Working from home can be the ultimate freedom you had ever dreamed of or could be a drag in the long run when you don’t have ‘live’ colleagues to interact with and or dressing up to go out. Here are few ideas to enliven the daily routine and help you feel driven to get up and ‘go to work’.

Here are some tips you can plan on right away to get your home office looking inviting and fresh, the motivation to begin every work day with a smile and energy to do something amazing. Yes, the surroundings matter!

Lively Decor

Look around, do you see the same old drab white table with cords dangling from the back? The same sofa that has been around for the last 6 years – feels run down and slightly yucky? Oh well, it’s time for a remodel! Sprucing up the work area with modern sofas, desks or modern bar stools, can enliven your space and gives you the smile and energy you need to stay motivated every day.

Adding pops of bright and bold colors to your office can help energize the space and make it more inviting. Consider painting an accent wall, adding colorful accessories, or incorporating colorful artwork. Looking for inspiration? Search up HGTV, Pinterest and Houzz, the collection people have here is incredible and is bound to inspire. Add comfort to the updated decor, ensure that you have comfortable and ergonomic furniture, to create a functional and healthy work environment. European Leather Gallery office chairs offer ergonomic support for your back and neck, something to consider for your health as we spend most of our time sitting.

Organization

It would be really tough to like what you see around if everything is messy and unorganized. An organized space gives a feeling of calmness and control. That’s what you want to feel like when you step in to your home office every day. Often papers and files are the reason for the disorganization you see around. The first step is to check on how you do more electronic filing and eliminate old and unnecessary paperwork that’s crowding your space.

A tidy and organized office can help create a sense of calm and focus. Make sure to have storage options to keep everything in its place, and keep surfaces clear. Check out some inspiration from HGTV to stay organized.

Lighting

Optimal lighting increases alertness and ushers in a feel-good mood even in the most drab season. Usually natural light makes us happy, but in places where the duration of sunlight is short or depending on the location of your home or apartment it is not often possible to have the desk by the window or have a skylight. Here’s where you must get creative and buy fixtures and bulbs that mimic natural light and position them so that you have enough light all across the room. Windows and skylights can provide natural light, which can help boost mood and productivity. Desk lamps or other task lighting can provide additional light for specific tasks, such as reading or computer work. Ceiling lights or other ambient lighting can provide general light for the entire office space.The color temperature of the lighting can affect the mood and productivity of the office. Warmer color temperatures (2700K-3000K) are recommended for relaxing and concentration, while cooler color temperatures (5000K-6500K) are recommended for task-oriented work and reading.

It’s also important to consider the layout and design of the office when planning the lighting. Consult with a lighting designer for the best options for your specific office space.

Add Some Greens

Add greenery to your work space. According to a research by Science Daily ‘green’ offices with plants make staff happier and more productive than ‘lean’ designs stripped of greenery. The research showed plants in the office significantly increased workplace satisfaction, self-reported levels of concentration, and perceived air quality. Analyses into the reasons why plants are beneficial suggests that a green office increases employees’ work engagement by making them more physically, cognitively, and emotionally involved in their work.

There are quite a few studies that have found that having plants in an office can help reduce stress, improve air quality, and boost creativity and well-being. The presence of plants in an office can also lead to increased job satisfaction and a more positive attitude towards work. One study published in the journal “Environment and Behavior” found that adding plants to an office improved the overall mood of workers and reduced the number of sick days taken by employees. The study also found that the productivity of employees working in the presence of plants was found to be 15% higher compared to those working in an office without plants.

So why not add more plants to your decor, green is pleasant the more motivators in the room, the better!