We are adapting to a new way of life globally, at least for the next few months. According to the U.S. Census, in 2017, about 5.2% of workers, or about 8 million people, worked from home. Today, that number is exponentially larger. It is projected that by 2027, even outside of the current global situation, half of all Americans will work from home offices. That’s not even considering the number of people who will work from home worldwide.
Whether you already worked from home or you are exploring how to work remotely for the first time, there is one thing nearly all of us have in common right now: We need a dedicated workspace in our home that helps us to feel productive, relaxed, and accomplished.
There’s no better time to make sure your home office or workspaces are doing the best job it can of supporting and caring for your productivity and your health.
As a holistic interior designer, I specialize in creating calming restorative environments that support physical, emotional and mental wellbeing for individuals who live and work in them. My design approach is human centric design at its core.
Follow these 5 steps to design a space that truly meets your needs:
Step 1: Move your furniture
A benefit of organizing your own office or workspace is that you are given ultimate control over the conditions in which you work.
Ideally, it is uplifting to begin with a blank canvas, either by clearing everything out a room before you start to rearrange or, if you’ve just moved, using an already-empty room. If there are pieces of furniture or household items that you no longer use and are taking up space, think about moving them out of the way. You could store them in an attic or garage, or under a bed or in a closet.
Of course, not all of us have the luxury of a dedicated desk in a home office, and at this time especially, many people will be working out of smaller spaces in their homes.
If you are looking for ways to transform a small and/or multipurpose space into one that can also serve as an office, the key is to rearrange and reconfigure your furniture so that your desk (or whatever may serve as your desk for the time being) faces a window and has access to natural sunlight. It will help you feel connected beyond your interiors. Do not underestimate the power of sunlight! Soaking in some of the sun’s rays as you work is essential for both the body and the mind.
If you are especially tight on space, you may want to try using a form of standing desk, since they can take up less square footage. Also, by clearing out all unnecessary objects and clutter, you can make more room both physically and mentally. A feeling of empty space can expand your mind and help you think more clearly.
Step 2: Air quality is everything
The most important element in your workspace may also be the one that’s most invisible: air quality.
I wrote about my top tips for keeping your indoor air clean and healthy in my previous post. Check that out to see how open windows, biophilia, and portable air purifiers such as Molekule can cut your chances of illness and make your space more productive.
Step 3: Get your smart home to do the work for you
If you don’t already have a smart home hub, this may be the time to take the leap. Smart home devices can serve as your digital assistant, security guard, personal trainer, and even your housekeeper. When used fully, they can ease stress and make your world easier and more efficient.
Aptly referred to as a “smart home ecosystem,” Control4’s OS works as a unifier, consolidating devices from across your entire home into a single screen, allowing you to instantly view the status of your security system, smart door locks, lights, and appliances at once, and take immediate control. The smart home technology company Savant is another excellent option.
Smart curtains, such as those offered by Hunter Douglas and The Shade Store, are also rising in popularity and offer a high-tech way to make sure you get enough vitamin D, but are still able to block the sun and its damaging rays when necessary.
The technology itself is built into the curtain rod, connected via Bluetooth to your smart devices, and allows you to raise or lower your shades with a click of a button or simple voice command. Ikea launched a line of smart shades last spring, making this technology even more widely available.
Select curtains or shades in a neutral palette, and integrate them into your office with the intent to lower them when direct sunlight becomes distracting or causes a glare for you or video conference attendees.
It is vital for our clients to have a seamless experience while working with clients remotely, and so I recommend going the extra mile to integrate items into their workspace that optimize their experience.
Smart headphones that cancel out background noise are a must, because they allow you to hold conference calls freely without worrying that your dog will chime in. The golden standard for sound quality and performance are the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless earbuds, but Apple AirPods are not far behind (the new AirPods Pro are particularly swoon-worthy). You may also want a smart pencil that allows you to markup and send PDFs in real-time. The Apple Pencil still has the best reputation for its ability to capture minute details and maintain accuracy.
