In the midst of the pandemic, having a home office was no longer a luxury reserved for those who have enough space to create a haven of productivity. Nowadays, it's become a necessity. While you’re spending a lot of time working from home, it’s important to decorate your home office in a way that reflects what you’re passionate about and inspires you to be your most productive self.
This isn’t always easy. If your living space is already restrictive, it can be difficult to carve out an area of calm that feels “just for work.” After all, when home and office blend, it can sometimes lead to distractions or restlessness, instead of the aspirational visions of cappuccinos in bed à la Julia Roberts in Notting Hill that we had in mind.
Whether it be reinventing your kitchen table or investing in some new pieces of furniture (like the best desk chairs, because back support, duh), these simple working from home tips will help you decorate your home office and transform it into a comfortable, calming and creative environment.
How to decorate a home office on a budget:
1. Add fresh flowers
It sounds like such a simple thing, but keeping a vase of fresh flowers on your desk every day and investing the time and effort to replenishing them is like an act of self-love. Not only does it send a message to yourself that you’re the kind of organized, professional person who deserves a well-presented workspace, but it will also make you smile.
2. Hang an inspiration board
Surrounding yourself with images that stimulate and inspire you is an easy way to make your workspace aesthetically pleasing while reminding you of your goals and to stay focused. A stylish way to do this is to use a metallic grid which you can mount on a wall and attach postcards, quotes or photos using mini clips. You could also collect mementos of things that remind you of your goals and pin them up using a corkboard.
We recommend hanging your board near your desk, preferably in your daily eye line, so that it continues to inspire you throughout your working hours. If you fancy using it as the focus for a gallery wall, simply pick out two or three colors that feature in your mood board and source four art prints that also feature these colors. Position them in a roughly circular shape with your mood board in the middle and the other four pictures surrounding it, some slightly above and some slightly below.
3. Rent your furniture
The interior design industry is changing, as more young people rent for longer, unsure if they will ever get on the property ladder. This, combined with consumers’ rising expectations for innovative, flexible initiatives from retailers and options rooted in sustainability, has seen a wave of furniture rental schemes pop up. Both IKEA and Muji announced that they would trial renting furniture back in 2019, although neither has officially launched yet.
John Lewis is trialing a rental service in Greater London that allows you to rent everything from desks and tables to sofas and office chairs for £15 a month. Plus, once you’re done, each piece is cleaned and refurbished and rented to someone new, sustainably prolonging its life. We also love Harth, a platform where you can rent from other furniture enthusiasts for a monthly fee. This is an ideal option if you don’t see yourself working from home forever, or you just want to keep your home up-to-date with the latest trends.
4. Light some candles
We all know work can be stressful and although your surroundings can’t help you sift through your inbox, don’t underestimate the calming powers of an aromatherapy candle.
Burning one of the best scented candles is a small touch but it will help you to feel that you have cultivated your surroundings purposefully for your working self. This alone is a positive ritual and enables you to feel a little more in control when you’re having a busy day. Opt for a candle that uses calming essential oils like lavender, chamomile, neroli or rose and you’ll feel the benefits physically as well mentally!