HOMELY OFFICE - TIPS FOR A BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY HOME OFFICE

Working from home is so common that most houses would benefit from either an office or an office nook somewhere in the home.

When working from home there is no one to upgrade your chair if you're slumping, no one to remind you to take a break, or to give you stick if your desk is unorganised and cluttered. It is all up to you to ensure that you are taking care of yourself whilst working from home. So here are some tips to help create a healthy home work space.

SIMPLICITY

Keep your office desk simple is key.

Notice I said desk, not space. Even if you work a creative job and have inspirations pinned to the wall, product around, packing materials etc, keep your desk clear, it is stillness in the chaos and helps keep a clear head when its time to get busy on the computer.

DESK DECOR

I do recommend a little something on the desk, a plant, a lamp, something cute to decorate it but keep to one or two things and ensure there is plenty of space for them to sit undisturbed. A little decor celebrates your desk, personalises it and offers a view for an eye break.

COLOUR

Obviously this part is my favourite, the office for me is often a room or space to introduce some colour, because the office needs a sense of transition from the rest of the home.

To pick a wall colour, define the direction of the room (N,S,E,W), consider the colour palette of the home to ensure it is cohesive yet with its own character and pick something that will either hone your focus or disperse it.

E.g work on your computer only? Go deep.

Need to make something, pack it and send it? Go light and/or bright.

LIGHT

Relevant to colour, how much natural light do you have and how does it affect the room during work hours? Do you work nights and do you have adequate light at night.

Desk bound work benefits largely from a desk lamp, a studio space will need a well lit room with minimal shadows - so evenly distributed down lights work great.

CHAIR

For me the perfect office chair is ergonomic (supports body posture) but also a touch of cozy. I recommend an upholstered office chair, leather or fabric, because sitting down to your computer should feel cozy, especially in the winter. It also offers a textural shift from the hard surfaces of the desk and is visually more appealing for it. Ditch the hard surface office chairs, you deserve more comfort than that.

SUNLIGHT

If your office happens to be East or West facing, you are going to get strong sunlight pouring in, which might be lovely but diffusing that light is going to soften shadows and be easier on your eyes, consider sheers or sunscreen roller blinds to let that beautiful sunshine in but as a glow not rays. The perfect layout has your desk at a right angle to the window.

CLOCK IT

Get a clock, on the wall, not a digital one.

This move is offering a visual break from the screen, movement to check it and a decorative feature to the room.

Add these tips together and you have yourself a supportive and pleasant office. We are meant to live in beautiful spaces and even spaces that have a more utilitarian purpose can be so beautiful with a little thought and care.

There is room to be very clever here with light, colour and application so have a little fun with it and remember to take those breaks.

Have a fabulous day , designing your life x

'The Healing Spaces Project'.