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Greener is greater! Making sure your home office is a sustainable haven is an emerging necessity in today's interior design. From top to bottom, it's easy to integrate eco-friendly aspects into your workspace. Remember that it's OK to only follow a guideline or 2. Every effort matters, even if you aren't completely diving into a fully-sustainable space.

Start With Packaging

No matter how your furniture arrives, it will be packaged or protected in some way. From freight-delivered to ready-to-assemble pieces, the packaging may be made from different materials. Avoid plastic or foam wrapping, Styrofoam, packing peanuts, and other plastics when possible. Corrugated cardboard or molded paper solids are excellent alternatives that can be just as effective. Brands that focus on being eco-friendly will note their initiative, so pay attention to these pleasant disclaimers.

Prioritize Sustainable Materials

Even if it isn't always possible, it's important to prioritize materials that are sustainably harvested, easy to recycle, or free from finishes that make it difficult to recycle. Many solid wood products cannot be recycled by traditional means, such as curbside recycling, due to treatments, coatings, or paint. Laminates and MDF are equally difficult to recycle. Find dedicated programs through your recycling center to take advantage of material-specific recycling.

Metals—even aluminum—are often powder-coated or finished in a way that makes recycling difficult. As a rule of thumb, try to disassemble furniture as best as possible and take a visit to your closest recycling center. If you can, hold on to screws, nuts, and bolts to reuse them for other projects.

A Little TLC Goes a Long Way

The more care you put into your furniture, the less waste you'll introduce into the world. Learn how to best clean different materials (hint: a little bit of mild dish soap in a bucket of water can work wonders on many surfaces) to ensure they stay looking just as good as the day you brought them home. Invest in quality furniture to extend your length of use, and look for finishes, such as high-pressure laminate, that are made to last.

Look for Timeless Trends

As you're shopping, look for pieces that can blend in with trending décor styles. As styles come in and out of fashion, your furniture shouldn’t be replaced repeatedly. Especially if you're shopping for well-made, sustainable furniture, it's best to ensure that you won't have to constantly replace these costly pieces. Basic silhouettes are always a sure shot, but finishes are often a topic of trend. The more neutral and agreeable, the better.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

When your existing furniture has run its course, there's a wealth of ways to extend its life to reduce waste. If you need to dispose of it, there are always eco-friendly ways to make sure you're recycling as much of it as possible:

Repurpose in Another Area

When your desk has run its course, think if you have any other uses for it. Could it become a work surface in a downstairs workroom or a storage shelf in a shed? If you're feeling ambitious, there's no shortage of upcycling tutorials online to give your pieces a new look and life.

A Second Chance Somewhere Else

Whether you're using an online marketplace like Facebook or Craigslist or donating your pieces to a charity, finding a second life for your furniture is a great way to reduce waste. Even if it's older or of poor quality, furniture rehabbers are often willing to make a project out of older solid pieces. Less expensive RTA furniture may find a second home at a low price or free exchange.

Recycle the Right Materials

Look at the different parts of your desk, chair, or other furniture piece and determine if any of the components are recyclable. Because regional recycling programs differ, consult your local waste management authority for information on how to best recycle different types of laminate, manufactured wood, textiles, and more. You might even be able to find specific recycling programs that will disassemble and properly recycle your components for you.

 

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Sixteen Super Simple Upgrades for Your Home Office

16 Super Simple Upgrades for Your Home Office

The happier you are with your workspace, the happier you will be during your workday. An exciting, energizing workspace is easier to attain at home where you have fewer rules on office décor and can be ambitious with your aesthetic. Here are a few simple, affordable, and fast upgrades you can make to immediately adore your home office.

1. Go One by One

If you don't have the money for a costly home office overhaul, start by gathering inspiration for your finished look and work a timeline into your monthly budget. It's quite costly to get an entire new office furniture suite, but saving up to buy a chair, a pedestal, a desk, etc., can be just as rewarding.

2. Define Day and Night Vibes

If you're using a workspace that shares a room with your bedroom or another often-used space, find ways to differentiate how the room feels during the workday and after it ends. Use an essential oil diffuser to have a "workday" scent for just those working hours, or put hue-changing bulbs on a timer to make sure there's a shift in tone after your work shift ends.

3. Whistle While You Work

If you're the type of person with a workday soundtrack or a penchant for podcasts, think about stepping up your room's audio system for something a little stronger. If you're trying to stay quiet for others around you, a nice pair of headphones can be both noise-canceling and a welcome increase in quality for your tunes or otherwise.

4. Go Green

Fresh foliage can instantly bring your workspace to life! Be sure to pick out plants that match your indoor gardening skill level, amount of sunlight, and climate to make sure that you and your plants will both stay happy.

5. Feel Good, Look Good

When picking out an upgrade, remember the place ergonomics plays in the modern workday. Go for style alongside substance as you choose chairs in particular. The prettier the piece, the less equipped it might be—especially at a lower price point. Splurge on items that help with your posture to get an attractive look with a lot of comfort.

