Remote working is on the up and many of are us facing the prospect of working from home for weeks – and even months – to come. So we want to offer some simple yet effective interior design tips for creating beautiful, practical and inspiring work from home spaces. 

There’s been so much attention in recent years about the benefits of creating incredible office spaces for employees. Because it helps boost morale, increase productivity and, as a whole, make us feel happier at work. The space we occupy can impact everything from our work ethic to our mental health, so it’s never been more important.

Versatile office furniture from our trusted supplier Globewest

Why is design important at home?

We’re huge advocates of this movement. As we collectively face the uncertainty of remote working and working from home, we want to help you create a space that inspires creativity, comfort and practicality. A space that will motivate you to stay focused even while you’re away from the traditional work environment.

As the founders of Designbx, we’ve been working from home for 5 years. And along the way we’ve picked up some great interior design tips on how to create truly inspiring workspaces.

Here are 5 interior design tips to help you spruce up your workspace, today

1. Green is good

Nothing brightens up a space or your mood like bringing the outdoors in. So position your workspace by a window, or simply add the touch of some live plants or freshly cut flowers. Green is the colour of life, energy and vitality and is the most relaxing colour to the human eye. So it makes sense that adding a touch of green to your home office will make those long days a little brighter. For some inspiration, read our blog on the best indoor plants for every room.

2. Bigger isn’t always better

There are so many clever products and techniques we can use to maximise your workspace. You don’t need to live in a large home to be able to create an effective workspace. From clever desk and chair designs to space-saving storage solutions and multi-purpose furniture, we can help you make the most of what you’ve got. 

3. Add a touch of personality

Be it pictures of your loved ones, a drawing from your child, or a memento from your favourite holiday. Adding a personal touch to your workspace will ensure you don’t lose sight of why you’re working so hard in the first place. Because it’s important to foster connections to the people around you and the things that bring you joy.

An inspiration wall keeps spirits high, be sure to rotate key images week to week, stay fresh! 

4. Go towards the light

Scientific research proves there are real benefits to spending time in natural light-filled spaces. So setting up your home office somewhere that offers a source of natural light will be an instant mood booster. Because it reduces the need for artificial lighting that drains your energy, and adds to your power bill and environmental footprint. If your home doesn’t offer much in the way of natural light, consider making your workspace “transportable” and taking yourself and your laptop off to the garden, a park or a nearby cafe for a few hours each day.

5. Hit all the senses

It’s not just about how a space looks – make sure you capture your other senses…

• Try adding your favourite candle or an aromatherapy diffuser.
• Make sure you have access to your latest Spotify soundtrack.
• Add some beautiful textures by way of cushions or a cheeky stress ball.
• Make sure you have a bowl of your favourite snacks on hand.

A great space is about capturing all of the sense, and a home office is no exception. 

Everyday furniture can become beautiful, custom-designed workspaces for the home. 

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more tips and hacks on maximising your work from home experience, so make sure you’re connected with us on Instagram and Facebook. 

We’re also offering 50% off our Transform Design Packages because we want to help you create a beautiful space that will support your well-being and productivity as we all navigate new ways of working. 

The post Interior design tips to create a great home workspace appeared first on Designbx.

 We prescribe to the “an office in a box” approach. Working in the digital era should allow you to use a fashionable box, basket, or leather bag as your portable office. If you can’t fit your necessities in a single storage item then it’s time to streamline your business and become more digital-focused. Less is more in every way!

2. Creature comforts

Busy professionals spend a lot of time on the job, so it’s essential for your office to be comfortable. Design your space to fit your creature habits. If you work best standing, look to source ergonomic standing desks. If you love doing inspired work in a relaxed environment, add oversized beanbags and casual seating to your space to get those creative juices flowing. 

3. Light bulb moments

Lighting is a fundamental design element for any work space, and variety is often key.  Depending on your profession, light requirements can vary. Programmers prefer darker spaces to ease the strain on eyes, where as designers prefer more natural light to view true colours. If you’re relying on ceiling lights as your primary source, add freestanding lamps, desk lights and pendants as focal lighting. The great thing is you can really play with scale, colour and texture here to add some wow factor to the office.

