If you’re still working from home, then you may need to upgrade your office environment in order to maximize productivity and get the most enjoyment out of your day. In the previous article in this series, we talked about how important it is to de-clutter your office and get organized, as well as ensuring your day-long comfort by adjusting the position of your computer and other desk items. In this article, the experts at Fireside Furniture are going to discuss another crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of having a functional and well-appointed office: decoration.
Regardless of what you do for a living or how your desk is situated, you can get bored or fatigued if you sit in a plain, enervating environment all day. We recommend jazzing it up with some of the following:
Artwork
What can we say about artwork, other than that it is essential to life. Aesthetics are subjective, of course, but the benefit of having art on the walls is not. It doesn’t matter to us what type of art you choose — realistic portraits, still life, or landscapes; abstract paintings with wild images and bright color palettes, or motivational phrases — just make sure you surround yourself with art that brings you joy.
Color
Bright colors not only break up the boring grey of your computer and the typical white walls of an office, but they promote productivity and creativity. This doesn’t mean you have to paint all the walls in different colors — though we do think changing one or two of the walls to a nice bright color will help. You can also add color with different office supplies, artwork on the walls, or even a nice rug. Fireside furniture has plenty of options for beautiful accessories.
Plants
Plants provide oxygen, color, and positivity. As mentioned in the previous point, colors can affect your mood greatly, and green has been linked to relaxation, purity, freshness, and health. (see https://www.colorpsychology.org/green/). As an added benefit for a workspace, green is associated with money. In addition, a small potted plant will help connect you with nature. This is useful when you’re locked in your office so many hours per day. Just make sure you find plants that don’t require too much water or sunlight and are easy to maintain. We recommend a snake plant, English ivy, or a philodendron. Another great option is a low-maintenance succulent, such as aloe or cactus — our friends over at Home Depot have a wide selection.
Odds and Ends
Most people have a separation between their “work life” and their “personal life,” and this is typically easy to do when you commute to and from an office. But when you work from home, the two can bleed together without you realizing it. We recommend you take advantage of this fact by bringing things you enjoy into your office, such as a favorite antique, a guitar, or some other memento or statue that has emotional resonance in your life. Fireside Furniture has some excellent options for displaying such personal effects, such as this beautiful cherry wood curio console or this corner cabinet with a mirrored back panel.
In the third and final installment of the “Upgrade Your Home Office” series, we’ll look at a few more great ways to make your home workspace even better. Join our mailing list or check back soon.
