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Working from home is something a lot of us have experienced over the last few years. Some of us even for the first time, and although a lot of people have gone back to on-site working, some companies have decided to make working from home permanent. As a freelancer, I already worked from home and have done it since 2018, and although I love my workspace now, it hasn’t always been this way.
The thing with working from home, often means you spend a lot of time alone, and most jobs require some form of tech, however, spending so much time in one place can be draining especially when it’s in your own home. Therefore creating a workspace that motivates you, and provides you with somewhere comfortable to work is key.
So when it comes to making a workspace that will not only boost your mood but make you more creative in general, here’s what you need to consider.
Create a break area
It’s important to take regular breaks away from the computer during the day, therefore creating a break area is always a good idea. If you are like me and find leaving your workspace and heading into another room completely ruins your motivation, creating an area within your home office is a great idea. If you’re unsure what to include in your home office for a break area, here are some ideas from Big Bertha Original:
- A bean bag armchair for reading, drinking coffee or just taking a break.
- A large footstool which can be used for resting your feet at your desk or putting your feet up after a long day
- A faux fur throw perfect for late-night working and winter months
Think colour
The colour that surrounds us has a lot to do with our mood, therefore making sure your workspace is bright and cheerful is a great place to start. Adding a pop of colour to the walls can make a huge difference to any room. In my office, I have pale blue walls with a yellow feature wall. If you’re unsure what colour to use on the walls, aim for a colour that is known for being positive. Getting the correct shade is also important, putting a darker shade on your wall is more likely to create the opposite effect.
Luxdeco advises that yellow, orange, white and baby blue are all colours which are known for having a positive impact on our minds.
Lighting is everything
Whether you’re looking to bring in as much natural light as possible, or you’re looking for a light therapy option (or both), making sure your room is well lit at all times is essential. Low-lit rooms can cause headaches, and eye strain and make you feel more tired and lerthagic.
Introduce live plants
Introducing live plants to any working environment is a must, with studies advising plants have various benefits such as reducing stress, increasing productivity and some plants even clean the air. Not all plants are suitable for your workspace as you have to consider the needs of the plants, e.g. how much light they are getting. However, succulents such as aloe and cacti will thrive.
Keep your workspace for work
Although this may sound strange as it is in your home, however, avoiding your home office at times when you are not being productive can help to keep the focus when you ‘go to work’. Like when you leave work at the end of the day on a Friday, you don’t want to think about it until Monday, this allows you to recharge. Treating your home workspace, in the same way, is beneficial.
*This post is in collaboration with Big Bertha Original, however, all words and thoughts are my own.
