A well-designed home office can make you excited to start your day and help you avoid an afternoon slump.
The spaces we inhabit have an impact on our mood and motivation. You probably wouldn’t get much done if you tried to work in a dim, dusty broom closet.
A well-designed home office can make you excited to start your day and help you avoid an afternoon slump. A poorly designed one can leave you restless, distracted, and needing a chiropractor.
Here are some tried and true ideas, including some brain hacks, that will keep you productive all day.
What We’ve Learned from Corporate Offices –
Companies big and small have experimented for years to find the “most productive” office design. In doing so, they inadvertently created the greatest feud since the invention of pineapple pizza: open floor plans vs. private offices.
Corporations were reminded the hard way that everyone works and thrives differently. But their many ideas did teach us a few things that can help everyone.
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel for our personal offices. Here are some great hacks you should bring home:
Ambiance
Lighting
Good lighting can make the difference between a productive day or dry eyes and chronic headaches.
Try to set up your office near a window. Natural light is best for the brain. Choose a mix of fluorescent and warm-toned lights to balance your alertness and comfort.
Noise
During COVID-19, many parents quickly learned how terribly drywall acts as a sound barrier. Try to pick a room that’s not next to the kitchen or laundry room. Or invest in some noise-canceling panels. Placing furniture, a bookshelf, or decorative tapestries against one wall can also help dilute noise.
A noise-canceling door can make a huge difference. Soundproofing doors are given a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating from 20-60. Overly Door Company makes great doors with an average STC rating of 40. That means you’ll barely hear loud noises and yelling through it!
Color
Grey office cubicles are infamous for draining the life out of people. Studies have shown that warm colors motivate and energize the brain. Cool colors are calming.
You may not want to paint your walls hot pink or lime green, but accents of color can still influence your mood.
Choose warmer woods like cherry for your desk or bookshelf. Pick a throw rug with earth-tone patterns or a cool modern splash. The sky is the limit for décor.
You have the power to choose your state of mind. Every little bit counts when you want to achieve everything on your to-do list.
Health & Comfort
Nature
The Right Chair and Desk
Every office worker knows the pain of a stiff neck and back. The human body wasn’t designed to sit all day, let alone crouch over a tiny screen. Thankfully, you can pick any type of furniture in your home office to suit your style. Size, storage options, color, you name it.
But don’t forget your own comfort! Sit-stand desks have exploded in popularity, like the Think Desk by Juniper. You can make height adjustments through Bluetooth! If you get sore from sitting, raising the desk’s height to stand for a period is easy. For comfortable seating, look for ergonomic chairs that allow you to customize height, back, and neck support. Avoid those afternoon headaches and restless legs!
Healthy Treats
Keep up your energy with caffeine, healthy snacks, and, most importantly, water. If you don’t want to break the flow of your work by wandering out of your office, consider investing in a mini fridge to keep your snacks and drinks close at hand. Try rewarding yourself with a treat after you complete each large task!
Air Quality
Efficiency
Outlets & Cord Organizers
When you’re designing your office, don’t forget to keep your outlets accessible! Best of all, pick a room that has many of them. Consider getting a cord organizer to keep your devices organized. D-Line makes cable trays that you can attach underneath your desk. It’s the perfect size for a power strip, and you can place it within reach.
If you have kids, this is also a great option to keep electric or tripping hazards to a minimum without shoving all your cords behind your desk in a tangled mess.
Open or Cozy?
Things You Can’t Do in a Public Office
Find the Right Temperature
Enjoy a HiFi Sound System
Some people thrive with a bit of background noise. If that’s you, consider a high-fidelity speaker or headphones to play music or ambient sounds as you work.
Even your corporate training videos will sound better over a nice speaker or comfy headphones than through your computer. Give your ears a break after all those Zoom calls.
Add Your Favorite Scents
Personalize Your Motivational Décor
About the Author
Caylah Coffeen is a writer and editor sharing her insight on unique home products that help readers make their homes feel more like home. She also mentors fiction authors at her publishing company, Creative Cornerstones, based in Huntsville, Alabama.
