How to Design a Tranquil Home Office

Rob Dunn • Apr 30, 2021
How to Design a Tranquil Home Office

Working from home has become the norm. It’s easy to let things pile up in your home office, adding to the chaos of your daily life. You don’t have to live with the stress of an out-of-control office. You can create one that is tranquil and invites you to stay on track.

To create a relaxing and motivating environment, you’ll need to:

  • Begin With a Purge of Your Office
  • Get a Proper Workspace
  • Bring in Natural Light
  • Add Color
  • Put in Some Plants
  • Reduce Noise
  • Consider a Meditation Space

If you want your office space to be more Zen than chaos, continue reading to learn how each of these options can help improve your ability to conquer the workday!


Begin With the Purge

Before doing any redecorating, the first thing you should do is remove any items you don’t want to keep. Too many tchotchkes can take away from the tranquil feeling you are trying to create.

The best way to do this is to sort through the items into keep, donate, and trash boxes. This step should occur quickly. Objects that aren’t useful or calming do not belong in your new tranquil space. Items in good condition should be donated to local charities. Items in poor condition should be tossed.

Select a Proper Workspace

To have a truly productive and tranquil home office, you need a proper workspace. This consists of a desk and chair. Even if you already have a desk, you might want to consider if what you own already will work for several hours without causing discomfort.

You need a desk that is already at a comfortable height. A comfortable desk height helps to ensure that you keep a proper posture while working. Good posture can reduce lower back pain. You should find something comfortable for you. You might also consider purchasing a desk that can transform from a sitting desk to a standing one to get on your feet throughout the day.

In addition to your desk, you also need a chair you can comfortably use for hours. An ergonomic chair can help reduce strain on your back, neck, and shoulders. Adjustable lumbar support will give you the added comfort you need to finish a long project.

Ergonomic chairs are adjustable. You can set the height to what you need to make your computer screen eye level. If you can’t find an affordable chair that you like, consider purchasing a gaming chair. These chairs have adjustable headrests, lumbar support, and armrests. Some even come with footrests.

Desk

Natural Lighting

Lighting is essential when it comes to your home office. However, artificial lights can be harsh and cause headaches and eye strain as opposed to natural lighting.

Outside activity can break the Zen of your office, leading you to keep the blinds closed. To get natural light without letting what is going on outside break the calming atmosphere, turn your desk away from the window. You’ll still get the soothing natural light but will avoid potential disturbances that may break your Zen.

Having natural light can also help with your natural circadian rhythm. It allows you to sleep better by promoting regular sleeping habits.

Pick Tranquil Colors

The colors found in your office can affect tranquility. Different hues have a psychological effect on your mood and productivity. While some help you feel more relaxed or energized, others can depress your mood, damaging that sense of well-being you long for in a home office.

Choose colors that are calming and soothing. If you want to boost your energy level, select a bold color such as orange to accent your office space. Although orange can be energizing, it may detract from the soothing atmosphere you are trying to create.

Instead of bold colors, go for earthier tones. Soft colors such as off-white, white, and grey will make you feel calm and relaxed while working. You may also choose beige or a pink beige to get that same soothing feeling. Lighter shades of blue have also been credited with a sense of tranquility.

No matter which color you decide on, try to avoid dark colors on your walls. Dark colors such as Merlot red, black, and deep navy blue will make your room feel smaller. They can also cause you to feel trapped or even spur claustrophobic feelings. In short, dark shades will not make you find your Zen.

Desk

Add Some Green

Bringing Zen to your office isn’t all about colors and properly sized desks. Sometimes it’s bringing in ornaments that give you a calm feeling. For many, plants bring a tranquil feel to the atmosphere. Not only do they provide oxygen, but their green color is also soothing to the eye.

You don’t have to bring in high-maintenance plants to make your space more tranquil. In fact, you should look for hardy plants that need little attention to stay alive. Spider plants can grow in almost any office environment and require little tending throughout the week. Bonsai trees are also hardy plants and are often used in Zen gardens.

If you want to have more than one or two plants, consider dedicating a wall to hold your greenery. Air plant holders are ideal for an office environment and are relatively simple to make.

Reduce Noise

It’s not always easy to keep noise out of your office, especially if you have kids, a spouse, and pets running around at the same time. The noise can be distracting, if not more so, than clutter and a chaotic workspace. Soundproofing your space may not be an option. It’s time for you to get creative. If possible, put your office in a room with a door for you to close when the house gets loud.

If you don’t have a door, look at other options so that your office is not in the middle of the activity. According to Decoist.com, if your home has an attic space, you may consider claiming part of it as your work area. The same can be said for a basement space. If you want to work outside, without the bother of noise or insects, put up a shed and run electricity to it. In place of the door, put in a sliding glass door. This will offer you much-needed light and give you a chance to check on the kids as they run around, playing in the yard.

You can also look at adding a white noise maker. Choose from sounds like rain, ocean waves, or even static to help cover up the noise outside of your office. 

Home Office Cabinet System

Meditation Space

Working in tranquility means you need to have a space to rejuvenate partway through the day. After a particularly tough meeting or even just a long morning working on a project, you need to be able to get away from your desk and sit in the silence of your office.

A meditation space is ideal for reclaiming your Zen. If you have room, set out a mat or cushion to sit on while you meditate. You can also sit quietly and listen to soothing sounds from your white noise machine. Don’t focus on the day you’ve had or the tasks you still have ahead of you. Instead, empty your mind and try to find your center.


Conclusion

When adding some Zen to your home office, start by getting rid of the clutter. Then, make sure you have a comfortable work desk. Turn off the lamps and open the shades to let the natural light bring a sense of tranquility to your room. For a genuinely calming home office, use muted earth tones and natural greenery. Cut out the excessive noise and add a little meditation to your day. When it’s all finished, you’ll have an office that welcomes you in instead of stressing you out.

Sources

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