For many of us, a home office is a dust-collecting space that can tease you and conjure up pangs of consciousness every time you walk by. Others may live at their desk most days doing everything from crafting emails to meeting with employees and clients at home. It is a place for hard work, lunch, a conference table and most importantly it should have all the elements YOU need for comfort and inspiration. A beautifully sleek utilitarian space that acts as a cohesive associate for your work and the rest of your home.

Often the first things that come to mind when designing your home office are functionality, organization and productivity, but stop for a moment to think about how your office makes you feel? You can actually optimize your workspace to give you more energy, motivation and promote well-being and that sounds like a very un-work like recipe for productivity if you ask me.

Think about all the times you’ve been watching a movie and you’ve seen the office of some big shot CEO. Then think about where his or her desk is orientated in their colossal office? 9 times out of 10 it would’ve been facing the door to the office and this is known as a “command position,” this setup puts you in a position of power over the entire space. Try doing this at home and if that not possible place a mirror in front of your desk so that you can view the entire space and spot anyone approaching.

Organization in your workspace and particularly on your desk allows energy to flow freely, while one piled with papers blocks this energy. That’s a clutter/ Feng Shui thing. However, you don’t have to be a feng shui type of person to know that a clutter-free workspace will make you feel better and be more productive.

There are so many studies out there that are pro indoor plants that their benefits are hard to refute. Some lushness in the office and some succulents or cactus on the desk can have a calming effect, de-stress you and also help clean the air. I’ve also read some research that shows that even a quick glance at the colour green connects you to a more creative thought process. Besides the benefits for body & soul, their aesthetic is so versatile with a myriad of structures at your fingertips and green symbolizes energy and new beginnings (another Feng Shui thing).

Finally, a well-lit workspace not only reduces eye strain but also helps you feel more awake. if your space doesn’t get a lot of natural sunlight, steer well clear of the hideous flicker of fluorescent lighting and try full-spectrum light bulbs that emulate daylight.