Although permanent moves back to the office still hang in the balance thanks to fluctuating pandemic struggles, Covid-19 continues to spark an interesting debate about the future of the workplace, nonetheless.
Some of us can’t wait to get back to our cosy ecru cubicles, whilst others want to return to an office that feels more fit for the future. Some of us, on the other hand, would be quite content to stay at home forever. Some, further, don’t have a choice as many businesses have moved completely to remote working and have said goodbye to their office spaces for good.
If you’re part of the latter group, then you need to make your working from home space a place you actually want to be. To help, we’ve pulled together these 6 design and decor ideas for those still working from home.
CREATE A VISION BOARD
Working from home can feel a little isolating, especially if you’re a solopreneur rather than a remote worker in a salaried position. With no colleagues to vibe with in person or on messenger systems, cabin fever can set in quickly. To mitigate against this, creating a vision board with pictures of friends, family, goals and aims can be a real motivator during those tough days when it’s you against the world. Find out how to make one at Mindvalley.
Read: 5 of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of the office when working from home
BUILD A TRENDY GARDEN POD
Summer is nearly here and no-one wants to be stuck indoors. Enter the trendy garden pod – a stylish and practical solution to your working from home woes. Garden pods come in all shapes and sizes. However, please be sure that your pod is designed with windows and other features that maximise natural light. Otherwise, you’ll effectively be working in a dark, dank shed. Which no one wants. Speaking of which…
CREATE A SHOFICE (SHED OFFICE)
”Shoo! Leave me alone, we’re trying to get some work done here, go bother your brother!’’
Whilst a ‘shoofice’ certainly ticks a few boxes, the real term is ‘shofice’, and is an amalgamation of ‘shed’ and ‘office’. Anything for a tenuous segue, hey?
Converting an existing or new shed into an office is surprisingly easy. First of all, you’ll need the actual structure, of course. If you don’t have a shed in your garden, this how-to guide by Shedplans.org will help you build your own. Alternatively, ready assembled garden sheds are available, though you’ll pay for the convenience.
After that, the primary considerations are lighting, electricity, heating and insulation, the latter two being essential during the UK’s long winters, with the upcoming stretch of summer the perfect time to bed in and properly assemble the structure.
Read: 5 home office changes to make this summer
PAINT YOUR WALLS TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY & WELLNESS
Orange is a stimulating colour that has a vibrant look and ‘feel’. It’s a great choice for your home office space, helping to keep you energised as you hop from one Zoom meeting to the next. However, if a space is too orange and on the brighter end of the spectrum, then you might feel like you’ve just walked into a room designed by Sainsbury’s marketing team. Accordingly, approach such shades with caution.
When it comes to designing a space that promotes wellness, try green for your home office or whichever room you choose to park yourself in with your laptop for the day. Green is a restful colour for your eyes, so it’s a good choice for when you need a break from staring at Slack messages.
JOIN CO-WORKING SPACE
Ok, this one isn’t so much a design tip. Instead, we’re telling you to go and enjoy someone else’s design and decor skills….
Working from home can get lonely, make no mistake. It can feel pretty overwhelming to be working at your kitchen table, only to expect yourself to then spend the evening relaxing in the very same place as soon as you slam shut your laptop.
What? You don’t slam? Anyway, enter the co-working space….
The design experts at 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, who offer co-working facilities and hot desks for start-ups and small companies, tell us that most co-working spaces are designed specifically to boost creativity and productivity, from ergonomic and adjustable chairs to the colours of paint on the walls.
Here at IDEAL, we love green co-working spaces as a concept. These workspaces often incorporate green living walls and abundant real flowers and plants into their design. As such, they offer a fresh and oh-so-vibrant atmosphere while helping you feel closer to nature too. Speaking of which…
ADD LOTS OF PLANTS
Whilst the air-purifying, productivity-boosting effects of houseplants is debated, what can’t be denied is the mood-lifting quality of that natural aesthetic in the home office. Indeed, surrounding yourself with as many plants and flowers as possible is great for bringing a bit of cheer and positivity to oyur space.
If you’re new to the houseplant game and are looking for something low maintenance, then turn to aloe vera or cacti, which only require weekly watering during spring and summer and monthly in the colder months.
Check out our article on the best air purifying plants for your home office for some inspiration!