For years, there has been a growing trend with more organizations adding work-from-home flexibility into their business structures. This has offered a much more flexible and convenient way for employees to handle their day-to-day tasks while also allowing organizations to significantly broaden their talent pools.
However, while most employees jump at the idea of being able to work from home, staying productive when in a more personal and casual working environment isn’t always easy. This is where following different design principles into your at-home office can be a great way to elevate your remote working experience.
Applying Feng Shui in Your Home Office
Many people find that by applying the principles of Feng Shui – an ancient Chinese practice of optimizing energy (“chi”) flows – they can create a much more productive and peaceful working environment.
While there are several guiding principles of Feng Shui, they can be categorized into three primary pillars:
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Organizing and Decluttering Your Workspace – When trying to balance positive energy in your workspace – which helps to keep you calm and focused – clutter can significantly hinder its flow. This is why it’s important to keep your desk clear and make better use of storage locations in and around the office.
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Strategic Furniture Placement – While many people have their own preferences when it comes to furniture placement in their office, especially their desk, there are several dos and don’ts that feng shui outlines in this area. Concepts such as the “command position” for your desk stipulate that you should always point your desk towards an open entrance with your back to a solid wall. This increases your sense of security and helps you to feel more confident throughout the day.
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Incorporating Elements of Nature – Natural elements are foundational in feng shui and provide several benefits in a working space. Making use of plants, indoor water features, and even artwork portrays nature, which all have calming and grounding effects that can inspire creativity and productivity in a home office setting.
Design Principles for Better Productivity
When incorporating feng shui principles into your workspace, there are a variety of strategies you can apply:
Choose the Right Location
It’s important that you choose the right room to set up your working space. You’ll want to ensure you have a space with plenty of natural light away from areas that can easily distract you.
While desk placement is important in feng shui, you’ll also want to make good use of spaces with windows. Try to avoid having windows behind you, and instead, keep them in front of you or to the side.
Apply Color Psychology
The color palette you choose for your office space can also improve productivity. In feng shui, colors have special meanings and can be used to define your personality, professional goals, and general mood in several ways.
For example, blue and green colors represent calmness and focus in feng shui, while bright colors like red symbolize passion and energy, which can inspire more action throughout the day.
Make Use of Optimal Lighting
Although natural light is always the most preferred way of illuminating a working space, not all home offices can use it. Instead of using harsh artificial lighting, look for ways to mimic natural light wherever possible.
One way to do this is to use smart lighting fixtures that allow you to control the temperature of your lighting. This will help you stay focused throughout the day without hurting your eyes or causing headaches.
Regularly Declutter
Many people struggle with keeping their workspace organized when working from home. When you’re not held accountable for keeping your workspace organized – like in a commercial office setting – it can be easy to minimize the importance of a clean and organized space.
However, clutter can greatly impede the flow of positive energy in feng shui, leading to distractions and a general lack of productivity throughout the day. It’s important to prioritize having a regular maintenance routine at the end of each day or week to tidy up your working area and keep it organized.
Design a Space for Personal Growth
Your home office can be more than just a place for work. Make it a sanctuary for personal reflection and growth. Dedicate a corner for meditation, journaling, or even a space you can use when speaking with a counselor or therapist.
Incorporating elements of personal development into your workspace can contribute to your overall well-being.
Keep it Comfortable
Although it’s important to create an at-home working space that’s conducive to productivity, it’s also essential that you’re able to be comfortable throughout the day.
Decorate your space with a throw blanket or a comfortable cushion. This can add a touch of warmth and relaxation while not cluttering the space and making it feel messy. Having these small comforts can support your mental health and give you a positive association with the work you do.
Get More Out of Your At-Home Workspace
Staying productive while working at home doesn’t happen automatically – you need to create the right environment. By following various feng shui principles, you can stay productive throughout the day while still supporting your overall well-being.
Author Name:
Dr. Hannah Yang
About The Author
A visionary and healthcare entrepreneur by passion, Licensed Psychologist by training, Dr. Hannah Yang loves creating new possibilities in the world of mental health and wellness. Dr. Yang established Balanced Awakening in 2015 as a niche psychotherapy practice for women. As Balanced Awakening flourishes in Chicago, and soon Miami, she also loves to tap into her passion for design and Feng Shui to create fabulous environments for herself, her team, and clients.