We’re happy to welcome you lovely Redecorators to another lesson! Today we’ll be focusing on the fundamentals of office design.
We all know how exhausting it can be to fall into a work-routine, and sometimes a minimalistic, clean and bright office is all you need to get out of a rut in the workplace. Whether we’re talking about a personal office within a larger office space, or a home office, a number of principles stay the same.
Here are a few great tips to create the best offices!
- Start with the desk. The desk is the biggest piece of furniture in the room, which is why it’s important to position it first and then see how everything else falls into place around it. Choose if you want a symmetrical design (so you can choose where to place your wall arts, rugs and decorations) or an asymmetrical one (in which case your desk can even be a corner desk!).
- Storage options are a must in every office. Having options to stow away unneeded papers and office-supplies is beyond valuable. You can choose between desk drawers and floating cabinets up above – but whatever you go for, try to make sure it’s comfortable to use.
- Office shelves aren’t just for books! Dress them with beautiful houseplants and knick knacks for maximum professional effect. Try to go for multiples instead of one lone design item.
It’s important to note that offices are more than just their “looks”. There are certain elements that don’t necessarily pop out at you, but you feel them immediately. We’re talking about the acoustics, the ergonomic structure of the furniture, and the lighting!
- Acoustics are everything! You don’t want to hear the rest of the house or office building when you’re trying to think. Ways to soundproof your room are by placing thicker carpets on the floor and adding large houseplants to absorb the noise.
- Ergonomics are extremely important in the long run to create a sustainable and healthy work environment. The chair’s shape must support your spinal curves and the height must be adjusted so that your thighs are parallel to the floor. Your arms should gently rest on the armrests while your shoulders are loose and relaxed. The height of your table should allow your arms to slide into the armchair comfortably. This will make sure your upper body is balanced and you can work at your desk for a longer period of time.
- Looking for a more elevated look? Swap the standard office lighting for more unique wall lights, mounted lamps, under cabinet lights, pendants or even chandeliers! Lights matter more than you think and affect the ambiance immediately.
Today’s task:
Create an office while taking our tips into account: the office should feel professional, ornate yet not cluttered, and as acoustic as possible. Do you have what it takes to design it to perfection?
Homework:
Where do you work? Do you feel inspired to come into work every day? Think about the room size, the lighting and the sounds that reach your work station. What would you change about it? Not all jobs are a “desk job”, and that’s great too! What do you need in order to feel happy and fulfilled in your job? What in the physical world can support you on your quest to do a good job?
Practice makes perfect:
Practice today’s lesson on the Season Pass challenge, “Lesson 9”, going live on September 20th at 10:00 AM UTC
