Brightening Your Home Office

Creating a Productive Workspace

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Working from home has its perks. You can set your schedule. You get to choose to wear comfy clothes or not. You can move from room to room. Best of all, you get to choose the decor!!!

I am a firm believer in having a home office that includes decor that inspires me. Since I am a creative and book nerd. I enjoy the art stuff and books surrounding my workspace. I am also a Bible nerd, so it only makes sense to have decor that reflects that aspect of my personality. 

Being a Christian I also enjoy inspirational quotes and images on the walls. I have one plant… bless its chlorophyll heart…that I have been striving to keep alive. It is one pot but contains 4 or 5 different plants. Nonetheless, I enjoy this plant for sentimental reasons and I am excited to be able to place  4 of them in new pots!!

My color scheme reflects a feeling of stillness. I always choose neutral colors, primarily beiges, and creams. But I have been known to throw in a pale rose color. 

This is the decor that evokes a sense of inspiration and peace. It brings me to a place of focus and honestly… a place of joy. I enjoy my creative work, which is reflected in my joyful workspace. 

So how about your home office decor? Does it reflect your personality? Let’s talk about some ways that you can brighten up your space and create a place of inspiration!!

Colors say a lot!!!

Are you one of those who tend to lean toward the darker colors? We see it a lot in office settings. Blacks, browns, and even dark blues. For some, these are color schemes that stimulate them as they progress through their workday. It seems there are a lot of legal offices that tend to use these colors. It is also thought to minimize distractions. 

Then we can stroll over to the softer color aisle. Here you have soft pinks, creamy whites, and some earthy tones. These are the colors that come across as soothing and even less disruptive.

There are colors within this group that are thought to promote focus and creativity. With these lighter colors, it’s easier to add a few pops of color on the bookshelf or desktop. 

Coral and peach colors are also a part of the above group. These are thought to promote energy. Most people add a splash of white or gold when using these colors. However, natural woods tend to accent these colors extremely well. 

What about the bright colors you ask? Well, for those of you who love the color yellow, this is your spot in the rainbow of office colors. Yellow is said to bring a sense of optimism and enhance creativity with its sunshine feeling. White is the typical accent color, but remember, you can choose your accent color according to your personality. Another color that may be considered bold and bright is true green. This one is for those of you who are looking for the calming aspect… but, those who seek to create an energized space can also add this to the color scheme of their home office. 

If you need to have space to mindmap or have a way to present graphs to online clients, you may find that wall space covered with dry-erase is perfect for your office. It doesn’t have to take up the entire wall, just a strip or square would be just right for this purpose. 

Remember, the goal of the color scheme is to promote productivity!!

It’s Your Space!!!

Ideally, the space you create for your home office will provide you with space to work comfortably. This is your space. It is where you spend your work day. Even though the thought of working on the couch wearing pajamas can seem inviting and fun, this is not a practical place to maintain a productive work life. When you create your space you create a routine. This also allows the household to respect the fact that this is your space for work. 

Personalize your space. Just as I mentioned above…choose your colors. Another aspect of personalizing is to choose furniture that is fun for you! Yes!!! Fun!! There is nothing wrong with having a fun space to work from. If you want pink bling and leopard print on files, staplers, and mousepads, then bling away!!  This is about encouraging you to be productive. 

Fresh Air and Greenery!!!

One of the greatest assets to have in your home office is a window. This simple thing can provide peace of mind as you work through your daily tasks. The first thing about being near a window is the ability to open it up and allow fresh air to circulate through your office space. It is said that fresh air affects cognitive abilities in decision-making. 

Benefit number two from a window is that you can see the greenery that is just outside. When you have a view of the bright outdoors, you increase your level of happiness and self-esteem. If you don’t have the ability to look out the window at a green yard or field, then simply add some plants to the office. 

Remember. It’s All About You!!

At the end of the day… this space is all about you and what makes you comfy while you are working from home. As long as the space inspires you to be productive, then what it looks like to others doesn’t matter. 

For more ideas about brightening your home office, here is a magazine that I found helpful with ideas about colors and decor. 

The Sweet Spot Style Guide to Home Office + Studio Decor

Happy Decorating Friend!!!