Working from home is becoming the new norm, but our homes are not always equipped for an office space. There are a few interior design essentials that all home offices should adopt, however, the team at Naturewall have put together some tips and tricks to create a truly innovative WFH office space. In this guide, our interior designer will help you to transform spaces you already have to create a comfortable yet productive WFH environment.
Creating a flexible WHF office setup
Nail working from home by creating a fresh and productive space, which is both multi-functional and stylish. Since the rise of remote and hybrid working arrangements, we need our interior spaces to do more than ever before - built for entertaining, working, relaxing and everything in-between. Here are some simple ways to elevate your working space, with home offices being here to stay.
Working from home essentials:
A dedicated space for work
A dedicated workspace helps to keep distractions at bay and boosts productivity. Establishing a home office setup helps you stay organised and focused on your tasks, as well as helps you create boundaries between your personal and professional life.
A comfortable desk and chair
One of the most important elements of any work-from-home workspace is a comfortable desk and chair. Having a desk and chair that are ergonomically designed to support your body can provide immense benefits both physically and mentally.
A dual-monitor setup
Having two monitors to display your work on is often overlooked, but it can do so much for your productivity when working from home. You can view more information at once, improve your ability to multi-task, and save time switching between applications.
An inspiring environment
In order to stay productive, organised and motivated while working from home, it's essential that you create a workspace that enables productivity, creativity and inspiration. You’re going to spend a lot of time in your home office - it needs to look modern, stylish, clean and tidy. Furniture, lighting, decor and greenery is all important for creating an environment you want to work in - Naturewall’s SlatWall range is a favourite amongst our office wall panels for interior design enthusiasts.
Nature-inspired home office ideas with wood panelling
Establishing a connection with nature is a hot interior trend right now, with its proven benefits on wellbeing. Introducing houseplants, natural materials, and wood panelling for walls are just three ways of creating a more calming and welcoming space.
Plants instantly brighten up a room by injecting greenery, which is a great way of introducing colour into a neutral interior, if you want to stick to a minimalist feel. Bold and bright colours are a hot trend for 2023, and you can add vibrance to your room by placing foliage in colourful glass vases on your desk.
Using natural materials in your workspace will ensure you keep the feeling of a warm and homely atmosphere that blends with the rest of your interior. Wood furniture, stone accessories and soft textiles will keep your space feeling less office-like. Naturewall’s Reclaimed Wood Wall Panels are perfect for adding a natural and authentic feel to any home office setup.
Multi-functional, small home office ideas
Not everyone has enough room for a permanent home office. If you struggle for space, it’s important to think about investing in furniture that can be used for more than one purpose.
For example, pick a statement side table or modern wall panelling that suits your interior style and creates a feature in your room. Hang a mirror above, and stick to minimal styling such as a lamp, houseplants and vases that can easily be moved to make room for a laptop. Simply pull up a dining chair or stool and you have a temporary desk that doesn’t compromise on style. Having a mirror permanently above this side table will also open the space and create the illusion of a bigger room.
Storage stools and benches are great versatile furniture items for optimising space. Giving the option to store everything out of sight, they also double up as extra seating if you are entertaining guests. Consider layering different materials and textures for these items to create warmth and depth in your space. Naturewall’s range of Wood Wall Panels are perfect for adding something special to your home office, available in a variety of colours and shades.
How to create a multi-functional home office space
Multi-functional design is perfect for open plan living, giving flexibility to zone off a workspace and establish different areas within one room. Furniture such as a freestanding room divider or storage unit can be used to create a physical separation. To keep an open space, our feature wall panelling is the perfect addition to establish a dedicated divide in any room. Install a few panels on a large wall behind a desk or side table to create a stylish backdrop. This will not only give the space a purpose, but it will also add depth by visually splitting the room up. With the added bonus of bringing in beautiful tones and textures to your space, this is the perfect way to style up your WFH space - especially for those video calls!
Home office storage ideas
Tidy workspace, tidy mind. Storage plays a huge role when designing a work from home space, as we want the ability to tidy everything away and out of sight whilst keeping it within easy reach. The key is using furniture that compliments your home and interior, with storage being its secondary feature. Make use of practical furniture without sacrificing on style to keep your space versatile and adaptable.
Console tables with drawers and cupboards are great because you can store everything and close it away, always keeping your space looking in-order for when you need to shut off from your working day. They are an investment-worth feature that fills an empty space or can be used as part of zoning a space by placing behind a sofa in an open-plan living area.
If your workspace is within a main living area or bedroom, take time at the end of your working day to clear the space and style your table with interior accessories that bring harmony to your room. Shelving can be utilised to house smaller office items whilst still being styled with on-trend accessories. Light a candle and place a vase with flowers to transition into a calming atmosphere for relaxing or hanging out with family and friends.
Tips for better home office lighting
Having a bright space is key to creating a productive workspace, but also a pleasant atmosphere within any home. Where possible, position your desk where there is a lot of natural light to enhance that connection to the outdoors and boost your mood. Adding a large mirror to reflect light around the room is a great way of brightening darker spaces, creating the illusion of a bigger room. You can also keep your space feeling light and airy by sticking to a pale colour palette. Think about using whites, creams, and beiges as the foundation as these will compliment all interior styles and set a bright base to work form.
When the darker evenings start to draw in, during the autumn and winter months, add a statement floor standing lamp or desk lamp to your workspace. Not only will these help light the area, they also work for zoning by solidifying the purpose of a space. Lamps are extremely versatile and can be used for their practical benefits, but also to create an ambient atmosphere by adding depth, warmth, and interest to any space.