According to a recent report, the average office employee spends just 1.5 days in the office each week, spending the rest of their working hours at home.
After investing £15 million into their UK headquarters and recognising the importance that the interior has on productivity and creativity, Moneypenny decided to speak to interior designer and creative director at Stone Superstore, Molly Woodward-Moor to discover how those working from their kitchen table, bedroom or a tiny office room can transform their home office space.
Utilising space, even in small rooms:
For those living in smaller spaces where creating a dedicated home office may not be feasible, there are budget-friendly ways to create an office environment in multipurpose spaces like the kitchen or bedroom.
This can be achieved by investing in compact and versatile furniture pieces such as fold-down desks or wall-mounted shelves that can be easily concealed when not in use. Additionally, utilizing storage solutions such as baskets, bins, or under-bed organizers can help maximize space and keep clutter at bay.
Bring the outside in:
Plants and natural elements can play a significant role in creating a calm work environment in a home office. Not only do plants improve air quality and reduce stress levels, but they also add a touch of freshness and vitality to a space.
Using natural materials such as wood, stone, or rattan in furniture and decor can also create a calming and grounding effect, helping to promote a sense of well-being and productivity.
Lighting can contribute to mood and eye comfort:
When it comes to lighting options in a home office, a combination of natural light and task lighting is ideal, playing a significant role in influencing mood and contributing to eye comfort.
Consider positioning your desk near a window to maximize natural light. Exposure to natural light sources during the day is beneficial to our overall well-being and mood regulation by boosting mental clarity. Not to mention a good amount of natural light can help to reduce the glare from working off a computer screen.
Using other light sources, such as adjustable desk lamps or overhead fixtures with dimmer switches, can provide additional illumination for tasks that require focused attention.
It’s important to ensure bulb temperature is correctly balanced for a home office.
Light that is too warm could make you feel drowsy and lack focus, however lighting that is too cold can lead to increased headaches and migraines.
To maximise productivity and comfort, use a 4000-5500K bulb that best emulates natural light, to avoid straining or squinting while working.
Mood boosting colours:
When selecting colour schemes for a home office, certain hues can help boost productivity and enhance focus.
Shades of blue are known to promote calmness and concentration, while greens can evoke a sense of balance and overall harmony.
Warm tones like yellows and oranges can energize and stimulate creativity, while neutrals such as whites and greys provide a clean and minimalist backdrop that can help reduce visual clutter and distractions. Ultimately, the ideal colour scheme will depend on unique work styles, individual preferences, and the specific atmosphere you wish to create in your home office.
