Decorating & Design
How To Create A More Mindful Office Space While You Work From Home
Published on June 9, 2020
Kelly Robinson knows a thing or two about creating a zen workspace. The Chicago-based designer has, after all, brought the offices of companies like Airbnb, SoundCloud and Headspace to life with her holistic approach to design. From alleviating clutter to decorating with fresh foliage, Kelly’s spaces offer a deeper connection to your inner self. Did we mention she’s also a world-traveled yogi and dedicated environmentalist? “Anyone who has a yoga or meditation practice has learned that there is always somewhere deeper to go,” says Kelly in her new design guide, Where Spirit Meets Space. “The same is true for aligning our lives and homes with the cycles of nature.”
We’ve rounded up a handful of tips from Kelly’s guide to transform your current work-from-home office into one that considers your productivity, well-being and the background for your Zoom meetings.
Look to nature. “Because we are creatures of nature, it makes sense that we feel more at home in spaces that contain the elements found in nature,” says Kelly. These natural elements, that ultimately create a balanced, harmonious space when used together, include earth, fire, water, metal and wood. In this stately home office by designer Montana Burnett, an envelope of mahogany built-ins and paneling (wood) warm up a cool blue metal-based swivel chair (water and metal), while a handsome stone-surround fireplace (earth and fire) grounds the space.
Create balance. Spending more time in a space that masterfully mixes both feminine (ying) and masculine (yang) energies is known to improve alignment. “To bring more elements of yin into your space, you can add anything round, curved, circular or organic in shape,” says Kelly. “To increase the yang energy in your space, it often helps to focus on what you can remove. Yang elements are clear countertops, hard surfaces, closed cupboards and empty spaces. You can also add tall or towering plants, bright lights, bright colors and fire elements to increase the yang energy in your space.”
Practice essentialism. This doesn’t mean tossing a ton of your belongings. Instead, pick up each object in your workspace and ask yourself if it’s been touched in the last month. If not, perhaps it’s time to part ways or re-allocate it to a space where it’ll be more cherished. “Consider how you feel when stepping into a yoga studio,” says Kelly. “When you clear away the things that you don’t truly love, your spirit can take up more space and you’ll feel much more free.”
Display art and photos that speak to you. Do photographs from a past trip open a floodgate of good memories? Is there a quote that inspires you every time you read it? Do yourself a favor and hang these positive reminders on the wall. Kelly’s advice: “It is important that we update them regularly and make sure they maintain deep relevance to our lives.”
Always add greenery. Kelly believes that plants bring an uplifting dose of life-affirming greenery to our spaces. Create a windowsill garden to add fresh herbs to your desk salad, enliven shelves with plant pots or, if you’re in the mood to splurge, invest in an über-trendy olive tree to spruce up your Zoom meeting background.
Allocate your work zone to a bright area. Lighting has long been linked to mood and productivity, so it’s no secret that setting up a workstation near a window will do wonders for you. But before you get too cozy in your favorite sunny spot, consider how your space receives light in the morning, afternoon and evening — and when you need it most.
Give yourself room to get creative. “Sometimes our creations are tied to our career, and some are hobbies we pursue for the pure joy of it,” says Kelly. “Designing a space that can hold your most creative self … even a small corner will do.” Something as simple as curating a mood board for your next decorating project or putting paint brush to canvas during your lunch break can make for a nice change in scenery and get creative energy flowing in your space.