5 Ways to Create a Home Away from Home Office

How often have you heard someone say that they “practically live” at the office? Or, called people at 7 or 8 pm and found them still at their desks?

The fact is, we all put in way too many hours at our desks. And today’s coolest office designs take that fact into account by giving us spaces to work where we can be relaxed and comfortable, and give full attention to our work.

How do you do that? The upscale office designs common today – incorporating lots of glass and chrome; black, white, and grey; and striking modern art – make for gorgeous photo spreads. But they may not be the kind of environment where employees feel the most relaxed and focused.

Instead, consider these tips from Jessica Dowling, head of trade services at the home furnishings site Wayfair, for how to create a welcoming space where employees can feel at home while concentrating on their work:

1. Go natural

Cold and sterile finishes could breed a cold and sterile work environment. Instead, Dowling recommends favouring woods and fabrics over chrome and glass, putting down accent rugs, and incorporating plants in your decor.

“Lose those cold metal blinds,” she adds. “Install soft whites or, even better, leave the windows bare and let the outdoors in.”

If you're looking to expand your home office and improve your work-life balance, consider to invest in an outdoor living space to provide a comfortable and inspiring environment.

2. Create flexible spaces

With real estate increasingly unaffordable, Dowling suggests “flexing” your space so that you can do more with less. “It’s important to make your common spaces perform in many different applications,” she says.

For instance, you can eliminate conference rooms by creating sitting areas with furniture such as sectional sofas and funky coffee tables.

“Consider desks on wheels that move together to create a large table for group meetings,” she says. “Complete the area with ottomans – they have a dual purpose and can be moved throughout the office easily for pop-up discussions.”

Read: 8 Tips For An Organised And Productive Home Office

3. Build a “family-style” kitchen

“Traditional cafeteria-style tables are so passé,” Dowling says. Replace them with a rustic dining table that will encourage everyone to sit together.

“Dress it up with some vibrant fresh flowers in a funky vase to give the space a pop of colour and fresh scent,” she adds. Then your eating area can double as a meeting area for an impromptu conversation or brainstorming session.

4. Create a space to unplug

“Most of us find ourselves staring at a computer for hours on end,” Dowling says. “Sometimes we need a moment or two to decompress and collect our thoughts.”

To enable these refreshing moments, Dowling recommends setting aside a room or quiet corner of the office where employees can disconnect and quietly recharge. You may even explore indoor water fountain ideas and incorporate comfortable seating to enhance the calming atmosphere. Adding elements like soft lighting or soothing artwork can further create a tranquil environment where employees can relax and recharge away from their screens.

“No group meetings here!” she warns. “Incorporate home furnishings, such as comfortable chairs and sofas, incandescent lighting, plush pillows and throws, plants, framed artwork, and bookcases full of books, and soft music.

“These will give employees the sense of Zen they need to get through work’s toughest days.”

Check out: 6 Easy Tricks That Will Make You Way More Productive

5. Don’t forget to have fun!

“Many small businesses want to set playful, fresh tones to encourage innovation,” Dowling says. To do that, she suggests mixing new and old building materials, such as reclaimed brick or barn board.

Add interesting and fun art pieces and colourful lighting. And then put in some purely-for-fun elements such as a table tennis table or pool table, foosball, an old-fashioned jukebox, etc.

If you do all that, she says, “you’ll have yourself a fun, interactive space that inspires creativity and fosters a strong team environment.”