New Year, New Office!
This month I am thinking all about home offices. I am currently designing a home office for my client and I am also starting to think about my own and how I want to design it. This is somewhere we spend a lot of time so how do we want to feel when we’re in it? Whether you like your job or not you want to enjoy the space you’re in when you’re working in it, right? You want to feel energised, happy and comfortable.
Since the start of 2020 so many people started working from home and have continued to do so. People made their working areas anywhere from their kitchen table to being fortunate enough to have a dedicated room in their house or garden to work from. Dead spaces such as under the stairs or an extra bit of space on the landing were cleverly converted into working spaces.
But now that working from home is so common, how do people design a space to work from and enjoy being in?
When choosing where to work from, location is key. You have to find somewhere that doesn’t offer you any distractions and somewhere you will be able to focus. For example, some people can’t work from the kitchen because they wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about the dinner that needs to be prepped for the evening meal. Where can you work from where you can fully concentrate on your work?
Once you’ve decided on that, the next most important factor to remember is that this is still your home and should be designed how you want it to be. It needs to compliment your home and match the current design style of it. Just because it’s an office doesn’t mean you have to have a black office swivel chair, if you want a pink scallop chair, go for it!
Regarding colour, choosing the right colours for your working area is important to ensure you are reaping the benefits from the space. Colours such as blue and green will evoke feelings of calmness and relaxation and increase productivity whereas colours such as yellow and red are energising and can encourage creativity and confidence. How do you want to feel when working? What do you want this space to provide for you?
Choosing the right setting, desk and chair for your home office is essential! If you spend prolonged periods of time at the desk in front of the computer there are things you need to consider. Opt for a desk that is wide enough for your computer and anything else necessary to do your work. Ensure your chair is at the right height or is adjustable
These elements will ensure you are not stooped causing back injuries and you do not restrict blood flow. Also, your position is important to ensure you avoid glare on the screen and avoid the need to twist and turn constantly causing pain in your arms, neck and back. Remember you need to be comfortable!
If you have a small space for your office, it’s a good idea to add a mirror to make the area feel bigger. What other accessories could you add to personalise your working area and make it somewhere you enjoy being? Perhaps some artwork or family photos or mementoes from your holiday? Things that will make you smile and feel happy.
If you have room for it, a rug is a must have addition to your working space. It will warm up the space and make you feel cosy and also stop your swivel chair from sliding all over the place!
As I said, I am currently in the process of designing an office for a client as well as starting the planning process for my own working space which is very exciting! Any guesses on what I might do?! My client has asked for her current set up to be updated and we’re currently discussing incorporating her gorgeous view of a castle. I’ll be back soon with further news on that! Maybe next month I will have further news on my own office as well.
In other news, I received the best Christmas present….yes you guessed it, the bioethanol fire for my living room that I’ve previously told you about. I’ll pop some photos on my social media soon!
I hope January has been kind to you all, speak next month!