Following the global Covid-19 pandemic, more of us are continuing to work from home than ever before, with a seemingly permanent societal shift towards greater work-life balance and many offices shutting up shop and moving their communications with staff online in a bid to cut costs.
Remote working, it seems, is the answer to many of the problems and challenges of modern life, but it does come with some of its own. While many of us were happy to set up camp at the kitchen table or hide out in the spare room during the temporary lockdowns of the past two-and-a-half years, we’re now seeking solutions that will set us up for the long-haul. And at the heart of that is looking to create a private space that will keep us away from distractions, stimulate focus and foster creativity.
No longer are we willing to settle for a make-shift set-up and now, we want the time spent in our home offices to feel nourishing and supportive of our goals and dreams, with little luxuries seen as essential ingredients to that end. Bright, light spaces that both look good and feel good are the order of the day – so here are some easy ways to achieve just that.
A place to focus
If you have a large home and plenty of options when it comes to where to locate your luxury home office, then it’s a decision not to be taken lightly. Given that it’s meant to be a place where you can fully focus and get into the flow of productivity each day, it’s important to choose a quiet space that is away from the noise and distractions of a busy household if you can, and where footfall is at a minimum. With this in mind, you might even consider using a garden room, or having one purpose-built with you and your work in mind.
A light and bright space
Plenty of natural light is essential when it comes to creating a productive environment and in the autumn and winter, exposure to daylight will help to regulate your circadian rhythm and ward off tiredness during the shorter days of the year.
Opt for a room with several large windows – floor to ceiling are best – that gets natural light throughout the day. Ideally, you’ll be facing a garden or green space while sitting at your desk, as feeling connected with nature has been shown to promote feelings of calmness and boost creativity – but if it’s not an option, simply allowing daylight to flow through the space as much as possible can alone make a world of difference.
Of course, there will be times when artificial lighting is required, but choose yours carefully. Lamps or pendant lights can be positioned strategically around the room to light up dark corners or to shine a spotlight on your workspace in the mornings and afternoons, and a SAD light can be a great addition during the winter months if you’re lacking in natural light and find yourself feeling tired, lethargic and unproductive.
An inspiring design aesthetic
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can have some fun with designing your space and putting your own personal stamp on it by choosing colours, furnishings and fabrics you love – but make sure these are conducive to the type of working atmosphere you want to create. While a neutral or monochrome colour palette might be the most obvious choices, consider adding some brighter hues of blue, which can encourage better mind flow and performance; orange, which is said to promote improved focus, concentration and creativity; or green, which can create an uplifting yet calming feel.
The right set-up
Equally important when it comes to creating an optimal environment is the set-up. First, consider the position of your desk – place it facing a window if you can, as this will expose you to as much natural light as possible throughout the day and prevent the sun from reflecting off your computer screen and causing headaches.
Sitting at a desk for hours on end can make you feel sluggish and lethargic, so to encourage you to get up and move around a little more throughout the day, consider getting yourself a standing desk. Using this type of adjustable office desk offers many benefits, including an increased calorie burn throughout the day and keeping you more alert. Sitting for long periods can also be bad for your muscles and joints and poor seated posture can result in back, neck and shoulder aches and pains, so by forcing yourself to stand, you’ll be doing yourself a favour from a physical perspective, too.
If you must have a chair, then ensure that it is an ergonomically designed piece that is equipped to support you and keep your back straight. Thankfully, in this day and age you can get some beautiful designer pieces of furniture that are as practical as they are aesthetically pleasing.