Home Office Working – 5 Design Tips To Be Even More Productive

By Olivia Rahim | November 3, 2019

A dedicated home office is your personal space – and an opportunity to pimp the room to suit your preferences. 

Whilst designing a home office appears to have endless opportunities, it’s important to consider critical elements that will enhance rather than hinder your performance. 

Your first thought may be to design a home office that is fashionable and functional. However, a space that is strictly business-orientated should also include elements that aid your cognitive performance and give your productivity levels a boost. 

Invest In The Right Furniture 

A work environment that is tailored to help you perform at optimum levels is key to maintaining productivity in a home office. Investing in an ergonomic chair and accessories protects your back and limbs from injury and reduces the number of work hours you lose as a result of bad posture. 

Ergonomic chairs tend to be bulkier than standard office chairs generally regarded as suitable for home offices. So if you need to compromise between desk space and floor space, an L-shaped desk cold prove to be a suitable solution.

Add Greenery 

Studies have shown that plants improve memory and concentration. Adding a few potted pals to your home office can, therefore, help keep your brain active and healthy and your productivity levels at optimum levels. According to a NASA study, plants reduce stress and clear the air of toxins. Further investigations have identified a bucket list of plants that are proven to help you focus and improve efficiency. 

Hang Artwork 

Art inspires, motivates and reduces stress. Because visual images evoke emotions, it is human nature to react to a piece of artwork that resonates with you.

It’s not a coincidence that more businesses are investing in inspirational artwork. Deutsche Bank recognised the benefits art had on their employees in the early ’90s and have added an impressive gallery of works in over 700 locations around the world. 

Art works equally well in a small home setting. Images of sweeping landscapes bring a sense of calm whilst thought-provoking scenes of modern times can provide inspiration for creatives. 

Natural Light 

According to a study conducted by the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell, optimizing the amount of natural light can come into a room can significantly improve your health and wellbeing. 

The study revealed that employees working in an office environment that received plenty of natural light reported an 84 per cent drop in symptoms of eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision symptoms. On warm days, sunlight will enhance your mood and give your productivity a boost. 

Relaxing Colors 

It’s widely known in psychology and design circles that color impacts cognitive behavior and influences mood. Color has even been found to increase blood pressure and affect vision. 
A study at the University of Texas found that light pastel shades of blue, green and purple are most effective for stimulating the mind. Because soft pastel hues encourage feelings of tranquillity, it helps the brain stay focused and concentrated. 
Bright colors, on the other hand, overwhelm the senses and are ultimately a distraction. However, splashes of yellows, reds and oranges energize a room and can help to keep you motivated. 
Whether you work from home for yourself or for a company, you will always need to maintain productivity levels that meet your goals. To do that, your brain has to function at optimal performance – and your environment plays a major role in how your mind works.