very little maintenance, but you can also replant the offshoots that sprout at the base.
- Air plant- Also known as Tillandsia, does not need soil to survive. You only have to dip the roots in water twice every ten days.
- Crown of thorns- This succulent shrub can survive without water for more than a week and still be able to grow blooms all year round.
Storage Space
Increasing the storage space in your office can do wonders for your productivity. You don’t have to spend time scouring through cluttered files when you have them neatly organized in their storage areas. An organized workspace also helps you save time by letting you focus on the tasks that need to be done rather than spending time looking for things in a cluttered office.
- Magnetic strips - These help keep paper clips and other small metal objects that can easily be misplaced.
- Cable box- Keeping your cords organized and out of the way is a great and simple way to boost your office efficiency.
- Storage trays- Organize your files in properly labeled storage trays for easy retrieval.
- File cabinets- Invest in a file cabinet to store old files.
- Wall-mounted shelves- Maximize storage in your home office by installing wall-mounted shelves that you can use to store office supplies or for showcasing office decor.
Improving your home office should be more than just about aesthetics; it is also about improving your workplace productivity through a good office setup. These tips should help you maximize the potential of your home office and make it a more productive space for you to work in.