6. Change-Ready Customizations

If you're always ready to hop on a trend, choose easy-to-customize items with replaceable components that don't require buying an entirely new piece. This can be as simple as a slipcover for an accent couch, removable contact paper on your desktop, or a swappable rug topper that adds easy machine washability as well.

7. Love Your Lighting

It's already difficult to enjoy the ambient lighting of a shared office, especially at a larger corporate headquarters, with outdated overhead lighting. At home, small desk lamps, task lighting, standing lamps, and other relaxing ambient setups can make your workday shine, especially if you don't have a lot of natural light in the room.

8. The Sky Is the Limit

Taking advantage of underutilized vertical space is a quick way to add storage and décor. Floating shelves, a tall bookcase, or a corner unit can take advantage of this oft-ignored real estate. You can even use a series of small baskets to add concealed storage for small supplies.

9. Make It Make Scents

Curate fragrances that complement your space and enhance your workday. Bright, energetic citruses and light florals are energy-building options. Stay away from heavy, sleepy smells and overpowering aromas.

10. Do Double-Duty

If you have a dedicated workspace, consider its utility and whether or not it can do double-duty with another area. On the off-hours, a home office can be shared with a middle or high school child to be used as a homework hub, outfitted with a separate workspace for arts and crafts projects, or made into a makeshift music space for instrument enthusiasts to practice within. The options are endless.

11. Switch It Up

Add a second "workspace" to your home office so you can quickly and temporarily work from another peaceful locale. This can be as quick and easy as a C-shaped pull-up table over a lounge chair or a lap desk that can go with you to another area of the house.

12. New Pens, New Stuff

The home office isn't bound by what the office admin ordered for the supply closet. Every staple supply—even staplers—comes in a variety of fun colors and finishes. A sleek new pen cup, desktop organizer, and all the accouterments can give you a new vibe without a big commitment.

13. Like, Really New Pens

It might be a strange take, but fountain pens are are old-school pens with new-school style. Fun inks, colors, wacky designs, and personal flair make shopping for pens an adventure and opens up a community of people who are big fans of this esoteric office supply.

14. Do the Trend; Use the #Inspo

It may seem impulsive to follow a trend you saw on TikTok or Instagram, but these fleeting ideas are often the work of inherently creative people who aren't paid experts. Lean into this easy advice, and don't be afraid to ask influencers or creators questions.

15. Gone Fishing

Bringing an office buddy to your workday is a quick but committed pick-me-up. Even the common goldfish or single betta fish require more care than a simple fishbowl, so consider proper care before deciding if this idea is for you.

16. Try, Try Again

Sometimes you'll try a strategy and just won't like it. Don't be afraid to tear it down and start again if you're not in love with your changes. These are all simple tips, designed to be easy and more affordable than a large overhaul.

 

The Power of Paint in Office Spaces

The Design Guide for Painting Your Office

The shade of paint you choose can make or break a space. The all-around wrong color, clashing accents, mismatched lighting, and myriad reasons can create a disaster that's all-surrounding during the workday. As you choose your color palette for your home office or corporate workspace, consider the factors that go into a great color scheme that becomes the foundation for a great workspace.

Corporate Offices

It doesn't matter if you're a small business or a corporate giant—designing a professional office space is less about one's personal taste and more about what's best for everybody. Sure, this sounds like it might be a bit restrictive, but that doesn't make any of your choices any less meaningful.

Consult a Professional 

An educated and experienced interior designer will have a wealth of knowledge and recommendations for your space. There's no harm in reaching out to a person who's used to finding the right fit; in the long run, it's worth it. Especially if you're painting multiple rooms, a designer or planner will know how to tell a visual story that compliments your entire office.

Try Before You Buy

No matter who is calling the shots, paint samples are vital to better understand your choices. While conventional paint chips might help, if larger swatches are available, take advantage of them.

No-Brainer Neutrals 

Your primary color will probably be a variation of off-white, light gray, or a faint taupe, and that's not just OK—it's advisable. These no-nonsense colors are tried and true, though they're not as harsh as a bright white.

Agreeable and Accessible 

Be mindful of different employees' needs that may be applicable now or possibly down the road. For instance, colorblindness can affect the way a person perceives bolder accents. People with visual impairments may need an emphasis on bright spaces and proper lighting. Even if this doesn't apply to your current staff, looking toward the future is never ill-advised.

Different Space, Different Mood 

The open office isn't the only space worthy of consideration. Think about how your paint choices tell a story throughout the office, and aim for a cohesive experience that won't distract employees or guests. Be particularly mindful of your reception area. For workers, it's symbolic of the start of the business day, but for guests, it's necessary to make a great first impression with tasteful design.

Acceptable Accents

If you have a big room, it's a given that you have big walls. If you're trying to add an accent wall, avoid doing so on any wall close to employee desking. Entryways, nooks, or infrequently used spaces can benefit from an accent that doesn't overwhelm you. Especially in a main space, consider using your company's colors to offset the ubiquitous neutrals.

