An office space is a unique part of your home. Whether you have an entire room set-up as an office or you have a small section of a bedroom, this is a space that needs to be well designed and functional.
I am going to share some easy ways you can promote a home office that allows you to find peace, but also gives you the best opportunity for success.
Pick the Right Colors
If you know about color theory you understand that certain colors not only pair well together, but colors promote a certain mood. In an office, you have a lot of choices when it comes to color.
However, if you want an office that is calming, only a few are an absolute no.
My first color to avoid is red. If you look at the vibrant or muted shades of red there are studies showing it increases blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Red promotes anger, passion, and excitement. If your aim is to create a calming work environment, red is to be avoided. Historically, red has symbolized danger, power, and violence. Why do you think stop signs are red?
They get our attention and show us an immediate threat.
The second color to avoid in your office is black. Now decor items with black are fine, but I wouldn’t paint an entire room or have more than 30% of a space use the color black if the aim is to promote serenity and productivity. Black is often considered a neutral in the design world, for good reason! It pairs well with different design styles and with so many materials.
Black offers contrast in an otherwise dull room. However, black has some downsides if overused in an office setting.
Let’s start with the fact that black absorbs light. If you are looking to have a place that prompts you to find a calming setting, but keeps you focused, black will likely make you feel depressed, anxious, and even scared at times. Having too much around you suppresses happiness and therefore, hinders positive energy and productivity.
Would you want a home office where you feel like you aren’t enough or the world is closing in on you?
Me neither.
I personally love black for other areas of the home, just not in an office setting. If you love the color black, consider a deep green or blue-gray instead. You can have some of the moodiness you get with black, without the drawback of feeling insufficient or depressed.
Pro Tip: If you too love the color black, place it in areas that you use for short durations. You can also use black in rooms with lots of natural light to balance out the heaviness of black. Dining rooms are used less than an office and for shorter durations. Consider black in a powder bathroom as well if you want a moody space.
My final color doesn’t need to be completely avoided, but needs to be used with caution.
Yellow is a bright and cheerful color. I love yellow for infusing a burst of personality, but yellow won’t promote a peaceful setting. The one exception here is if you use a very subdued yellow, think something that borders on creamy or tan. Colors like Lemon Merengue from Sherwin Williams or Apple Core from Behr are two yellows that will look lovely in just about any lighting.
The key to yellow is to just mute it. If you want your space to feel calming, you can’t use a bright yellow. There are many benefits to the color yellow, but keep in mind that yellow can also be associated with illness and cowardice.
If you love yellow, use it, but just opt for a very muted yellow. Consider using a deep rich yellow like Golden Retriever by Benjamin Moore, if your aim is to have a space that isn’t distracting.
Use Drawer and Cabinet Organizers
What can possibly be worse than an office where you are constantly misplacing things or looking for something?
A home office is really only as good as it is functional. If you have an office with any sort of cabinetry, desk drawers, etc. you need to get organized!
Finding small containers or bins to help you keep things grouped with like items is a must for maximum productivity. In larger drawers or cabinets, organizers and a system is especially important. That bottom drawer in an office desk can quickly become a catch all if you are not careful. So be sure to measure each drawer and cabinet and search for organizers to help you corral your things.
For most of us, paper is going to be the biggest challenge.
Pro Tip: Store your paper vertically rather than horizontally.
If you don’t have a filing system, consider putting one in or purchase a few binders. A binder allows you to easily add important papers and have labeled sections.
Let in the Light and Know Your Placement
If you want to give your work environment an instant boost, sit near a window. Studies show that having natural light is beneficial, but sitting next to a window is especially effective.
In your home office you may have to contend with a door or an obstruction you can’t avoid. Maybe your home office is in your bedroom, in any case, do your best to sit near a window for peak performance. You should also keep in mind that while looking directly out might seem pleasant at first, it can be a bit distracting. It can also force you to strain your eyes more when working at a computer, that doesn’t sound appealing.
