Working from home: how to create a stylish yet motivating study room or home office

We ask a workplace environment specialist how to create the perfect home office...
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Sophie Warner29 March 2018

Creating a stylish, practical home office is more appealing than ever, with more and more people opting for flexible working or the freelance life.

As such, functional work spaces are fast becoming one of the most important features of a home. But it can be hard to stay motivated when you find yourself surrounded by home comforts.

Dr Harriet Shortt, a workplace environment specialist, reveals how to create the perfect stylish-yet-motivating home office space.

DISPLAY WHAT INSPIRES YOU

Working from home can give you the perfect opportunity to escape the bare walls and desks of traditional offices and tailor your workspace to create a space where you want to spend time every day.

In fact, recent research by the Affordable Art Fair found that over a third (39%) of us would like to showcase artwork in our workspace to help improve productivity and decrease stress levels — so take the time to fill your workspace with pieces that inspire you.

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing artwork for your home office, as long as you find something you love, and it needn’t cost the earth to create a space that reflects your sense of identity.

CHANGE THE MOOD

When you think about work space, don’t just think about the physical stuff – the desk or the chair.

This is also about creating the right environment for you; this could include a natural view to help you reflect, think, or take a break from your screen, listening to music or the radio when working, as well as plenty of healthy snacks to help you power through the day.

INJECT IDENTITY

Hang some of your treasured family photographs alongside your favourite artwork, dress up your office chair with your own cushions or a throw that you bought on holiday in an exotic bazaar, and enjoy injecting your identity into your work space.

IMPROVE SENSE OF WELLBEING

A connection to nature and the ability to bring ‘the outside inside’ is key to improving a sense of well-being and productivity.

So, get yourself some houseplants, set up a desk near a window with a view of some trees, or invest in some artwork that connects you to nature.


CREATE A POSITIVE WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Designing a home office means thinking about how to shut off a space and make some clear definitions between work and home.

If you aren’t able to dedicate a whole room to your home office, you should also consider what furniture you could buy to create a flexible space for a variety of activities - foldable desks and chairs, clever storage solutions, or lighting that can be adapted for different functions – all these things can help to make sure that you’re able to manage your boundaries!