Nature at work

The work from home space has become an integral part of home life over the last few years but it is all too often an overlooked opportunity to boost wellbeing.

We all know important an ergonomic chair is and having a computer screen at the right height but there are some remarkably simple biophilic design techniques which can further support wellbeing while we work. Whether you work from home full time, follow hybrid work patterns or indeed are back in the office full time read on for some simple ways to make your space work harder to support you.

Using the principles of Biophilic Design, any workspace can be improved with a few simple steps. In studies, workspaces with added elements of/ connection to nature have been shown to:

• increase wellbeing by 15%

• improve productivity by 6%

• uplift feelings of creativity by 15%

(Source: Human Spaces Report 2015)

These are significant numbers and with some quite simple tweaks to the places we inhabit for our working day you can help maximise your space to boost your wellbeing at work.

Desk Position

Working in natural light with easy access to fresh air are key ingredients in creating a comfortable working environment. An open window can bring fresh air in, let toxins out while you can also hear the birds, feel the breeze, and observe the passing of the seasons. Being able to control air flow and temperature to suit your personal comfort needs is the ideal scenario. A desk placed under (or near) a window is optimal for soaking in as much natural lights as possible, especially important during winter months. Having the opportunity to rest your eyes and look out of a window for a moment really helps maintain focus through your working day.

It is not always possible of course to position your desk under or close to a window, especially in an open plan office. In a home office consider using a mirror to reflect a view which will help you feel connected to the outside world. If there is no window or view, position artwork around you that features nature-based imagery such as a woodland scene photograph, a landscape painting or botanical print. If this artwork is somewhere special or significant to you, it is all the better for enhancing your working experience by connecting you to a favourite place/space you feel an emotional attachment too. This image can be the calm you need to rest your eye upon during a busy working day. Having nature inspired art (when you cannot see the real thing) helps to soothe the brain and create a momentary respite from flickering screens.

Plants

Sharing any space with plants is proven to be beneficial for your health, so your workspace should not be forgotten. Plants give you a direct connection to nature, making your working space feel more alive and dynamic. Plants also work extremely hard for humans, some of these leafy benefits include:

• They function as natural air purifiers, improving indoor air quality by removing toxins and pollutants.

• They help boost productivity.

• They lower stress and anxiety which helps regulate our nervous system.

• They boost creativity and clear thinking.

Plants make a wonderful acoustic screen. If you work from home in an open plan/multi-functional living space or in an office, screening your work area with plants is an effective way to create some privacy and a sense of separation. To help reduce acoustic reverberation place large leaved plants in the corners of room as this will help soften sounds bouncing off sharp corners– especially effective in open plan spaces.

Storage

When it comes to an efficient home office space storage is a top priority – especially when your workspace is integrated into a part of your home that is a multi-functional living space too. Work clutter is a distraction and can make a stressful environment to work in. Making storage a priority when designing a home work space helps keep the mind clear for focused work tasks. There are much more stylish freestanding storage units available now that don’t look obviously office-like, such as these tonal green metal lockers in the stylish home of British furniture designer Jo Coe (aka @century_home_ on Instagram).

If you work from home full time and want to really maximise every inch of space, consider the built-in option. Estate agents are now saying that a well-appointed home office space is a real selling point for buyers. For inspiration look no further than the home of interiors stylist and colour consultant, Sarah Doyle (aka @retwiggdstylist over on Instagram).

Sarah has brought her signature style of bold colours, nature inspired art and vintage finds to her creative home work space. Not only do her built-in cupboards maximises every inch of space but shows just how beautiful and colourful workspace can be. Don’t be afraid to use colour to really personalise your home office too. With rich tones of pink, plants galore and a place for everything, Sarah has the ultimate balance of style v practical storage solutions.

Natural Materials

If you have the choice, always opt for a solid wood desk. When you spend prolonged periods at a desk, being able to touch a natural material helps keep you connected to nature, and in studies, real wood has been found to relax the brain, leaving more brain power free to work on other functions.

Research has also shown having real wood in our homes helps to reduce and regulate blood pressure. Real wood also adds a warmth and texture that will make your working environment much more comfortable. Wood is natural, tactile, and soothing, and nobody ever waxed lyrical about the properties of MDF.

Choosing solid wood does not have to be an expensive choice either with so many great opportunities to recycle and reuse. I picked up a small pine kitchen table to use as my home office desk for £35 from Facebook marketplace. I found a large pine kitchen table to use as studio desk from Mitchells Auctions for the bargain price of £60, with a little DIY (I stripped the top and painted the legs) I now have the table of my choice without a hefty price tag while reusing an old piece of furniture.

If your workspace had hardwood or tiled floors add a natural fibre rug (or choose wool for fitted carpets). A natural fibre is the first choice for a warming solution to connect your workspace to nature while minimising any toxins from synthetic fibres.

Time Out from Tech

The blue lights from devices can play havoc with our natural circadian rhythms. If you spend a lot of your day on a computer (especially on highly focused tasks) it is important to take a break and create time for respite from your screen. During the darker months (or when working late) when you work at your screen while its dark outside, change the settings to nighttime mode, this uses an amber screen tone during dark hours. This amber tone helps protect your eyes and help reduce the negative effects on your natural body clock. Blue light tricks the brain into believing it is still daylight which stops the production of melatonin, which in turn affects sleep patterns.

Creating a comfortable refuge that is away from your desk can really help break up your working day, this reduces task fatigue and helps you feel more invigorated when you do return to your desk. Modern offices space designed with the wellbeing of staff in mind will have a staff break out space to achieve just this.

If your home office has a dedicated room, consider creating a comfortable seating space just like digital interiors creator Laura Cave (aka @lauracavehome on Instagram) has done in her home. Laura has added a comfortable chair at one end of her home office to create a cosy reading space. Having this softer space makes a great option for different workday tasks like taking a break from your screen to read a document or make notes, enjoy a coffee break or a lunchtime spot all of which help you break up the time you sit at a desk.

When we do work from home it means we can indulge in more creature comforts by having the space to relax while working helps avoid too much task fatigue. If your workspace is in a guest bedroom, consider giving the bed more of a “day bed/sofa” appearance with extra cushions and a blanket.

Fragrance

Fragrance is an often-overlooked element in a workspace design. Fragrance is a crucial part of my life (which is why I began FERN+FELL ) and a tool I use to help my mental wellbeing. The right fragrance for the task at hand helps me feel balanced – to stay focused yet relaxes me. I use pure and natural essential oil aromatherapy candles to help boost my mood while working. Be sure to use only natural fragrances and candles made with 100% natural ingredients to avoid bringing any unwanted nasty chemicals in. Fragrance is of course highly personal, but my recommendations would be:

During the day - select energising citrusy fragrances, these help you feel uplifted and energised.

Highly focused tasks – use a fragrance containing rosemary which is known to aid focus, promote recall and memory. Rosemary has been used to aid focus and thought since the Greek scholars wore rosemary crowns.

Evenings – opt for warmer florals, woody and spicy fragrances to help create the balance between focus and relaxation. I would avoid lavender scents during the evening in a workspace as these may be too relaxing if you need to stay focused.

Connecting all our senses to nature, including smell is a much-overlooked design technique and one which really boosts overall wellbeing. Fragrance may be a design element best suited to the home office rather than shared workspaces unless all colleagues can agree upon a mutually appreciated scent.