DESIGNING YOUR HOME WORKSPACE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO CONSIDER
Though we’ll take great care to create a pleasant ambience within our homes' living spaces and bedrooms, we’re often less inclined to furnish our workspace with the same attention. Yet, with UAE workers averaging up to 48 hours of work a week, you may be spending significant time in your home workspace. While it is imperative that this space is functional, to optimise your productivity, the modern workspace can be a little more holistic – taking into account how you work best within a space. If you’d like to know how to curate a modern and functional workspace that makes it easier to stay calm and focused as you work your way through long hours, read on through our useful guide.
What do I need from my workspace?
Consider how much workspace you need your desk to provide. Many workers use multiple screens now, and creative types may work best when they can lay out their materials without feeling cluttered and restricted. Perhaps the most functional desk for you would be one that is easy to move to free up floor space or change your work spot to prevent boredom. Your workspace may need to offer plenty of storage and organisational solutions to reflect the nature of your business, or maybe you need only your laptop and an aesthetic that will inspire you each day. List your needs and purchase accordingly.
What is my aesthetic?
A workspace can only be functional if you feel motivated to work within it. Before you start purchasing furniture and décor, stop to think about the aesthetic you want to achieve. Though personal taste should come into play, if colleagues or clients visit your office, you must ensure the overall look remains professional. Though it’s increasingly common for work workspaces to look less 'beige' and have more personality, we still need to be careful to create a professional vibe. Cohesive interior design will help you achieve this while still allowing you to stamp your individuality on the space. Set the tone with your desk, selecting between a traditional wooden model or a striking contemporary piece. Bring in complementary furniture items, such as your desk chair, comfortable seating, bookcases and shelving. Find decorative pieces that add pops of colour or textural interest to avoid that sterile office feel.
Utilise your walls
The colour you paint your walls or the style of wallpaper you use will have a big impact on your workspace. Though neutral colours are calming and can help your chosen accent pieces pop, research has also indicated that blues can sharpen our focus. Taking the holistic approach to workspace design, if you feel inspired or have your mood lifted by a bold, colourful feature wall, allow your creativity to run wild.
Let your personality shine with carefully selected wall art and prints that soothe or spark your creativity. If your workspace is a little bijou, use wall mirrors to create a greater sense of space and light. Shelving mounted on the walls can also solve storage issues if you don’t have much floor space and can enhance productivity by putting items in instant reach.
Bring in natural elements
Research from the Netherlands revealed that bringing plants into the workplace increases productivity by 15%. Nature is, after all, both calming and inspiring, so why not introduce some trendy house plants into your space to produce a zen vibe? With plenty of stunning faux plants available, you can still feel like you’re bringing the outdoors in, even if you're not a keen gardener.
Consider using natural materials such as wooden flooring and furniture to give your space an earthier, tranquil feel. Soothe yourself with a water feature, or place one outside your office window to enjoy the relaxing sounds. Be sure to allow in plenty of natural light, which has been shown to enhance productivity, with easily adjusted blinds or floaty curtains for a softer look.
Streamlining your work processes
You’ve thought about the type of furniture and organisational tools you need, but how can you arrange these to streamline your work processes? Locate your desk close to sockets so you can neatly connect your IT without having distracting, trailing cables. If you need more than one desk in your space, an office desk on wheels will let you move easily from one to the other. Choose organisational solutions that will let you clearly see your items. Though you may like baskets and boxes for hiding clutter in other rooms in the home, open shelves and bookcases will make it more efficient for you to find what you need.
Factor in wellness
Stress is, to some extent, part of working life (and indeed, some people thrive under the pressure of deadlines and targets). However, it can also negatively impact our ability to focus and concentrate, dampening our creativity and making us fatigued. A tidy, tranquil space keeps the mind clear, and you can also add touches that will allow you to better manage your stress. Include a comfortable seating area for taking breaks and unwinding with a book or magazine. Add tactile soft furnishings to offer comfort after hours of staring at a screen. Include an ergonomic desk chair to help protect your musculoskeletal health, and consider a standing desk so you can improve your posture or even get in your daily steps on an under-desk treadmill.
The modern workspace ensures you can work in the style that suits you best, whether at a classic desk with a neutral wall before you to prevent distractions or darting from zone to zone to keep your creativity flowing. It acknowledges that downtime is an important part of the workday and that you deserve a stylish space. Find high-quality pieces, and you'll be able to maintain a chic, functional space for years to come.