Give your home office a makeover with these 4 easy tips
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around a third (3.5 million) of working Australians regularly work from home, with 20% (700,000) of these using their home as their main office. This means there’s an awful lot of people out there who have to make space for a desk, studio or workshop in their home, which also means there are a fair number who are struggling to find the time to organise their workspace and make it a pleasant place to be.
To get you motivated, we’ve come up with 4 easy things you can do to freshen up your work space that don’t take too much time or effort.
1. A change is as good as a holiday
Regardless of the size of your home office or work space, or whether it’s in the corner of the lounge room or an independent area, rearranging the furniture is a great way to give it a new lease on life. Start by sitting in the place you usually work and have a good look around. Ask yourself, what furniture do I actually use and what’s superfluous?For example, if you have a shelf full of files that hasn’t been touched for some time, why not see this as a chance to sort them, shred what’s no longer needed, and get rid of that shelf or repurpose elsewhere. This gives you more options for rearranging the furniture that you do actually use.
If you sit at a desk, perhaps it’s time to change the view? Generally, if you have the option of looking out or being close to a window, this is the best place for your desk. There’s no doubt that natural light and having something other than your screen to focus on is good for your mental health and productivity. If your desk is already in the only available window seat, or even if you don’t have a window, think about changing the view in subtle but effective ways. Rearrange the personal items on your desk, replace the window coverings, put some pot plants on the windowsill or update the artwork on the walls — these are all great ways to make a change without causing massive disruption to your business or home.
2. Get sorted
Use the rearrangement of your office as a chance to declutter and improve your storage. Start with sorting through your paperwork. We all tend to keep records well beyond any requirement to do so. Anything you want to keep but don’t need on a daily basis can be stored in airtight plastic tubs in the garage or shed, clearly labelled in case you do need it at some stage. Then explore some creative storage options for the stuff you do need on hand, so it doesn’t take up too much space and contributes to the overall ambience of your office.While there are abundant storage options available at office supply stores, you might want to look into a DIY solution, adding your own distinctive touch and saving on money in the long run. Take a look at this board from Better Homes & Gardens, which has a stack of creative ideas for storage, and for home office makeovers in general.
3. Lighten up
Good lighting is one of the most important elements of a healthy and productive workspace, so making some changes to your light source is an easy way to improve the look and feel of your home office. Thankfully, a home office doesn’t have to be lit up like an office building; rather, you can choose your lighting so it fits in with the rest of your house, while at the same time adding to the atmosphere of your office.Firstly, natural light is always best, so if you have a big window, count yourself lucky. If you’re working on a computer, position your desk or work table so it’s facing the window, to avoid the glare hitting the screen. People working with their hands, such as sewing or woodwork, might prefer to have the window behind them. In both cases, add to the natural light with an overhead light and/or a desk lamp. Use a warm white bulb, rather than the more institutional cool white, as this will give your office space a welcoming touch.
If your space lacks natural light (or in some cases, you might have none at all), you should do some research into what kind of lighting is going to be the most energy efficient, while still providing the wattage and ambiance you need for a pleasant work space. Have a look at our post on ‘LED vs halogen and fluorescent lighting’ for a good discussion of the different kinds of bulbs and their pros and cons. Think about combining a number of light sources — a standard lamp, overhead and a desk lamp —adding up to the light you need to do your job, while creating a comfortable and distinctive space.
4. Bring the outside in (or the inside out)
Indoor plants are a great way to enhance the look of your work space and improve the air quality at the same time. There are dozens of plants that either emit oxygen or extract toxins, such as the Peace Lily, which removes benzene, ammonia, acetone and ethyl from the atmosphere, or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, which adds oxygen. And the colour green is known to have a calming and harmonising effect on mood, so periodically zoning out while gazing at your plants is actually good for you!Another way to bring some zest to your work day is to move your office outside on occasion, taking advantage of the milder weather. Whether this means shifting your computer to your back deck or finding a pleasant spot to read some reports at the local park depends on your situation, but both offer an easy way to change the view, immerse yourself in the outdoors and break up the work week.
Date:
26 September 2017
Category:
Business
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Living Sustainably
