ARTICLE BY AISLINN SARNACKI
More and more, people are working from home. This trend, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic and advances in technology, has positives and negatives.For more than a decade, I worked in an office building alongside dozens of coworkers. Now, working from home, I enjoy the freedom of doing laundry in between phone calls and occasionally sending emails while still in my pajamas. Yet I feel lonely at times, and I find it easier to procrastinate when I have a household of chores surrounding me and not a boss in sight.
Working from home is an adjustment, but I’ve found that creating a nice office space helps.
A few months ago, I created an office that has quickly become my favorite spot in the house. Even when I’m not working, I find myself wandering in there to sit on the loveseat and read a book. So, I thought I’d share my experience with you — as well as some tips from a local interior designer.
Lisa Gant, the owner of Modern and Contemporary Interior Design out of Belfast, said offices are often an overlooked part of a house.
“They’re somehow at the bottom of the list when it comes to decorating, despite them sometimes being one of the most regularly used rooms in a home,” she said. “To inject life and movement, I recommend house plants, focused lighting, and inspiring and motivational artwork or decor.”
Multiple studies have found that certain lighting can significantly alter your mood and even your cognitive performance. While a dark space can feel gloomy and oppressive, bright, fluorescent lights can also be irritating. The trick is finding lighting that makes you feel calm and content, yet awake.
When creating my new office, one of the best things I did was move it from a fairly dark space to a bright room with windows that let in the morning light. The sunlight — and the view from the windows — instantly boosts my spirits.
House plants have also added a lot to my new office space. Sitting on shelves in colorful pots, they serve as decor that’s both cheap and interactive, plus they add fresh oxygen to the atmosphere.
“I’m a pacer when on a [phone] call,” Gant shared. “So, I often find myself with a little watering can in hand, watering my plants while working. It calms the need to pace and keeps me grounded as I work.”
Wall art can also make a huge difference in how you feel about your workspace. Some artwork can evoke feelings of calmness, while others serve to motivate or inspire.
For example, a vacation photo could remind you of what you’re working toward, Gant said. A painting of a place you’ve always wanted to travel to could serve the same purpose.
“I have a lot of creative clients who like to display their own work in their office space,” Gant said. “As a creative [person, such as an artist], the office is sometimes the worst place to be. So, being surrounded by their own work and the work of those that inspire them is an incredible boost for productivity. It encourages them to get their office work done so that they can return to doing what they love.”
Above my desk, I’ve hung a framed illustration by one of my favorite wildlife artists, Jada Fitch. It serves as a reminder that once I’m done with writing and sending invoices, I can get outside to enjoy the wilderness.
However, I may have made a mistake. When designing my office, I placed my desk up against a wall.
“Working at a desk facing a blank wall can sometimes make you feel, well, like you’re at a dead end, or even more accurately like you’ve hit a brick wall,” Gant warned.
Fortunately, I have another spot to sit if I’m feeling that way. Not far from my desk, I’ve placed a loveseat and ottoman that faces a set of windows and bookshelves.
Gant said providing multiple places to sit allows you to mix things up throughout the day. A cozy armchair and side table, preferably by a window, can be a great place to take phone calls, work from a mobile device, or simply take a break, she said.
What about home office trends to avoid? Gant said she isn’t fond of cork boards, whiteboards, or any other wall-hung piece that can become messy or overwhelming. Clutter can quickly destroy any sense of tranquility in a space.
However, if you enjoy brainstorming on a whiteboard, that’s perfectly fine. There are no strict rules when it comes to designing an office. Make it your own. Just don’t let it be an overlooked space in your home. With a little thought and effort, you can transform it into a place you truly enjoy.
AISLINN SARNACKI is a lifelong Mainer who has worked as a journalist for over a decade. Follow her writing at aislinnsarnacki.com.
Bangor metro autumn 2024
