A year on from the start of the pandemic, those of us who were just ‘making do’ with our home working space might finally have to admit that things are not going ‘back to normal’ anytime soon, and it’s time for a bit of investment. Whether your budget is large or small, with a bit of creativity you can transform your home office space into a haven of calm and productivity.
Save your back with a proper chair
The best investment you can make for your home office is a proper chair. It doesn’t need to look like you stole it from the office, but it does need to have lower back support, and be at the right height for your desk. Wayfair have an amazing range of styles and colours, so you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your home. Check them out here.
Invest in a flexible desk
Another option your back will love you for is a desk with standing and sitting options, so you don’t have to stay in one position all day. There are all kinds of options to choose from, including motorised desks, manual desks, and extensions for your existing desk, but for simplicity and affordability you can’t beat the Freedesk.
Supercharge your lighting
Those of you who read our recent blog on SAD will know we’re big fans of the power of good lighting. If you can’t get enough natural light into your home office, then you will want to ensure that your ceiling light has nice bright daylight bulbs, and a shade that doesn’t obscure the light – glass shades or minimalist designs are better than orbs or tulip shapes. You will also want a desk lamp that you can position precisely over your work, and this one from Ikea even comes with a wireless charging pad for your phone built in! Finally, if you’re doing a lot of video calls and want to look your best, a ring light is an absolute must! This article has a range of recommended options for all budgets.
Source some smart storage
Your home office can look really messy with all the things you need to keep close at hand. One of the best ways to smarten up is to invest in cupboards with doors – then you can shove all your stuff into the cupboard as messily as you like, but on the outside it looks calm and organised! Another option is to invest in a wheeled trolley that you can pull out when you’re working, but store hidden under your desk at the end of the day. This budget option from The Range is ideal – but remember to check the height of your desk first!
Bring nature into your home office
Being around nature is known to have a positive impact on our wellbeing, so why not bring nature inside with a few carefully chosen pot plants?
Whether you’re naturally green fingered or more of an unintentional plant killer, this article has suggestions that will suit your home office environment and your level of gardening skill.
Maximise your wall space
Is your desk cluttered with notes and reminders? Why not transfer these to your wall to free up some space? And you don’t have to go for a boring pinboard option these days. You can paint your wall with whiteboard paint so that you can write directly onto it with dry wipe erasers! Or you can even get magnetic paint so that you can attach all your notes directly to the wall with magnets! Much cooler, and potentially much larger, than a pinboard!
Splurge on some stationery
Who doesn’t love stationery? The crisp, clean feel of a brand new notebook, the rainbow colours of a pot full of pens, the satisfying click of a chunky stapler… Whether you love pastels or neons, are a fan of a motivational quote, or like simple clean lines, there are a myriad of options to stock your stationery drawer. With high street favourite Paperchase being recently saved from administration, maybe now is time to browse their selection of goodies?
With your new desk and chair, your nifty storage, mood-enhancing plants and lighting, and a fully stocked stationery cupboard, you’ll have everything you need for a productive home working environment.