How To Decorate Your Home Office
Definitely not a minimalist! (my desk at the Hub)
Most of us office workers now work from home at least part of the week, which is wonderful! It just changes up the week a bit and enables the home admin to be a bit more efficient - between the loads of washing, being there for deliveries and coordinating house maintenance.
But how is your actual working space? Are you really comfortable working there? Do you enjoy using the space? And that killer question, which has unfortunately become a cliché - does the space bring you joy? I firmly believe that the spaces we spend time in strongly influence our mood and thus our development over time. So your home office, especially if you spend a lot of time there, should support you in becoming the best version of yourself.
Yes, I know! That’s a big objective and sounds like a lot of work! But it doesn’t have to be, sometimes a combination of small tweaks can really help a space, especially a working space like an office.
We start, as ever, with function. If you’re an office worker, presumably you spend a lot of time working on a computer. So you’ll need a desk! Now, think, how big does your desk actually have to be? What do you need it for? The IT set up will come first, you’ll obviously need more space for a computer with a separate monitor than for a laptop. If you use a separate monitor, how big is it? Does the actual computer have to be on the desk, or could it be stored on a drawer unit under the desk? How much space do you need for the keyboard and mouse? Do you need a lamp - I really like to have the actual space not too bright and then have a lamp on the desk to create a cosier feeling. I like to think it helps me concentrate!
Do you work with dossiers of papers? Folders? Do these need to be on the desk or could they be stored on shelves nearby? A basic rule of thumb is to keep the things that you use most often to hand, and the other stuff further away. Do you have a cup of tea or coffee or a glass of water on the desk beside you? Do you like to have a plant or flowers on your desk? Do you like to have things on the wall for inspiration or as reminders?
Do you have any specific tools that you need for your work? This brings us to storage needs. I know that I personally need my project folders, paint charts, finish samples and measuring tape to hand when designing. (For the measuring tape, yes, I do need it, even when I’m designing on my Mac! I actually need to see how wide 40cm is and how high 60cm is - so I stretch out the measuring tape and look…!). Generally I try to keep my desk free-ish (I’m definitely not a minimalist!), so my folders are on the desk beside me, the measuring tape is in a drawer under my desk and the samples are on shelves behind me. So I can just swivel to grab them when I need them!
Which brings me to ergonomics - this is super, mega important for offices as we spend so much time working in them. I really recommend getting the screen height right - monitors now often have adjustable heights. Or just stick a few thick books underneath! Experiment with different heights for your screen until it feels comfortable. Also extremely important is to have an adjustable chair. The most important thing here is the chair height. For example, when I’m drawing I like to sit lower down, and when I’m working on my computer I sit higher to get the right position for my lower arms and hands. If you have lumbar pain, a small rectangular cushion behind your lower back (measuring tape out - approx. 30 X 50cm - or 12 X 20” - is a good size!).
Also as regards ergonomics, it’s really good for us to change working position to break up the monotony of sitting for hours on end. It helps your energy, your mood, your blood circulation and your posture to change regularly. So walking around whenever you’re speaking on the phone is a great habit. You can also use a pilates ball as a desk chair for 30 minutes a day (this is very beneficial for your core muscles, and surprisingly tiring at first!). We have one at The Hub (my coworking space) and go through phases of using it.
Also, without going as far as having a treadmill desk (!), if you can stand while working for certain tasks, or for a short time a day, it’s very beneficial for your health. I bought some foldaway bed trays for The Hub, which are the perfect height for standing with a laptop or keyboard - about 26cm (10 - 11”) when placed on a standard height desk.
And finally we come to the aesthetics. Once you have everything you need to work, and you’re comfortable, you just need the joy! Often, from working in corporate offices, we feel like they have to be grey, austere and bare. But actually we get to choose! An office can actually be a comfortable (and comforting) and homely space!
First, consider the wall or space behind you if you need to project a certain professional image during video calls. Otherwise, the world is your oyster! So ask yourself, what brings you joy? What kind of colours make you feel best? Bright and cheerful? Or dark and comforting? Or maybe you want to look at some beautiful wallpaper? Also, remember that soft furnishings like curtains, cushions and rugs can significantly improve the acoustics and feel of an office space.
Perhaps you want loads of greenery and plants around you as they give you energy and when you’re tending to them, your brain switches off just enough to sort out that tricky work problem. Or maybe you like pretty stationary and being surrounded by beautiful things just makes you feel wonderful. Or do you find that you get into the zone with a smooth, elegant, empty wooden desk and maroon walls? There are as many ways of decorating an office as there are people! Which is best for you?
If you’re stuck and would like some help designing your office, give me a call!