March 15th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

From freelancers and budding entrepreneurs to regular office workers, the UK has seen a huge increase in people working from home. Many people find the idea of working from home much more appealing since it is quiet and peaceful while providing you with the freedom to work on your own schedule. But if your home office doesn't feel like a place where you can get things done, it may not be as beneficial as you think. The truth is that many people have trouble creating a calming environment for themselves in their home offices where they can work without distraction. However, there are many ways to create an inviting workspace that will help you feel calm and motivated.

You can create a calming space in your home office simply through smart design choices and careful planning.

Careful design choices can be very beneficial to help create a relaxing environment to help create a place where you can relax and focus on your work. Some things to take into account when creating your home office are;

• Use natural light whenever possible. If you have the option to work in an office with windows, take advantage of it!
• Use a desk lamp if you need to work at night. If you don't have access to natural lighting during your typical work hours, consider using a desk lamp with soft lighting.
• Choose the right colour scheme to set the mood for your workspace
• Choosing the correct furniture to suit your needs
• Make sure your office is suitable for your needs
• Add some comforting touches

we will discuss these in a little more detail and explain how you can achieve them throughout the rest of this blog as well as some other things to consider.

Install soft lighting and use natural lighting strategically.

The ideal place to set your office up would be an area with plenty of natural light, as not only can this help reduce stress and increase productivity it makes you feel more awake and alert. If you don't have a whole room to dedicate to your office then choose an area of a room near a window so you can take advantage of the natural lighting.

If you don't have access to much natural light then using softer lighting is a great alternative. Soft lighting can also help reduce stress, so use a dimmer switch to control the brightness of lights. You can also use desk lamps instead of overhead lights and use task lighting to create a soothing effect. There is a fantastic range of LED lamps available that will not only use very little power but will allow you to choose between different lighting effects and adjust the brightness as you need. This kind of lighting is much better than harsh overhead lights that cause eyestrain and fatigue.

Use soothing colours to create a relaxing environment.

One of the easiest ways to create a calming office space is to use the right kind of colours. Colour psychology is very popular when it comes to both fashion and interior design. Colour psychology is the study of how different colours can affect how people feel.

Using warm colours such as reds, oranges and yellows will help to create more energy in your space and can help you feel more re-invigorated. So if you find yourself lacking motivation using these energised colours can be a fantastic choice for you.

Alternatively, if you work in quite a busy high-stress job then use cooler colours like blue and green to help create a sense of tranquillity in your space. The lighter colour choice will also serve to make a room feel more open.

Choosing the correct furniture

It's important to have a comfortable workspace, especially if you spend a lot of time in it and choosing the right furniture will help to make you feel more comfortable.

It is incredibly important to make sure you have suitable furniture in your office. Ensure your desk is the right height for you, if you purchase an adjustable desk then you will be able to set it to the right height depending on how tall or short you are. This is important as it will help to ensure correct posture which will alleviate any back pain that can occur when slouching, likewise if you are more comfortable it is easier to focus on your tasks at hand.

The same principles apply when choosing the right chair. If your chair isn't ergonomic, it can cause back pain and other health issues that will make working less enjoyable! So, ensure you get a chair that is not only comfortable to sit on but also provides adequate support. Once you have picked a chair that suits your needs it is important to make sure it adjusts to the correct height, this should allow you to place both of your feet to sit flat on the floor, also ensure that seats are not too far reclined or too far forward as this will put pressure on your hips and your lower back. You should also consider whether or not the chair has adequate armrests--if they aren't long enough, they might not provide enough support for your arms while typing at the computer (or whatever else). While these things may not seem important at first, it is hard to feel comfortable and relaxed when you are not comfortable so it really is important to consider these things when setting up your home office.

Include some home comforts.

Including some home comforts in your office will also help to create a space which feels more comfortable and relaxed, after all, you don't want your office to appear too empty. If you spend a lot of time in your office you want it to be a pleasant place, not a punishment!

These home comforts can include things such as personal pictures, candles or maybe some houseplants. Not only will these make the rooms feel more open and relaxed but they can also help to increase productivity and motivation.

If you find sitting at your desk for longer periods of time can cause some discomfort to your back even with the help of an ergonomic chair, consider adding some other home comforts such as heated pillows, not only will the heat help to soothe and relax muscle pain but they will look nice too!

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Challenge the idea of 'busy' spaces.

Challenge the idea of 'busy' spaces. It's easy to think of a cluttered office as a sign of productivity, but this isn't necessarily true. In fact, too much clutter can make you less productive and more stressed out than you'd be if your space was more organized and streamlined.

According to research by Dr Amy Cuddy at Harvard University, people who are surrounded by lots of objects have higher levels of cortisol--the stress hormone--than those whose offices have fewer things in them. This means that having an uncluttered desk actually helps reduce stress levels!

We hope we've inspired you to create a more calming workspace in your home office. It doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, but it does require some thought and planning. You can start by choosing colours that reflect your mood and lighting that makes you feel at ease. Then, take time out each day to enjoy this space with its organised layout and soft lighting - it will help keep you focused while making sure that stress doesn't get out of control!