4. Bring the outdoors in

There’s nothing like indoor plants to bring an office to life. The benefits are not only visually striking but offer natural purification for your space and bring a sense of home to the commercial interior design world.  If lighting is poor and your budget is entry-level then look at artificial plants. The quality is hard to fault these days. You could opt to create a ‘live wall’ effect, or hang an array of ferns from the ceiling to create a little jungle fever!

5. Business projections

Most offices have big walls that they struggle to decorate or are unable to cover due to leasing restrictions.  A great way to add wow factor is the use of projectors. You can source some amazing wireless projectors from office supply shops and project beautifully designed and branded images onto your walls. The great thing is you can change the imagery as often as you like (you may have a weekly theme) and these devices can move with you, adopting to any surroundings.   

6. Give your brand a soundtrack

Don’t underestimate the effect of audio. Interior design is about tapping into all the senses. Some offices feel lifeless as there’s no positive noise, especially at a reception or entry area. Look to play music that gives your internal team and clients a sense of your brand’s personality.

7. The fragrance of success

While we’re on the subject of senses, don’t neglect smell.  An office space can be visually stunning but if the air quality doesn’t reflect productivity and creativity, the office can be effected. In Japan the Takasago Corporation carried out research into how smells affect the accuracy of typists. It found “54% made fewer errors when they could smell lemon, 33% fewer with jasmine, and 20% fewer with lavender,” reports Jon Card in the UK Guardian newspaper.

Pop a few vaporisers around the office in secluded areas and place them on timers to start early so people arriving are greeted with a fresh, invigorating smelling office. Time them to come on throughout the day to keep the spirits high!

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Coastal Office
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Part 3D brochure, part functional office and part playground, Airbnb’s new Sydney headquarters has just set a new standard in commercial interior design while remaining true to its brand. In fact, it’s hard to name a business address that better exemplifies an organisation’s values. But forget all the interior design theory and technical reasons why this incredible space is the right fit for Airbnb. We just want to find an excuse to go there!

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Imagine entering via a miniature AFL stadium, complete with oval and posts; or making a coffee in a space that looks and feels like the Coogee Pavilion? Each room is like visiting a new exotic location, local or international, that entices customers and clients to start planning their next trip. Then again, after a visit to Sydney’s coolest office, you may already feel like you’ve added a few stamps to your passport. “Simply having photos of listings and far off places is not enough,” says Airbnb Australia Country Manager, Sam McDonagh. “We want our employees and guests to experience the feeling you get when you travel.”

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Meeting rooms are themed on specific Airbnb listings, the lounge is a virtual Kangaroo Valley, the sitting room is set in Sweden and a meal in the dining room transports you to Havana. Even a trip to the bathroom is an adventure, with Hollywood Regency awaiting the ladies while a gentleman’s club and whiskey bar may mean the fellas never want to leave the Gents.

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The company aimed to create a space that represented their business values of ‘creativity, travel and thoughtful design’ but this innovative design goes further to inspire customers, clients and staff. It’s certainly received a unanimous round of applause from the team here at Designbx.

Designbx  |  “Airbnb Sydney Headquaters”  | designbx.com

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According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in twelve Australians works from home, but that figure will skyrocket over the next few years. There’s also a legion of artists and entrepreneurs who finish the daily grind only to go home and work on pet projects.

“Keep an ABW (activity base working) approach at home. A healthy way to detach from work when not scene “

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Our ambitions are expanding as our spaces shrink, so it’s never been more important to have a comfortable, productive work environment. But anyone who’s worked from home knows that doing it successfully isn’t simply a matter of finding a flat surface and a comfy chair. Thankfully any room in your home can have a dual identity and become a brilliant space for creation and focus, or you may decide to style a room specifically for your career. It’s all a matter of smart planning and clever design.

