1) Keep it green

Research shows that greenery is key when it comes to concentration, boosting mood and creating a more calm working environment. In fact, The American Psychological Association found that workers in spaces with plants showed 15% higher productivity than those without1, so it’s definitely a good idea to incorporate plants and greenery into your home office.

The best plants to incorporate into your home office space, are: 

• Peace Lily - they don’t need much light and help remove toxins from the air 
• Devils Ivy - these can adapt easily to a variety of conditions 
• Chinese Evergreen - offers visual variety and requires little maintenance

2) Let the light in 

Poor lighting can make you feel tired, strain your eyes and give you a headache, all of which can take away focus and motivation. A study also found a direct positive correlation between daylight and productivity, finding that natural light improves alertness.

This means that a well-lit room is crucial for a good home office space, so we’d advise setting up your desk near a window and staying away from harsh, electric lights. If this isn’t possible, daylight or SAD lamps that simulate natural light would also help.

3) Use bright colours 

The colour of your room can drastically affect your mood and wellbeing. In fact, colour psychologists have confirmed that the colour of a room affects your behaviour, mood and concentration - so choosing the perfect shade for your home office is very important.

Both blue and green have been said to encourage productivity, making these hues a popular choice for offices. Yellow has been shown to increase mood, positivity and happiness, making it a perfect hue for home working, especially among the current uncertainty.  

• Choose blue for wakefulness, clarity, productivity 
• Choose green for calm, reassurance, relaxation 
• Choose yellow for happiness, positivity, energy

4) Experiment with scents 

Need an extra pick me up? Then try experimenting with some different scents in your home office. Many studies have shown that odours impact our mood, creativity and problem-solving skills, and one Japanese study found that diffusing lemon oil through an office increased worker’s performance by 54%.

Be careful not to create an overpowering smell though and avoid artificial perfumes. We’d advise sticking with natural scents like lavender and essential oils instead, such as: 

• Pine - for alertness 
• Cinnamon - for focus 
• Lavender - to relax 
• Peppermint - to lift your mood 
• Citrus (any) - for wakefulness

5) Keep it cool 

Research has shown that productivity can dramatically suffer if the temperature of your working environment isn’t right for you. 

According to one review from the OSTI, the ideal temperature is between 21 and 25°C, with concentration levels dropping by 2% for every degree over 255. To avoid a dip in concentration, make sure temperature levels stay constant.

Bringing in a breeze, whether that’s via an open window or a small desk fan, can freshen up your workspace while reducing temperatures, helping to keep you comfortable and productive while working from home.  

Commenting on the research, Rebecca continued: “Working from home can be a difficult time for some and a great experience for others. Creating a productive environment that strikes a balance between comfy and clutter-free can be difficult, which is why we've created this set of home office layouts, to inspire people to make their home office as productive and enjoyable as possible in these trying times.” 

For more information on how to set up a productive home office space, please click here.