One of the benefits of working from home is the freedom to be able to design our own work space. Often impersonal and uninviting, company offices are built for productivity rather than comfort. Working from home enables you to create an office space which not only meets your specific needs, but reflects your personality and creative tastes. As the nights draw in and the temperature lowers, you may be seeking ways in which to make your home working space winter-ready.
Regardless of its shape and size, there are many simple yet effective ways in which you can transform even the dullest of areas into a cosy den which will see you through the colder months. The first step is to ensure that your home working space is sufficiently heated. After that, it’s time to get creative with warm colours and cosy textures which will maximise comfort and help to keep those winter blues at bay.
If your current working space isn’t quite the homely snug you desire, here are 5 ways in which you can make your home office cosy for winter…
Soften Up
You can instantly transform any room just by changing or introducing soft furnishings and it won’t break the bank either. Choose natural shades and cosy textures to soften edges and make your working environment more inviting. Deep pile rugs will add warmth beneath your feet and knitted or faux fur cushions will make even the coldest looking office seem more homelike. A sheep skin throw or a fluffy blanket thrown over the back of your chair would be a useful, and also attractive, addition.
Rustic Vibes
The colour and material of your furniture will have a significant impact on the overall feel of your home office. During the winter, rich wood grains and rough-edged pieces are more appropriate than standard white desks and cold metal filing cabinets. When the outside is covered in a blanket of snow, we need darker surfaces to add warmth to our interiors, rather than stark white surfaces which mimic wintery scenes. Consider using darker colours on your walls too, which will instantly create a more intimate ambience. Think rustic cabin rather than modern and minimalistic!
Cosy Corners
If you don’t have a separate home office and you’re working from a dedicated space in another room, there are still ways in which you can make it a cosy place for productivity. With a little creativity and some carefully chosen soft furnishings, a small corner or interesting alcove can easily become a hygge home office for one. For spaces such as these, the chair you choose could make all the difference. Choose a comfortable chair which supports your back but add fluffy soft furnishings to make it sufficiently snug.
Home Style
When you have a home office, you are not tied by strict rules and regulations when it comes to layout and design. Your work space is yours to do with as you please. A great way of ensuring your home office does indeed feel homely, is by choosing décor which is similar or at least complements the décor in other parts of your home. To really make it feel like an extension of your main living spaces, you could add an area for relaxation such as a cushioned reading corner or an elegant chaise longue.
Picture Perfect
Gallery walls are bang on trend right now and will brighten up a bland room with minimal effort or cost. Mount a selection of framed photographs or art prints on the wall your desk faces and you’ll always have something pleasant to look at. Photographs of your family are a great choice if you feel isolated from the rest of your household during working hours. Holiday snaps or paintings of sunny destinations would certainly be nice reminders of warmer days and family holidays.
At Hartleys, our experienced team of designers can transform even the smallest of areas into a homely, yet practical and high functioning office space. To arrange for one of our designers to visit you at home, just give us a call on 01756 700471.
