HOME OFFICE INSPO

DRAWING THE LINE BETWEEN HOME & OFFICE

It’s a brand new world when it comes to the remote workplace and many of us find ourselves working from home more often (or WFH as they say in the Zoom crowd), trying to navigate the boundaries between our various roles as professionals, parents, spouses, and roommates.

It’s clear that the ways in which we conduct business are changing, focusing more on digital tools and communication methods. Businesses are experiencing the efficacy of the virtual workplace, and many employees, once they found the balance, have come to realize working from home can be a great way of life. In a remote, and yet accessible, mountain paradise like Steamboat, we will undoubtedly see a rise in people who want to leave more urban areas and relocate to communities like ours to enjoy a new work-life balance and the outdoor lifestyle we love so much.

No matter where you are, making the adjustment from an office workplace to the bedroom-to-laptop commute poses its own set of challenges. The most important of these challenges is figuring out a space that will be effective and productive. Whether that means converting a spare bedroom, squeezing into that one open corner in the living room, or even working from the kitchen table, we could all use a little inspiration when it comes to home office design.

That’s why we turned to Lynne Barton Bier, Principal/Lead Designer from Home on the Range Interiors, for some advice on how to create a space that is going to be as pleasant as it is productive. Bier has been a Steamboatbased interior designer and furnishings retail store owner for 31 years and knows a thing or two about how to strike a balance between work and play.

COMFORT IS KING.

Bier says it’s really important to make your space as ergonomic as possible, especially now that we conduct most of our interactions in front of the computer. “Some tips for achieving that goal include using a separate keyboard and mouse, elevating the screen so that your eyes are in line with a point that’s about a third down your screen and focusing on your posture,” Bier says. There are a lot of comfortable products, from standing desks to fitness balls, to choose from depending on your preference, but for long days in front of the computer, it’s worth the investment.

SETTING BOUNDARIES.

The biggest challenge is how to create boundaries between work and home. “It’s easy to get distracted when you’re working from home, and family members may have the tendency to forget you are working and interrupt,” Bier says. To minimize those interruptions, it is essential to create some type of barrier to delineate the space. “If you don’t have the luxury of working in a separate room, it can be as simple as putting up a screen or tall bookshelf that separates your workspace from the rest of your living space, thus creating the mindset that when you are in that space, you are at work.”

“Good lighting is also very important. Make sure your lighting is geared to reducing eye fatigue,” Bier says. Ideally, you want to be in a place with plenty of natural light and then enhance the lighting with a desk lamp or accent light. If you’ve snagged the only spot in the house with any privacy, whether it’s in a basement or a closet, warm LED lighting is good for task lighting and works well when paired with overhead lighting. “If you are working in a small space, use a mirror to help open up the space and make it feel larger,” Bier says. If your space doesn’t have any windows, a plant can help bring the outside in.

BRIGHTEN YOUR MOOD WITH COLOR.

“From an interior design perspective, color greatly affect our moods,” Bier says. She suggests using colors that help reduce stress like blues and greens, but also bringing in some energizing colors, like red. “You want your space to be both soothing and stimulating, which can be a hard mix to achieve.” Bier says studies show the color blue boosts creativity, while red encourages attention to detail. Green can also put people in an imaginative mood because of its association with nature. “You can bring these different colors into your room via art, wall color, furniture pieces, accent rugs, and accessories.”

BRING IN ORDER —AND PERSONALITY.

“An important element of being able to focus in a small space is to make sure to declutter it. That promotes a more focused mental state,” Bier says. “It’s also nice to add your personality into your work area to make it a more pleasant spot in which to spend time.” Put together a vision board to keep you inspired, or bring in a favorite art piece, books, candles, and framed photos. Household items such as baskets, ceramic dishes, and wooden trays can be used to organize your office supplies and feel less institutional, striking the perfect balance between work and home.

//homeontherangeinteriors.com