Blog Post

Zen Home Office Design Ideas

Bret Carr • Sep 27, 2021

With so many people working from home, the right home office design can set the tone for your entire workday. These home office ideas will bring a sense of calm to your space as you navigate balancing your personal and professional life under one roof.

Here are some steps you can take to add a sense of focus to your new home office:

Keep the mess to a minimum
Feng shui your paint colors
Reduce stress with plants
Invest in a great computer chair
Keep distractions down

Purposeful design changes to your office will signal you're in a dedicated work area and you aren't just adding a desk to your spare bedroom. Keep reading to see how to bring some zen into your workday.

Keep The Mess to a Minimum

The Huffington Post recently detailed why clutter is so bad for people with anxiety. Your environment can have a strong effect on how you feel and how you behave. A disorganized home office doesn't signal productivity. Keep your messes to a minimum in your new space. To create good "balance and energy" you will need to "clear the clutter," quotes the experts at HGTV.

Once the clutter is gone, you can begin to envision exactly what your home office vibe will be. Through the Buddhist practice known as Zen, which emphasizes tranquility, simplicity, and mindfulness, you can focus on the tasks at hand, reduce stress and create a positive work environment...all from your home.

Feng Shui Your Paint Colors

Your new home office should be a place of zen-like tranquility. The New York Times explains that certain paint shades help stimulate your brain. For example, lighter tones promote a soothing feeling, while darker colors encourage creativity.

Forget boring beige! Instead, use feng shui colors to guide your choice. Blues and greens inspire growth and energy. Think the deep blue of the ocean or the lush green of trees. Or if you prefer more neutral colors, go with a yellow, brown, or rustic orange. These earthy tones will remind you to reconnect with Mother Nature and ground you as you work.

But, don't leave out purple. Purple? Yes, in feng shui purple is the color of abundance. A pop of purple in a pillow can add a touch of sophistication to any space. But most of all, select colors that inspire you!

Reduce Stress with Plants

Better Homes & Gardens revealed a recent study in Japan that discovered that placing a plant on your worksurface can help reduce stress. Pick a plant that appeals to your inner gardening goddess and put it on your desk. Take a few minutes a day to appreciate its beauty and simplicity and know that while you do, you are decreasing your heart rate and anxiety level.

Don't have a green thumb? Hit a local greenhouse and buy a cactus to sit beside your computer monitor. They really are hard to kill, and you'll still get all the effects of a houseplant with less work.

Invest in a Great Computer Chair

Since you will be spending at least eight hours a day in your new home office, you will need a comfy chair to sit in. HGTV advises that you do not scrimp on this item. Some chairs even come with built-in massage panels to help maintain that zen-like relaxation atmosphere.

Whether your chair is leather, fabric or a big bouncy ball, it should complete the aesthetic your home office is trying to achieve.

Keep Distractions Down

Everyone dreams of working from home; the commute is short, you can show up in your pajamas, and coffee breaks don't require mixing with your co-workers. However, just as your former cubicle had distractions, so can your home office.

Bob Villa gives these suggestions on how to soundproof your office in order to reduce noise levels, so you can concentrate and be a good worker bee. First, invest in a solid wood door. While hollow doors are inexpensive, they also let sound through. Check out antique stores and look for a door from your grandparent's time. You'll be repurposing (yay, recycling) and solid wood blocks noise to a manageable amount.

Second, install a door sweep. It will actually dampen the sound that might sneak in under the door. Third, add a throw rug if you've got hardwood or tile in the room. You don't need wall-to-wall carpeting but instead, buy a couple of thick throw rugs to "absorb harsh noises." Plus, you can coordinate your feng shui color scheme into the rugs as well.

Lastly, consider purchasing a white noise machine for those days when your focus is most needed. Instead of the traffic outside your window, think of listening to rain falling or the soothing sounds of the ocean as you complete your project.

Conclusion

Whether you work full-time from home, or just use your office for paying bills, you deserve a room that spurs creativity. An ill-conceived space put together without thought or purpose inhibits your ability to focus and reach a zen-like level of inner peace.

Although this may take a little time, money, and effort, the perfect home office can reduce your stress level, promote productivity, and give a zing to your creative juices while promoting a sense of calm and wellness.