With security technology such Nest, Ring, or even ADT’s smart security system, you can get a window into what is happening in and around the rest of your home while you work, providing the best opportunity to work uninterrupted. Check the perimeter of your home, set or deactivate your alarm, or even speak to someone at your door while remaining at your desk. This is especially helpful for those who receive several packages daily as you can monitor your deliveries.
Step 4: Use your Creativity and Design!
Now that you’ve established the bones and brain of your office, you can be creative. To leverage ancient wisdom, use Feng Shui techniques as a guideline for maximizing your space. feng shui office design utilizes areas of positive Qi to influence the energy of the space.
Here are some of my favorite Feng Shui tips for decorating an office (I have a full post about the benefits of feng shui in the workplace if you’d like more).
Back to basics
Spring is a great time for new beginnings, decluttering, and starting fresh. This is a traditional time for “spring cleaning,” and a clean and clutter-free environment is always a healthier one.
One of the most important things to consider is maintaining a comfortable, well-organized sightline, free of piles of paper or stacks of books. Same with your desk. Physical clutter often causes anxiety, so you must work to control this at all costs.
Instead, opt for a simple tray, such as this one by Michael Aram or this Horchow marble tray, and decorate it with a selection of healing crystals. Amazonite is supposed to aid communication, Citrine promotes success, and Tiger’s Eye is associated with confident decision-making. Clear Quartz is another popular crystal, which is known for clearing negative energy.
Grounding
In Feng Shui office design, you must consider whether your back is to a door, window, or overall office traffic. If it is the latter, your energy will tend to get weak and will leave you feeling insecure. You will want to make adjustments to create a strong Feng Shui backing. This can be done in numerous ways, from placing a row of lush plants behind your seating area to repositioning your office chair so you have the wall at your back.
Energy
In feng shui, “sha chi” (which translates to “poison arrows”) is the term used to describe attacking, negative energy in a space, which can deplete you. An easy way to avoid sha chi is to arrange your surroundings so that no sharp angles point directly at you. This can also be achieved by placing rounded objects in front of sharp angles to neutralize bad energy.
Mementos
Nourish your energy at work with high-energy images or objects. Office-appropriate art or knick-knacks and mementos that stir happy, uplifting memories in you can be extremely helpful in achieving positive Qi. This is a must for any Feng Shui office design, be it big or small, as one’s personal energy can quickly be depleted at the office. Just make sure to keep these items in your eye line, or, ideally, on walls or shelves.
Light and colors
Pay close attention to the light that surrounds you. Soft, calming light or natural light can soothe the senses, leaving room for appropriate bursts of energy. Strong, bright, light can overstimulate, leaving you feeling drained. The same applies to colors. Choose your colors intentionally.
Senses
Bring some aromatherapy into your workspace to support your mood. Eucalyptus oil energizes, while lemon is uplifting and lavender eases anxiety.
Step 5: Take restorative naps
Finally, an optimized workplace needs sleep support. Short naps are an effective and healthy means of improving mental and physical acuity, even more so than caffeine, which can disrupt sleep. Add a couch, cushioned rolled mat, fully reclining chair, or even a hammock if you have space—or simply return to your bed. Plan at least one 20-minute nap per workday, unless your body asks for more.
More than ever, this is a time to take care of yourself. Be kind to your body by listening to it, and use smart tech to set reminders to breathe, stretch, or take a quick walk, either around your home or the block (while keeping a minimum distance of six feet from others, of course).
When you work from home, it can be easy to get lost in what seems like a never-ending work cycle, so set boundaries for yourself. Set a schedule and keep at it. Remember to mentally clock out (or get your smart hub to remember for you). That way, you avoid the risk of burning out.
Allow your surroundings to take care of you. When you design your environment, you design your life! It is from this space, cradled in the caring arms of your home, that you will gain ultimate abundance through work.
At Laurence Carr Design, we can help you design your home office remotely. You can book virtual consultations with me here.
I look forward to helping you create a productive and calm office workspace to support pathways for health and wealth to flow.
