Creating an Office Space That Feels Like Home

No one likes a boring, lifeless workspace, but many of us still sit in one every day. Minimalism is the latest trend in modern office furniture and many want a neutral theme for longevity. However, this approach can leave you with a lifeless office design.

So, you want a space that feels like home? Start by bringing a little piece of home with you to work, whether it’s your favorite mug for your morning coffee, a colorful journal for notes, or my personal favorite, pictures of family and furry friends. As a new mom, nothing makes my office desk feel more like home than pictures of my baby girl. That smile brightens my day!

Color, Color, Color! Many work spaces are grey and dreary, so adding some color can make a difference in mood, focus, and stress throughout the day. Now, you could go crazy covering all the office cubicle walls with colorful fabric or paper, but that can be a little intense for your neighbors.

Here are a few of my tips on color: start on adding a little yellow to boost creativity and optimism. Warm colors like orange increase oxygen to the brain and red colors increase circulation. Cooler colors such as blue help you to focus, and neutral colors like green are easy on the eyes and a great color for your desktop background.

Next, accessorize! Fun picture frames, colorful vases for pens on your office desk, and funny or inspirational quotes all make a space reflect your personality and add warmth. Being a crafty person myself, I’m always drawn to pretty organizers and fancy folders. At OstermanCron, we use office furniture that inspires creativity and gives you flexibility to make it your own with lots of accessories.

Plants! Add a little life with plants. One of my favorites are the Dirtt modular walls which offer Breathe, a system that fills a wall with plants, adding color and a reminder of the outdoors when you’re stuck inside.

Lastly, Music! Who hasn’t caught their neighbor humming or dancing in their chair? Music has a big impact on mood and brings back happy memories. Listening to a soothing song when things get crazy or an upbeat tune when you need an afternoon pick me up also greatly help.

As an admin of OstermanCron’s Pinterest page, if you’re interested in seeing more ideas for creating a comfortable workspace, here’s some trendy styles that have caught my eye. I hope all of these pointers are helpful and give everyone some great ideas in creating an office space that feels like home!