With more of us working and studying from home these days, at least some of the time, we're becoming wiser about what environments help us work better.
Whether we need a place to catch up on household admin, dip into a part-time role or execute a full-time job, it isn't sufficient to open our laptop on the couch or any old place that happens to be vacant.
What we need is an office space that inspires as well as encourages productivity and creativity.
Here are some factors to consider to create an inspiring workspace that leaves you feeling happy to work from home:
Whether your home office is an entire room on its own or a nook within an open-plan living area, define it with some fresh Resene paint. The emotional impact of colour is strong, so use it to effect, embracing the feel-good factor it can provide.
Blue, the colour of a clear sky on a sunny day and the ocean, evokes feelings of calmness and stability. Explore the cornflower blue of Resene Delta Blue, the baby blue of Resene Mystery or the green-blue of Resene Destiny. Too dark may be overwhelming and distracting for an office, however, so be mindful.
For a breezy, clean look, you can't go past off-whites – use Resene Spanish White or Resene Pearl Lusta; their fresh offering is anything but sterile, with a hint of warmth thanks to yellow undertones.
Or breathe nature into your office with refreshing green. This on-trend colour offers a sense of peace and relaxation and can be brought in using the soft tones of Resene Peace, grass tones of Resene Bilbao and earthy tones of Resene Flax.
Pink is known to enhance creativity, but instead of candy brights, use the pink apricot of Resene Soulful or brown-edged pink of Resene Dust Storm or the dusky tones of Resene Coral Tree.
Resene colour specialist Annette Smith says we should look towards earthy colours when bringing colour into a home office, known for their gentle yet uplifting qualities. ‘‘We also get a lot of clients looking at soft blues and soft or sage greens because they're quite calming, but if you get one with a bit of yellow tint, it might be too vibrant,’’ she says.
‘‘It's also good if your home office is located near a window as it flows visually with the outdoors – especially perfect if you have green walls. Use soft colours, rather than red or vibrant blue, which can be too stimulating to the eye, or yellow – not bright, but soft, warm tones.’’
Elevate your working experience with the simplicity and clean lines of the Japandi look. Characterised by natural colours, organic shapes and plenty of texture, the effect is calming and relaxing. Bring in the soft neutral of Resene Double Sisal or Resene Parchment or the gentle green of Resene Lemon Grass with the amber tones of Resene Mai Tai.
Where you apply your colour is up to you. Coat four walls in one Resene paint colour or only three walls, leaving the fourth one a feature wall in a darker version of your surrounding hue. If you're thinking of painting a mural on a wall, consider whether you'll end up creating too much of a busy space for you to work in. For some people, a calm, clean aesthetic allows them to work best.
Split your colour on your wall horizontally, placing one hue on the bottom half and a neutral on the top half. Some pairs that resonate beautifully are blues and neutrals such as Resene Bismark with Resene Secrets, Resene Raindance with Resene White Alabaster or Resene Fast Forward with Resene Raindance. For greens, work Resene Rivergum with Resene Peace or Resene Flax with Resene Thistle. If pink is your heart's desire, partner Resene Blanched Pink with Resene Buttery White or light coral of Resene Paper Doll with Resene Quarter Peal Lusta.
If space is at a premium, you may have an unused nook in your kitchen or open-plan living area that calls to be used. Think cleverly about dead spaces that you might walk past every day that could work as an office. Paint the back wall and shelves a colour that inspires you. Install a desk and shelving, or consider a temporary desk. Many companies have created fold-away height-adjustable modular desks and other features that make working from home more manageable.
If your living area is a large open plan area, zoning can enhance how this area works for you if you're working from home. Paint a freestanding screen in a colour that blends with your surrounding palette but makes a statement, letting it work as a divider to the rest of the room.
Suppose you can't paint a whole study wall. In that case, Annette says the best way to bring colour in is by painting walls a neutral colour and accessorising with personalised objects that bring you joy or have a calming effect. Use coloured planter pots with your favourite flowers in them and other different décor items in keeping the theme of colour.
Remember to keep your office visually clean. The less clutter you have in your office, the easier it will be to think clearly and keep track of your items. Ultimately, you want an area that allows you to be productive and think. Mess and untidiness will only prevent this from happening. Find storage solutions that work well for your space, whether it be a filing cabinet that can be wheeled under the desk or double as a bedside table if your desk is in your bedroom. Or install a shelf on which to store pretty storage boxes or paint filing boxes in which to file paperwork above your desk.
Proper lighting is essential in a home office. With both productivity and inspiration at the front of mind, bring in both practical and ambient lighting. Revamp a vintage or even a new desk lamp with a paint colour that inspires you whenever you see it. The result should be an even balance of lighting that is comfortable to the eye. And remember how frustrating it is if you can't access power outlets easily for your devices, so allow for plenty of these in your office, keeping cables out of the way.
By considering all of these factors, including working with Resene colour combinations that inspire you, you can create a home office that feels just right for you.