Consider Your Upholstery

Are you designing your color palette around your furniture, or are you designing your furniture around your palette? Make sure all choices are well-coordinated, and you're not pairing cool and warm tones that will clash and distract. Be mindful of upholstery on seating or even on cubicle panels.

Creative Conference Rooms

Especially if your business has a plethora of conference rooms, this is a great opportunity to get creative with your color schemes and furniture choices. While you'll certainly want to reserve one as a highly professional space, use smaller collaboration areas to choose interesting colors or out-of-the-box furniture without committing to a large space.

The VIP Treatment

Allow incoming leaders to personalize their private office. Use a wall that isn't completely occupied by large furniture as an accent wall. When one person leaves and another person moves in, ask them what color they'd like it painted. It's a personal touch that won't break the bank or take up too much time.

Home Offices

There's a big difference between an office designed by you, for you and a multiperson office that needs to appeal to all. While you have a lot less space but a lot more flexibility, several considerations can still improve productivity, increase energy, and promote workday wellness.

Push the Boundaries of Neutral

Eggshell, ivory, and alabaster are played out shades of off-white that can stay in the past. In the home and the home office, neutral color palettes can play with different shades of gray and taupe. More daringly, a pastel palette can create a peaceful atmosphere in your workspace that's far from drab.

Invigorate With Paint

If you're trying to create a high-energy space, ditch the neutrals and pastels and embrace bolder, more stimulating colors. If your space allows, use a combination of palatable neutrals and exciting hues for accent walls or details.

Dark Colors Aren’t Dull

For some, dark paint colors can make a room feel serious or studious, which may be what you're going for. If this fits your personality, don't shy away from working with deeper tones to get the right look. If you're working within a small space, try to mix dark and light colors on different walls to keep the space from feeling too cramped.

Avoid Antagonistic Colors 

As you work your way through the rainbow, there are a few less-advisable colors to avoid. For instance, reds are known to inspire anger and intensity. 

Add Accents

Accent colors aren't just reserved for accent walls. Baseboards, molding, fixtures, and other odds and ends are often painted. If you're going to deviate from your wall colors, make sure that you pay attention to these bonus colors so that they don't stand out negatively.

Let There Be Light

If you're lucky, your at-home workspace will benefit from natural light. Even when the sun goes down, there are still major considerations with what lighting you use. Whether overhead lighting or dedicated task lighting, choose light bulbs that fuel your mood. Some people enjoy brighter blue-toned bulbs while others benefit from softer, more docile tones. Not sure? Your smartphone can control many digital light bulbs to find the perfect balance.

Think Long-Term 

We perceive color differently as we age. If you're designing for the long haul, go with a color and design scheme that will be pleasing as you advance. This is particularly true if you're putting together an office for an elderly person. If you've got multiple occupants, collaborate on your palette to ensure it's pleasant for everyone.

 

Enhance Your Workday with Office Exercises

Many employees spend more than 8 hours at their workstations each day, eliminating the time that could be spent at the gym, running through the neighborhood, or committing to other physical wellness tasks. These simple workday exercise options may not be particularly rigorous, but they’re great for getting the blood flowing in the body, all without a gap in workday productivity.

Bring the Gym to Your Desk

Convenient exercise equipment comes in all shapes and sizes. Some items, such as stretchy bands that can anchor beneath your desk or chair's leg, can give you the ability to squeeze in a few resistance exercises throughout the day. Small hand or ankle-mounted weights can give you a quick way to do basic exercises passively while you're off-camera during a meeting.

For the more die-hard, under-desk elliptical machines are an option to keep your legs moving throughout the workday. These seated solutions are a quiet and subtle way to mix your workday with your workout.

Take a Stand

Adjustable-height desks and active seating are movement-friendly solutions and posture savers. Active seating often involves fidget-friendly solutions designed for adults that need some external stimulation. Gently rocking stools, wobbling ottomans, and round-bottom standing stools are designed to work your core and promote healthy movement throughout the day. Similarly, standing engages your core, and a sit/stand solution is ideal for those who aren't settled on either style.

Work(out) Well With Others

Forego a stop at the watercooler and opt for a quick walk around the building with a coworker. You'll build accountability by including another on-site employee in your wellness journey while also satisfying the need for social interaction during the workday. You can do as little or as much as you'd like. Invite a diverse group of coworkers from different parts of the building to take part in lunch walks, yoga sessions, or other activities to add a more concerted wellness-focused break to your workday. You can also do these activities before or after work to accommodate schedules.

Workday-Ready Exercise Equipment

While less common than their sit/stand counterparts, treadmill or training bike desks are an option for those who need a little more workout during the workday. 

If you're working from home, try planning a fun DIY to make a fitness-friendly solution that works with your existing treadmill or stationary bike setup. Not all treadmills are created the same. Look online at the oodles of available DIYs on YouTube, blogs, and social media sites to find a tutorial that closely matches your treadmill. 

Remember that you'll want to make sure you have added as many beneficial safety features as possible to keep yourself and your equipment safe. Anti-slip pads for your laptop or peripherals, well-secured straps, and high-quality materials will ensure that your treadmill desk adds health and not hazard to your workday.

 

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