Guest Blogger: Lana Hawkins
Working in a small claustrophobic space can be quite depressing and far from inspiring. However, most of us are not so lucky to be working in an enormous office full of light, so we try to make the most of what we have. How can we redesign our office space so that it seems bigger and brighter without demolishing a few walls or moving to a completely different place? Here are a few tips you can use to change your working environment so that you feel happier and more satisfied.
As White As Light
The first thing you have to think about is your background. In order for it to seem bigger, it has to be light, so make sure that you surround yourself with as much white as possible. As it reflects light, it will illuminate even those spaces that do not have enough or even any windows that would allow natural light inside. White has a calming effect on people, but if it feels a little bit cold to you, it is possible to incorporate a few details in brighter colors, but keep them minimal and not in more than two shades.
Curtainless Windows
When you think about your small office design and what are some of the decorative items you can put in it to make it more personal, avoid using curtains on your windows. As they barely let enough light as it is, closing them up will do you no good. However, if you still feel the need to cover the glass with something from time to time, shades are definitely a better choice.
Only the Most Essential
Whether you are redesigning your office in a company building or your home office, try not to go overboard with the amount of furniture items, especially some larger ones that take up too much space. Now, when you think about an office, you immediately imagine large computer desk and a big comfortable chair, but is it really necessary? Lately, standing desks have become much more popular, not only because they open up the room, but they also proved to be beneficial for your health.
No Hoarding Please
Nothing makes a room look smaller than all the clutter that you never find the time to clean up. So pick up the trash bin and start with throwing all the things that you do not need: old documents, pens that do not work anymore, and put everything else in its place. You will notice just how much bigger your desk looks, and the entire office will seem more spacious at the same time.
Perks of the 21st Century
Finally, the good thing is that that we are living in a digital age so you can save all of your important documents without using large filing cabinets. You can have them all on your computer, tablet or an USB stick, and not only does it save you a lot of office space, this way it will be much easier for you to manage all the important paperwork.
Working in a small and depressing office can affect the pace, as well as the quality of your work in an extremely negative way. If you are not comfortable in it and you feel like it is suffocating, do not get devastated, as there are numerous ways in which you can make it look bigger, happier and more inspirational.
About Author: Lana Hawkins is a student of Architecture from Sydney, Australia. Also, she is a regular contributor to Smoothdecorator. She loves writing about home decor, but her truly passion is landscaping and garden design. She enjoys cooking for her family and friends in her free time.
