Sometimes leaving the coziness of your home and going to the office can make your heart hurt a little, especially when the temperatures are low and the comfort of home tempts you to avoid the office all together with every passing day of winter. We’re big proprietors for the idea that going to the office can feel just as comforting as working from home, and we take special care to make our coworking spaces feel warm and approachable through our design and hospitality offerings.
Though the office will truly never be home (and rightfully so), you can still make it feel like a true “home office away from home” with a few simple tactics.
Enjoy these 9 simple ways to make your office feel more like home!
1. Find a smell that makes your heart happy with aromatherapy
Whether it’s a favorite candle or diffusing essential oils, a nice smell can completely change the feeling you have in your office space. Did you know that smell is the strongest of the senses and is best able to influence brain activity? So not only will lighting a candle or diffusing oils make your office feel more cozy, it can also help to make you more productive in your workday. Win-win.
2. Find an accent rug that softens the room
Adding a rug to your office immediately warms up the space and gives it an overall homey feel. If you have a colored couch or chair (like the one shown above), try adding an accent rug that is more neutral in color so that it’s able to blend and tie the space together. However, if your furniture is neutral, or you only have room for your desks and filing cabinets, try adding an accent rug that has warm tones to brighten your space.
3. Elevate the mood with inspiring art
If you haven’t already added some texture to your walls, adding some peaceful and relaxing art can enhance the overall vibe of your space. It keeps it looking professional and clean while also adding personality and warmth.
4. Create warmth by adding live greenery
Add a plant! Or two, or three! If you struggle with keeping a plant alive, find a list of plants that thrive without natural light (if you have an interior office) (we personally love the ZZ plant and Snake plant), or just get a faux one. Plants are one of the easiest ways to quickly add warmth and life to any space.
5. Adjust the lighting in your space
Accent lamps tend to feel more relaxing than harsh overhead light. If you don’t have room for a floor or accent lamp, you can always opt for a warmer bulb (like an Edison bulb) for your overhead lights, or add in a unique overhead light fixture. And when you’re feeling festive during the holiday season, try stringing lights around your space!
6. Choose furniture that reminds you of home
When it comes to choosing furniture for your space, look for furniture that you’d find in a home, rather than the run-of-the-mill “office” furniture. Having a comfortable chair, love seat, or couch in your space can give you a much-needed place to relax when your day gets stressful.
7. Create a relaxing, productivity-conducive playlist
Spotify has lots of playlists specific to certain moods. Whether it’s a rainy day playlist, an autumn day playlist, or a morning commute playlist–the options are endless. Find one that makes you feel relaxed and productive. And if you’re feeling extra spunky, even opt for bringing a record player to work and keep a few favorite vinyls on deck in your office!
8. Keep a cozy blanket on hand
The easiest step of all? Simply bring a comfy blanket that you can use on those extra chilly days. Not only will it be comfortable for you to use if you’re ever cold, simply having a blanket hanging over a chair or couch or folded in a basket makes a space feel even more homey!
9. Personalize your office by making it an extension of your personality
At the end of the day, your office should feel like you. Personalize it by bringing photos of your family, pets, or favorite icons (we have quotes/photos of Beyonce, Tupac, Biggie, Tom Selleck, and Bob Ross–just to name a few). Decorate with meaningful objects/knick knacks to make your space really feel like your own.
By incorporating these 9 simple design tactics to your office’s aesthetic, you’ll feel right at home (at work) before you know it! You know what they say, there’s no place like the office that feels like home.