“Built in bookcases behind the dining table reverts from functional office to personality filled dining room with a clear of the table”

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“Making a space specific to your work space doesn’t need to be large, just considerate to your style and functional needs”

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Take storage for instance. Most people living in the city or suburbs already have challenges when it comes to space. It seems daunting but the answer may be as simple as stacked baskets, boxes or crates that keep your surfaces clutter-free and guarantee your work is safe. But consider measurements, textures and colours to make sure that stack in the corner is a feature, not an eyesore.

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Few of us have the luxury of having a dedicated room for an office. How do we meet the challenge of creating a room with a double identity, and which room do you choose? The good news is any room can seamlessly make a daily transition from its primary function to makeshift office, or coexist happily. The Industrial styling of your living room may be the natural site for architectural inspiration, or your Boho Chic bedroom’s exotic vibrance may energise a graphic designer.

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Your workspace could be a great excuse to add a library or study to a larger living area, not only complimenting the room but aesthetically improving it. A floating desk can create a more sociable environment and improve productivity by including friends, partners or the kids. Rather than feel isolated as you work, feel integrated. Be honest about the usefulness of each room.

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A formal dining area may be used rarely, especially in modern households where schedules clash. There’s no need to completely eliminate its original function or remove furniture. Just redesign the space to make it lively and inspirational. Simply swapping an elegant style like Scandi for Modern Eclectic’s vitality may transform a rarely used space into one that looks and feels productive.

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Probably the most positive example of adding a workspace is a collaborative area designed to be a hub of work activity for everyone in the home. It’s a case of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’. Just make sure everyone’s catered for, including practical seating for kids and adults. Sometimes a soft and attractive partition can be all it takes to separate your work life from home life.

“A space for all”

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In a home with Coastal design, dropdown blinds may be the perfect touch, or perhaps your divider can be more subtle, simply telling the rest of the family that the space is dedicated to work without dramatically splitting the area. Storage shelves are a good example, keeping the room open and letting the light in. Freestanding room dividers are an easy fix but don’t ruin your interiors by adding a feature that clashes with your style. Make sure you consider finishes.

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It’s always possible to achieve pleasing, practical design. For instance, if your room is French Accent, stay ‘on theme’ with careful attention to detail and textures. Most importantly, it’s incredibly important to feel comfortable as you work, so your office, like the rest of your home, needs to be truly you. Consistency is key and that includes materials and lighting that create a seamless flow from one space to the next. As our work and private lives become more integrated, it’s increasingly important to think of your home office as a truly integrated space that inspires you and reflects your personality.

  “Room to be you”

Designbx  “Home offices for every lifestyle“ www.designbx.com

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Pendant lights are an elegant way to achieve an enjoyable decorative experience. This lighting should be the focal point and fit properly into the space in terms of shape, size and style. Pendant lights come in a wide variety of designs, elegantly hanging above a kitchen table or taking center stage in the dining room. Check out our favourite samples and some useful tips for you.

Kitchen

Pendants in the kitchen area are mood-setters. Consider a pendant with a light diffuser, or use semi-opaque bulbs. Pendants should hang 12-20 inches below an 8-foot ceiling. For each additional foot of ceiling height, add 3 inches. For example, for a 9-foot ceiling, the pendant should hang 15-23 inches below. Pendants should be hung over work surfaces at a height that doesn’t block views across the kitchen.

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Dining Room

A dining room pendant lighting gives atmosphere. The light should flatter the décor and make the best of it. It will take center stage and it must be updated and beautiful. It’s the perfect opportunity be bold and dare with colour and shape.

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Living Room

Pendant lights can make a room feel cozy, romantic or energetic with the twist or hit of a switch. The main light, should be set in such a way as not to create too much shadow. Use more than one pendant to divide the light and enhance a pleasant atmosphere.

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Home office

With more and more people opting to work from home nowadays, there are a few integral things to consider when creating the layout – including your pendant lighting options. Hung from the ceiling, they can provide light just where you want it: on the desk and your paperwork, not on your screen.

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30th October 2015 | The Designbx Team | Interiors- Pendant Perfection

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