Our surroundings impact every aspect of life – from the way we interact with loved ones to how we spend our leisure time and even how we sleep. Productivity is also massively affected by the environment we spend the most time in. Research suggests that clutter and interiors that appear too busy can have a profoundly negative effect on concentration and our ability to get things done.
If you’re looking for opportunities to make yourself a better work environment either at home or in office and accomplish the things that need to get done, you may want to consider an interior design change. Here are a couple of the improvements that have the power to deliver the most noticeable results.
Clutter-Free, Airy Spaces
Clutter is the number one thing that stands in the way of being more focused and more productive.
There are several ways in which clutter can impact productivity. These include serving as a distraction, reducing the ability to focus, curbing creativity and even causing some stress. Having too many things in your home or work space can “attack” the senses. Such a sensory overload makes it difficult for the brain to process information at the top of its capabilities.
So, if you have lots of stuff just sitting in your home without a purpose, the time has come to get organised.
Additional storage can be created through many smart approaches. Make use of the spaces that often remain under-utilised. Choose furniture pieces that have built-in storage. Instead of picking bulky cabinets, opt for open shelves. All of these storage units can maximise your ability to get organised without taking away from the available space.
You should also re-evaluate your interior design in every single element, even the smallest ones. Things that are purely decorative can make your space look too busy. It’s ok to feature an artwork or two. When carefully chosen and curated, art will become a focal point that speaks on its own. The trick here is to have a central piece or two. Many scattered, small and insignificant interior design elements aren’t going to serve their purpose and they’ll also lead to a mishmash of stuff just fighting for attention.
Also take a deep dive into removing clutter from your home with our article on the Marie Kondo method and decluttering your home for the new year.
It’s time to get acquainted with colour psychology – a very important interior design concept.
Colours have the immense power to affect our mood. Some are relaxing, some are energising. Some colours are conducive of creativity, some tones allow for more productive experiences within the respective space.
Blues and greens are great colours for those who want to be more productive. Research suggests these colours have a soothing effect. If you’re a person who gets stressed out easily, you’ll benefit from such a colour scheme.
Orange, yellow and red are energising colours. Just be careful with their usage as such tones can easily become aggressive and over-powering. Use them as accent tones and create a bit of balance with neutrals and more subdued palettes.
Comfy, Ergonomic Furniture
Furniture and appliance choices matter when it comes to productivity.
If you work behind a desk, for example, you need an ergonomic chair that’s going to provide enough support. Feeling uncomfortable and having to deal with a back ache will probably interfere with your ability to remain productive for prolonged periods of time.
The same philosophy should be applied to the selection of all other kinds of furniture. Just think about the spot where you’d like to be productive – the kitchen, the home office, the hobby room. Think of the elements that may lead to discomfort and distraction. Getting those eliminated will quickly produce a notable effect.
Just like clutter, the absence of natural light is a productivity killer.
Poorly lit rooms can start to feel depressing which can become a problem, especially if you need to remain in a certain space for extended periods of time to get a job done. Mental health and general well-being should be a big factor when it comes to designing for the home.
There are excellent lighting systems that create the right ambiance and also give you functional illumination.
Apart from getting those, however, consider opportunities to maximise natural light. It is your best friend when it comes to mood enhancement and improving your cognitive abilities.
Natural lights can be increased even in parts of the flat that don’t benefit from a large window. The strategic placement of mirrors is one simple approach that works really well. Mirrors reflect light, which is why they can direct brightness from one part of the flat to another. Light paint colours like white and beige on the wall can achieve a similar result.
The final idea is as simple as the other ones, maybe even easier to execute.
Plants in the home, and we mean real ones, is the easies thing to do to making a space feel more “alive” and exciting. Here is a guide to easy to care for plants you can start with. Research suggests that the presence of plants in offices helps workers deal with stress more effectively and concentrate better.
You don’t need capricious flowering plants to feel inspired and more productive. Many green plants look really beautiful and they require minimal care. These are the ones to consider if you don’t have a lot of gardening experience and you’re worried about keeping your productivity boosters alive.
These are just a few of the interior design tricks that can help you become more productive. Contact Home Guide if you’d like to learn a bit more about the other approaches or you’d want them to be executed in your living space.
