Rethinking The Home Office

When COVID-19 hit and companies across the globe embraced remote work, the home office took on a whole new meaning. Spaces that were once used occasionally-for storage, a landing zone for paperwork and wayward bills-are some of the most used rooms in the home, requiring them to be conducive to both productivity and creativity. As many continue to work from home, even post-pandemic, office design has become a hot topic.

Keeping yourself motivated is key. The first place I like to start when designing a home office is inspiration. You need to be inspired to do your best work and be your best high functioning self. Starting with what truly inspires someone-considering why they are working and reminding us of why we are there-gathering meaningful objets d'art leaves us open to inspiration and focused on what we are doing and why.

The new work from home office also serves as a setting for video meetings, presenting ourselves to the world in a way that we weren't familiar with. This is another opportunity to present something authentic. It's so important to be aware of what is behind you. I recommend an attractive background, like wallpaper, moulding, art, or bookshelves. What's in your office says a lot about who you are & clients want a composed look, showcasing more personality that says something about them.

Other elements to consider are lighting (lamp light, general illumination, and natural light); a sense of harmony; a good desk chair; and overall function. When we used to commute, we had that buffer, but now you have one short minute to get into work mode. I advise creating a ritual and separating your work space from the other rooms in the house, if possible.

Art, especially original pieces, can be comforting, energizing, and meditative. I always try to have art that rewards a lifetime of viewing-something that reveals itself to you over time. Color also plays a profound role in a productive space-by looking at the colors in our closets and our home, you'll find the colors that suit you best. Color plays as of important of a role as light.

Working from home doesn't mean you need to work all of the time. You want to be able to turn it off at the end of the day. Organize for upcoming tasks, close the laptop, and turn off the lights. Tomorrow is another day.

Warmly,