Whether you work in a traditional office or you’ve got one in your home, you can expect to spend an awful lot of time there. Making your office comfortable is an important part of being able to concentrate on work. After all, people weren’t designed to be sedentary creatures. It also isn’t a calming experience to stare at blank, dirty walls. It’s important to make your office a place you enjoy being in.
Here are a few tips to get some basic comforts of home into your office:
Add Some Color
A few additional tones incorporated throughout your workspace can create some contrast. Have some office furniture? A throw pillow makes it a little less boring. Brighten up your desk with stationary and office supplies with attitude. They make great conversation starters.
Soothe Your Mind With Plants
Real office plants have several benefits. They’ll add a little more oxygen to the air, they’ve been shown to be soothing to the mind, and they’ll give you the satisfaction of taking care of something. However, if you or your co-workers have allergies, fake plants can still add a definite pop of color.
Frame Pictures
Keeping pictures of your loved ones and great moments in your life is a great way to remind yourself of home. Grab some frames from a furniture store, or grab a scrapbook set for a great conversation piece.
Keep It Clean
This may seem like common sense, but it’s one of those “easier said than done” things. Keeping your office area clean doesn’t just help to keep things organized. Cleanliness and organization also help to keep your mind organized.
If these tips don’t quite make your desk feel like as nice as it could be, it might be time to take a look at some bigger furniture items that can help you organize better.
Your Chair
Think any office chair is good enough? Not so. If you spend most of your day at your desk, in your chair, guess what you need? Probably a decent chair with supportive features that won’t kill your back, butt, and legs. Some offices will even allow you to bring in an exercise ball that you can sit on, which forces you to have good posture and gives you a chance to work on your core a bit.
Your Desk
Guess what else has a major effect on how you sit? Have you ever had to sit at a desk that was just a little too high, or a bit too low? It starts off alright, but after a while, it becomes torture. I once had a job where the desk was slightly too short. I would lean, and lean, and lean all day. By the time I stood up, I had tweaked my shoulder, every time. Make sure your desk is not only clean and attractive, but that it’s comfortable, too.
Your Computer
If you work at a computer all day, that’s a recipe for eye strain, headaches and carpal tunnel. By changing your background to a light tan, you’ll reduce the constant flicker that your computer gives off and reduce your eye strain. Making sure there is minimal glare helps take headaches out of the picture, and making sure your wrists are elevated properly will help prevent carpal tunnel.
Your Lights
Overhead lighting can cast weird shadows, which can cause eye strain, which leads to headaches. Check out the lighting section for some ideas. If you switch to a desk lamp or two, you can not only provide more natural light for your eyes, but create a more comfortable ambiance as well. Plus, you can add a grow light to keep your plants healthy!
By following these simple tips, you can turn your office into a home away from home. Don’t forget to take frequent breaks to allow your body to move and re-align its self properly. A scented candle or a bowl of potpourri adds a wonderful scent. Adding a bit of background noise, some comfortable lighting and keeping your body relaxed will all help to instantly reduce your stress at work. You might even find yourself staying late!