You probably spend most of your work days sitting in your office so it should be a welcoming room that supports your working style. When you create a home office that meets your needs and preferences, you’ll work harder and smarter.
No matter what your job is, your home office environment can influence your productivity and concentration. When your office is comfortable and inviting, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and focused on your daily tasks.
The Cozy Factor
Something that is often forgotten by many when designing a home office is what we like to call the ‘cozy factor’. Your home office doesn’t need to be bland and boring, even if your job is formal and requires you to participate in regular team meetings.
Having a cold and uninviting home office can cause you to become demotivated very quickly. You won’t want to sit in a plain, half-empty room for several hours a day, and you might find yourself wanting to sit on the sofa to do your work instead.
A lot of the time, getting in ‘the mood’ to work depends on your surroundings. That’s why it’s so important to constantly improve your home office to make sure it boosts your productivity, instead of dampening it.
Finding ways to make your home office cozier and more homely will make the space more inviting. You’ll genuinely want to sit in your office all day and get your work done. No more procrastinating and no more doing your work on the sofa in front of the television!
How Can You Make Your Home Office Cozy and Homely
Buying comfortable furniture, hanging up your favorite family photos, and even painting the walls a different color…there are plenty of things that you can do to make your home office more homely and inviting.
Whether you’re a remote employee or a business owner, give the following things a go to give your home office the ‘cozy factor’!
- Use Plants to Enhance Your Interior Design
Studies show that surrounding yourself with nature can lower stress and anxiety. If you’re somebody who often feels overwhelmed with your workload, placing plants around your home can help to keep you calm.
So, bring nature indoors and add lots of different plants to your home office. You’ll feel less isolated and lonely when you’ve got some greenery to connect you with the great outdoors.
Plants also enhance the aesthetics of your home office. They contribute to your existing interior design and make the space look more homely and inviting.
Get yourself a range of plants and flowers, some small and some large. Place large plant pots in the corners of the room, a hang a basket of flowers by the window. You can also get yourself some mini succulents for your desk to make you smile as you work.
If you’re somebody who doesn’t enjoy looking after plants, you can get fake plants and flowers. They will look just as good in your home office as the real thing!
- Create the Perfect Lighting
It’s important to allow natural light to flow into your home office to keep it bright and airy. Open the curtains as soon as you start your working day to signal to your body that it’s time to work. Keep the window space clear to allow as much sunlight into the room as possible.
Natural light improves productivity. It helps to regulate your body’s circadian rhythm, keeping you awake during the day and allowing you to become sleepier as you finish work. It also boosts your mood and motivation by increasing the production of serotonin and dopamine.
Sunlight is beneficial for your physical and mental health too. It enhances vitamin D synthesis, which improves your hormone profile and immune function. When you’re healthy and positive, you can maximize your career success.
Although sunlight can make a room feel more welcoming, you might want to make your home office even cozier. Plus, you’ll need some extra lighting in wintertime when daylight hours are minimal.
Thread some fairy lights across the curtain pole or place a salt rock lamp on your work desk to make your office look as homely as possible.
- Place a Cozy Rug on the Floor
There’s nothing cozier than a fluffy rug. If you want to maximize the cozy factor of your home office, get yourself a large, shaggy rug that covers most of the floor space (depending on how big your office is, of course).
Even if you have online work meetings all day, you can feel relaxed and cozy with your feet resting on a fluffy rug. It adds warmth, character, and color to the room.
Whether you go for a neutral-colored rug or one that is covered with funky patterns,it will act as a stunning centerpiece to make your home office feel as cozy as your bedroom.
- Keep the Air Clean and High-Quality
A homely office doesn’t just come down to the style and aesthetics of the room. The Indoor air quality also counts toward the overall vibe of your office. When the room smells and feels fresh, you’ll want to spend more time there and the room will feel cozier.
Poor air quality can impact your productivity and concentration. It can also negatively impact your health, especially if you already suffer from a respiratory condition. It may trigger asthma and cause you to get ill more often, which could disrupt your workflow.
Keeping your air clean and fresh will boost your focus and keep you awake during the day. You’ll procrastinate less and get more work done throughout the day.
So, how can you clean your air? One of the best and most simple things that you can do is open the window. This will improve air circulation and keep a steady flow of fresh, oxygenated air coming into the room.
If it’s the middle of winter and you don’t fancy sitting in sub-zero conditions, buy an air purifier to keep in the corner of your office. It will pull toxins from the air to keep it crisp and clean.
