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Working from home has very quickly become the norm. Whether you work from home full-time or you spend a few days working remotely, more and more of us now require homes that are set up for homeworking. While it’s common for larger homes to come with a designated office, creating a home workspace has become a challenge.
How Do Workspaces Impact Productivity?
If you find yourself working while slumped on the sofa or hunched over a breakfast table, it’s only a matter of time until you experience discomfort. And once you start feeling uncomfortable, you can expect productivity levels to drop significantly.
There’s also the issue of disruption. If you don’t have a designated workspace and you’re working from a room where family members are coming and going, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself more interested in chatting or watching TV rather than getting work done.
But on the flip side, a functional workspace can have a strong impact on productivity. From soundproofing rooms to eliminate distractions to mood lighting that helps keep focus high, there are so many areas of a home office that are overlooked from a productivity perspective.
Why Minimalist Works for Home Offices
Minimalism has been on trend for a number of years now, and many homeowners have looked to follow a minimalist theme to enhance the style of their homes. In short, minimalist designs do exactly what you’d expect – keep things minimal!
This means avoiding items that are simply “for show” and only adding items that serve a genuine function. The end result is a stripped-back, spacious feel that is free from clutter. This is exactly why minimalism works for remote workers. As the old saying goes, a clear space is a clear mind and removing unnecessary items keeps your workspace clear and tidy.
A simple, monochrome colour palette can also help with this by reducing visual clutter, further contributing to a professional feel in your home office. However, it is worth pointing out that only using black and white can feel a little soulless. Pops of colour could be added through plants, canvas prints and so on.
Tips for Creating a Minimalist Home Office
Calm foundations
The foundations of your room should dictate the overall theme. If you’re going for a minimalist look, try sticking with a calming colour palette. As mentioned already, a monochrome colour palette can contribute to a calm feel, but if that’s your vibe, consider other ways to introduce neutral colours to your home office. A good rule is to stick to 2 or 3 colours; this prevents your room from becoming visually chaotic.
Function over decoration
As mentioned, a minimalist room prioritises function over decoration. To achieve this, focus on the things in your office that are needed. For example, a home office wouldn’t work without the following items:
● Office chair
● Desk
● Computer
● Storage
● Lighting
Now think of things like ornaments, bookshelves and decorative cushions. These things all occupy space and aren’t necessarily needed. However, don’t assume an item has no function just because you don’t ‘physically’ use it. A rug or a mirror can make a room appear bigger for example.
Prioritise ergonomics
A functional room is a comfortable one, and when working from home, ensuring you are comfortable should be priority number one. Be prepared to invest in ergonomics; this means optimising your equipment and setup to fit your body.
Adjustable desks and chairs can help with this as they can be adjusted to fit your setup and body. This also gives you the option to work while standing, which is a good way to protect your posture.
Use natural light
Light plays an important role in our mood, but don’t discount the power of natural light if trying to create a bright working environment. While LED lighting can closely replicate sunlight, nothing is as natural as allowing natural light to flow into your home. If possible, set your home office up in a room that has windows.
Alongside this, try setting your computer up close to a window. Having a pleasant view of the outdoors is perfect for screen breaks. There are also proven positive links between health and viewing nature through windows.
Final Thoughts
For most people, the work-from-home trend has been a positive one. It cuts out commuting time, eliminates the cost of getting to work and generally gives a better work-life balance. But the challenge for most is maintaining the same levels of productivity. When it comes to getting your job done, having a dedicated space is crucial, but optimising this space is also needed.
Following the tips above should leave you with a home office that doesn’t just look great, but also supports productivity too. If you’re interested in learning more about minimalist design, check out the other articles on our website.
