With the growing trend of people working remotely, and small businesses increasing in popularity, the home office is becoming an important room for balancing work life and family life. Make your home office a room that is comfortable and inviting with these 6 tips.
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Update Your Colour Palette
According to a psychological study conducted by the Department of Environmental Psychology at Lund Institute of Technology in Sweden; colours such as blue, white and beige have been scientifically proven to improve mood, increase productivity and assist with concentration. A fresh coat of paint is the perfect way to update your home office. Using the right combination of colours will not only make it more visually appealing, but it will also increase your productivity, leaving you more time to spend with your family.
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Add Some Foliage
Adding a bit of natural foliage to a home office creates a calming atmosphere and can help to boost your mood. Choosing a plant such as a hibiscus tree is an excellent way to give some extra colour to the room and freshen it up. For a simple green effect, a philodendron vine can cover large areas and is easy to take care of due to the low demand for pruning, watering and sunlight needs. Regardless of your choice, any plant will help update your home office, making it seem fresher and newer than before.
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Organize Your Desk
A meticulously organized desk with easy access to files and paperwork is essential in keeping your home office up to date and maintaining its visual appeal. To achieve maximum organization, purchase a desk with filing drawers and storage bins. For a more creative storage solution, hang an old ladder on the wall and create a DIY bookcase such as the one seen in this tutorial. Use old cereal boxes as an inexpensive way to create drawer organizers. Avoiding clutter by keeping the number of items on top of the desk to a minimum will also maintain a fresh, tidy and appealing workspace.
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Rethink the Traditional Office Chair
When planning your home office update, rethink your choice of the chair in order to add a touch of colour and personality to the space. Forget the traditional black office chair and make a statement by opting for a bright patterned or upholstered chair that compliments the colour scheme of the room.
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Switch Out Wall Decor
According to an article in Forbes’ Magazine, over 80% of employees who were surveyed felt that artwork and family photos were important within a workplace because it helped them discover their creative potential and regulated their moods; therefore making them overall more productive. Increase your productivity and motivation by updating the artwork and photos you have on the walls of your home office.
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Add a Nice Scent
Cast a subtle scent throughout your home office with a candle or an essential oil diffuser, and the room will instantly seem more inviting. Research has shown that there are certain scents which can influence creativity and trigger memory in the brain. According to BBC, scent is what is called a complex sense, and because of its close proximity to the hippocampus in the brain, it can be a great influence on human behaviour. Scents such as cinnamon can help fight fatigue, lavender can help you relax and peppermint will give you an energy boost. Give your home office a charming aroma while reducing your stress and increasing your alertness.
Updating your home office can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint or as complicated as completely changing the whole room. Regardless of what your plans are, these 6 tips will help you create an up to date home office with a fresh new look. For more information on updating your home office, visit the Caliber Homes Blog.
