Welcome to All in the
Detail... I am so glad you are here!
It seems that more and more people are choosing to work from their
home. I know that a great majority of my design work is now focusing on the redesign
of my clients' home offices.
Whether you are self-employed,
have the freedom of working from home for a company, or just need a work space
to pay the bills and keep up with the home’s paperwork, a few special added touches will create a comfortable and efficient space to make your work day go a
little easier.
Here
are a few simple updates that I always suggest for improving a work space.
These will create a space you'll feel great in and won't mind spending a
little extra time in.
Proper Seating
Look for a chair with lower-back support and
adjustable height and arm rests so you can sit up straight with your knees
level. And lean back now and then: New research says it’s good for you.
A Well-Placed Monitor
Your neck and eyes will thank you if the top
of your screen is at eye level and about 18 to 28 inches away from you. To
avoid fatigue-inducing glare, don’t park your computer in front of a window.
Room Temperature
Hot office? Cold outside? Or vice versa?
Keep a wrap handy so you can stay comfortable.
Soothing Smells
Get the calming effects of aromatherapy at
work with a bowl of potpourri, a bouquet of sweet-smelling flowers, a jasmine
plant, or a scent diffuser for your office. Flowers can also enhance creativity.
A Pretty Palette
To lower your stress level, work cooler
hues, such as aqua or lavender, into your office.
Rest Your Wrists
Prevent carpal tunnel syndrome with a
cushioned wrist support (wrists should be in a straight, not bent, position).
Soothing Sounds
Minimize irritating background racket by getting a fan, a sound machine, an iPod, or
earplugs to help block it out.
Use Plants
The right plant can add oxygen and humidity
to dry office air. Plus the addition of plant life will bring 'life' into any space.
Let in the Light
Natural sunlight can increase the brain’s
levels of the calming chemical serotonin and also help suppress the
sleep-inducing hormone melatonin.
Channel the Chi
A mini-fountain on your shelf or desk taps
into the Chinese practice of feng shui balance; moving water is a symbol of
wealth and empowerment.
Task Lighting
Overhead lighting can cause glare and make
you look like you pulled an all-nighter. Turn off the overheads and use task
lighting.
Phone Improvement
Invest in a headset to avoid neck and
shoulder pain from cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear.
A Feel-Good Moment
A special photo of an important person,
place, or pet can help make even a bad day tolerable.
