As the number of people working from home continues to rise, British homeworkers are creating new and innovative home offices.
Garden offices are a growing trend. Whether it’s a modified shed, an airy summer house or a specialist ‘pod’, there is something about having a quiet space in the natural environment of the garden that is, unsurprisingly, appealing to homeworkers. According to Everyday Health being at one with nature is extremely calming and can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while also increasing creative output. So how can you design your garden office to make the most of the natural environment and reap the benefits from it?
Windows
Ensure that your garden office has a lot of windows. If you can’t see the beauty of the garden then you may as well be in a high-rise office block. Windows will also increase the flow of natural light in the room which is essential for mood and concentration. Mirrors can also be used to make a room feel lighter and airy.
Plants
Why not bring the outdoors in when it comes to decorating garden offices? An array of fresh flowers from your garden will undoubtedly brighten up your workspace while green plants are thought to have a number of health and wellbeing benefits. Because of their ability to absorb carbon monoxide and give out oxygen, they act as wonderful, natural air purifiers. Bring a green plant into your office and you may well begin to notice positive changes such as feeling more alert and focused. So not only will they look pretty they’ll also cleanse the air thus improving your wellbeing and productivity.
Decor
Studies suggest that the shade which we paint our workspaces can directly impact our creative output, mood and productivity levels. Low wavelength shades such as pale blues and green are thought to be calming while yellows can be inspiring for the creative mind. Dramatic colours like reds can create a more stressful atmosphere though, so on the whole, it’s best to stick to light, natural colours in your garden office.
Garden themed furnishings
Keep the garden theme going with soft furnishings that draw inspiration from the natural world. Paintings, cushions and rugs will make a space more comfortable, and when you feel comfortable you’re more likely to want to spend time in your office.