We’ve all spent a bit more time at home over the last year. Perhaps you’ve been working from home either part or full-time, and your house wasn’t quite prepped for it. I work from home anyway so I’m set up in our home office, but my husband has been camped out on our dining room table with his whole set up since March or April.
Whether you have a designated space that you’ve been using or you’re making it work, if you’re like me, you make an effort to spruce and keep things cozy no matter how many computer monitors have invaded your personal space. Your home doesn’t have to feel like the office, even if you’re using it like one!
I love working in a space that feels warm and inviting. So let’s talk about how to cozy up your home office so that your work space feels a little more zen and your home doesn’t feel like a cubicle.
Use More Green
Plants can change the feel of a space entirely. For $50 at Home Depot, you can have your office space feeling like a whole new world. I prefer plants that are hard to kill because my track record with houseplants isn’t so good. Since I live in Florida, the corn plant (Dracaena fragrans, not the food) in my office is doing well, doesn’t need a lot of maintenance, and brings floor-to-ceiling green to my backdrop. Do your research to figure out which plants like your climate and how much sunlight your space gets before buying.
Essential Oils
One of my favorite things to do in my office is keep my essential oil diffuser running. Choose an oil or blend that promotes stress reduction and keeps your office smelling fresh. You could also burn an essential oil based candle to add a warm vibe to your space as well. Avoid anything with fragrance and synthetic chemicals in it as those are extremely toxic and won’t help your overall mood or health throughout the day.
Make It Pretty
You spend a lot of time in your office space every week, so consider it an investment space. The better the space feels, the better you’ll feel because the energy of our surroundings can heavily influence our own energy for better or worse. Add some artwork on the walls, keep a cute coffee mug handy, and infuse some good vibes by setting out crystals. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but those personal touches can go a long way.
Clutter Free
One of the best things you can do for any space is to keep it clutter free. This is especially true for your home office! Invest in an organizational system to reduce loose papers that have a tendency pile up. And go through it regularly to throw away what you no longer need. For me, keeping knick-knacks to an absolutely minimum is important to me feeling like my space is clear. I have a few select sentimental items that I give a designated space, but that’s it. Start and end your day with a clear space so that you can avoid distractions first thing and there isn’t an image of stuff piled up looming in your mind while you’re off the clock.