ARTICLE
How to create a home office that soothes the senses
February 6, 2024-3 min read
Whether you’re working at a small desk in the corner of your living room or a large dedicated home office with a laptop and screen, you can create a calm and stylish space by engaging all five of your senses. By thinking about the sight, taste, touch, smell and sounds of your home office, you’ll not only boost endorphins but increase productivity, too.
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Sight
An office that looks good, feels good. When you walk into your home office or sit down at your desk to start the day, your sense of sight should be instantly engaged to send signals to your brain that this is a happy and creative place to be. Consider painting your workspace in a calming hue or jump online to find inspiration for colour palettes, layouts, desks, shelving and office chairs with good support to suit your personal style. Customise with indoor plants, books, posters, artwork, inspirational quotes and desk accessories that brighten your day.
If you’re working on an old desktop or laptop, now might be the time to consider updating or adding a new or second monitor to modernise your space and make working easier. The HP 23.8" Pentium Silver J5040 8GB 256GB Win 11 AIO desktop computer features a crystal-clear display with 178-degree wide-viewing angles and a vibrant 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Whatever you choose, make sure your screen is in the right position. “When you’re looking at a computer all day, it’s really important to have your monitor at the correct height and distance from where you’re sitting or standing,” says Jason Tavoletti, Tech buyer at The Good Guys. The top of your monitor should be slightly above eye level so that your chin is tilting downwards, and the screen should sit about 50cm away to avoid eyestrain. You’ll also want to avoid glare on your screen, so make sure there isn’t a window throwing light onto it from behind. Accessories such as USB hubs will keep cords organised and out of sight for an uncluttered desk space.
“Customise with indoor plants, books, posters, artwork, inspirational quotes and desk accessories that brighten your day.”
Taste
It can be hard to resist walking to the pantry for a quick break and snacking on biscuits or other treats when you’re working from home. Instead, try switching on the kettle and drinking calming teas with flavours known to boost productivity, including peppermint, ginger, turmeric and green tea. Along with their health benefits, these herbal teas are also known for increasing energy levels and helping to improve focus.
The KitchenAid 1.7L Artisan Kettle includes a “keep warm” function so you don’t have to wait for it to boil when you’re ready for a refill.
Touch
Being aware of your physical wellbeing in your home office is of the utmost importance. “Make sure your desk and chair are at the right height for good ergonomics,” says Jason Tavoletti. When seated, your arms should be at a 90-degree angle to your desk and your legs at a 90-degree angle to the floor. Your back should also be straight and your head tilted slightly down. Alternatively, a standing desk is another great option that offers extra health benefits.
If you decide to continue sitting for all or most of the day, consider adding a massager to your chair, such as the Homedics Gentle Touch Gel Massage Cushion with Heat. It provides a heated massage and allows you to switch between two speeds or choose spot massage to focus on a particular ache or pain. Get massaged while you work? Yes, please!
Smell
Whether it’s the fresh scent of indoor plants or the gentle fragrance of essential oils, pleasant smells can have a big impact on your mood. Lovely aromas not only soothe the soul and create a welcoming workspace, but also help reduce stress levels and enhance productivity.
Essential oils that decrease fatigue and boost concentration include peppermint, sweet orange and lemon. The Ellia Harmony Cordless Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser - White delivers up to 8 hours of continuous run time along with a colour-changing light.
Sound
There’s no doubt that music is motivating, whether you’re listening to it at the gym, doing the housework or while you work. Playing laid-back tunes in your office on your home audio system will not only create an uplifting space, but also help get you through some of the more menial jobs on your to-do list.
If your home environment can get a little loud at times, noise-cancelling headphones such as the Bose QuietComfort Headphones block out background noise, allowing you to focus while getting into the groove.
There are so many ways to turn your office into a living, breathing, sensory space that makes working from home more enjoyable. Whether upgrading your home computer or smart speaker or printer, or simply looking to add some creature comforts, we have a huge range of products to suit your every need. Visit us in-store or online today.