The ideal desk is actually placed parallel to the window. This desk placement allows you to reap the benefits of the natural light, but lessen distractions.
Have your desk face a wall or door in the middle of the room with a window on your side.
Don’t have your back facing the door if you can help it.
With a window to your side, you won’t be forced to strain your eyes as much (there is going to probably be some sort of glare). Not only do you want to have that natural light soak up your office where possible, you also want to be able to control the amount of light coming in.
Depending on your work or what is happening, there may be times where you actually want to keep natural light out. If you ever fall into this category, definitely be sure to have quality curtains so you can partially or completely close off windows.
Have a Variety of Lighting Options
Yes, natural light is great, but there may be cases where it is dark outside or you just frankly need more options. Have no less than three lighting options in your office space (a window counts as one).
You need overhead lighting and at least one source of task lighting. If you have a desk lamp or floor lamp nearby those will suffice. However, if you have a larger office just remember you need no less than three light sources, but the bigger your space the more lighting you want available.
If you work late into the evening you want the ability to light the room well enough without actually needing to turn on the ambient lighting. Sconces, floor lamps, table lamps, picture lights, shelf lighting, all of these options can really help you create a home office space that allows you to be productive day or night.
Bring in the Outdoors
I know what I said earlier about the outside being a distraction, but there are real benefits to having living things like plants in our home, especially in an office space.
Plants are natural air purifiers and they actual help boost our mood and lower our stress levels. Sounds like a great way to create a calming environment in an instant. While not every plant boosts your mood, just being surrounded by nature in general has a positive effect on your overall well being. So, bring the outdoors in with some greenery in your home office.
Get Comfortable
While an office can look beautiful, it must be a space where you can actually handle working for hours at a time.
Ergonomic design is especially important with an office and how your desk is set-up will determine your long-term success. Find a chair that supports your back properly and keeps your lower back cushioned. If you have a chair that lacks lumbar support, add a pillow to lean back against as you work.
A chair is an extremely important piece of your home office, so do yourself a favor and don’t sacrifice your body for a few dollars or a “cute” chair.
There are so many options that are beautiful and ergonomic. Below are some of my favorite chairs offering support and style.
The Rule of 7
Minimize the number of things that live permanently on your desk. My own rule is to keep visual clutter to a minimum and to do that I decided that I would keep no more than 7 things on my desk permanently.
At the end of each day, anything beyond those seven items must be put away. So decide what seven things you want to keep out on your desk and find a new home for everything else!
Display Photos and Artwork
I don’t know about you, but what keeps me exited in my day-to-day is working towards a goal, but specifically a family goal. There is nothing that fuels my fire like my family. Keep photos and art that makes you happy in your work space.
When you are having a tough day or struggling, these little things can help you refocus and push through. I keep a photo from my wedding on my desk (one of my seven items).
Whatever you keep in your work space just be sure it sparks joy and motivates you.
There you have it, 8 tips for creating a serene and productive home office environment. Let me know if you have a different tip to share!
If you want to have your home featured on Kinsale Home, submit your request.
From the time I was a young child, I have loved interior design and beautiful things. Ten-year-old me would create “floor plans” on notebook paper and design the dream homes of my siblings. We would have an initial meeting and after jotting down their wish list, I got to work creating the home of their dreams.
After designing the layout, I would take the Sunday newspaper ads (are those still a thing?) and cut out pictures of furniture, lamps, and accessories to create mood boards for each room in the home. When I was all done, weeks and weeks later, I would showcase my work and pitch my design ideas to a sibling.
If you too enjoy beautiful things and the process of turning a vision into a reality, welcome! If you love watching homes transform, but just don’t know how to start or have the resources to buy everything you like, stick around. I love finding affordable and practical design solutions to give YOU a gorgeous home you can be proud of.
Together, let’s reveal what’s possible.
Kinsale Home is a place to get inspiration and tips for your next project. No matter the size of your budget, design needs to be personal and practical. Join along for beautiful, family-friendly weekly inspiration and design advice.
