When designing your home office, there are probably a few key factors on your mind. You want it to be ergonomic, comfortable, and attractive. Making it eco-friendly might also cross your mind. Combining all of this seems like quite the challenge, and it really is if you don’t already have a few ideas to work with. If you’re lacking in this department, consider some of the following design changes that could make your office just the way you need it.
Bamboo from the Floor to the Ceiling
Home offices are often mixed bags in terms of the eco-friendliness of building materials used. On one hand, there’s probably lots of wood construction all around, but on the other, you also have lots of plastic and surfaces painted over. This isn’t exactly great for the environment, especially since a lot of plastic and paper are already wasted during most jobs. What if there were a way to make it a bit more sustainable than before?
The good news is, there are construction materials that can replace unsustainable options. Bamboo is a great example. It can be used in everything from floorboards to the very walls of the office. While you don’t need to make everything out of bamboo, a few details here and there would be great. Plus, bamboo is easy to paint over with just about any colour you want. It would work even better with some environmentally friendly paint that’s low in VOCs.
A Bit of Green Goes a Long Way
Speaking of useful plant matter, potted plants work wonders for any home office. You can always do with some more plants, so why not add a few to your office?
Potted plants come in all shapes and sizes, which means you won’t have trouble finding one that’s perfect for your desk or window. No matter where you put them, they’ll add to the cozy factor by quite a bit. Plus, plants have been shown to reduce anxiety and improve focus. Just looking at a few green leafy plants is enough to significantly calm someone’s nerves. This can be especially useful for your office, as you never know when work is going to start feeling like a burden.
The best part is that plants aren’t particularly costly. You can fill your office with the most wonderous potted plants for a pretty low price. If you’re aiming to make a statement and save even more cash, you can also grow your own potted plants right from seeds. They’re going to inspire you even more if you can see them grow from nothing into gorgeous pieces.
Efficient Energy Savings
A big part of environmental-friendliness is not being wasteful with your energy expenditures. Most home offices will need lots of energy to be functional throughout the day. You’ll need to keep it warm when it’s cold, and well-lit during the night. It’s important that your focus is on your work, so it needs to be comfortable.
When it comes to the lighting, you can always opt to add some more natural lighting to your home office. Make sure you keep your desk close to a window so that you can utilize as much natural light as possible. It’s going to make you more productive and comfortable, which will make working hard a lot easier. Candles aren’t a bad idea for night-time work. A few large candles can very easily illuminate a room, and they last a while. Less electricity is used, and you get a cozy atmosphere.
Heating and cooling your office is of the utmost importance. You can’t work when you’re cold or it’s swelteringly hot. This is why air conditioning and heating are your saving graces. However, if your insulation isn’t good, you’re not going to see the full benefit of proper heating or cooling.
In your office, it’s likely that the windows are the most likely culprits for heat leakage. Office should have high quality double glazed windows built-in right from the start. This prevents too much heat from leaking in or out, making the room more efficient. It also keeps the temperature uniform, so you don’t feel hot in other parts of the office while you feel cold closer to the windows.
Recycling & Repurposing
It’s important that you get yourself some ideal furniture for your home’s office. However, it’s not exactly environmentally-friendly to shop for new furniture, especially since most office pieces are made of plastic and similar materials. Since you don’t want your office to become a prime example of wastefulness, you’ll need to start thinking outside the box.
There are lots of ways to reduce your environmental impact as you shop for office furniture. Older pieces of wooden furniture are ripe for repurposing, and there’s nothing really stopping you from getting creative with your choices.
Old chairs and lamps can be upcycled and even improved. Check out your local flea market and see if there’s anything you like. Even if things look old, it won’t take more than a paint job to make them look ideal for your office. It takes very little effort, and you’ll get a lot in return.
Conclusion
Creating a comfortable and green office is something that requires a bit of planning and forethought. However, it’s perfectly feasible, even with limited resources. Introduce some of the above ideas to your home office and you’ll have everything you need for your perfect office.
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