We spend most of our time at work, yet many office blocks have workspaces that are dull and uninviting.  It’s well-documented that creating an inspiring office environment can boost staff morale and productivity, but how do you go about it?  One task to focus on is to make an office feel more homely and cozy.  This will make it a place where employees love to be and feel comfortable working all day and less mundane.  So how to make your workspace cozy?  Read on for some of the best tips including:

• Bringing natural elements into your workspace

• Add ergonomic designs

• Adding greenery for peace and calm

• Softening sounds with textiles

• Create a separate comfortable seating area for creativity

• Change up your walls and floors

• Spend money on good lighting

• Consider noise distractions

• Scent your office for inspiration, energisation or calm

Cozy office ideas: how to make your workspace cozy and inviting

Do you feel like your office space is too small and uncomfortable? Do the noise and other things around you make it hard for you to concentrate?  With a little work, you can transform your small, crowded office into a cozy office oasis where you can work in comfort and concentrate on your work.  A comfortable workspace is essential to the productivity and creativity of any business. Here are some tips to create your perfect office environment for coziness.

Desk plant

Bring natural elements into your office

Often when you think of office blocks and cubicles you imagine strip lighting, room dividers and white desks.  It’s boring and uninspiring.  Also, cold and lacking in any feelings of warmth.  Though the bog standard white office desk may have once served its mass-produced purpose, why not bring more colour and style into the office with a more natural style of desk?

Stuck for inspiration?  Waterfront Warehouse have some beautiful wooden desks that will make your office feel less clinical and more homely with the desk alone!

You don’t have to stop at the desk though.  There are many wooden desk accessories or other natural materials that can be used to make an office feel cozier such as monitor stands, pen pots, phone stands and more.

Indoor plant pots

Add ergonomic designs

If your office is uncomfortable and you leave with backache at the end of each working day then it isn’t going to be a cozy and comfortable place to be.  No matter how many aesthetically pleasing elements you bring in, you’re not going to want to spend time working if it quite literally makes you hurt!

There are numerous ergonomic designs for offices nowadays from standing desks to kneeling chairs to posture cushions and raised laptop platforms. Choose office furniture for health as well as its aesthetics to ensure you are most productive.

Swivel velvet chair

Add greenery to soothe the working soul

Another way to bring nature into the office to instantly make it feel cozier is through living indoor plants and office desk plants.  These not only add colour, texture and decor to your office space, but they can improve air quality and boost mood, so they should be a no-brainer when it comes to decorating any office space.  Your office space affects your work more than you think and adding plants can brighten your mood and make you more productive.  There are many studies proving this.

Choose low-maintenance plants such as succulents or cacti if you lack a green thumb. You'll feel more like a part of nature and have a calmer, more productive environment in your office if you add a few plants.

Faux leather chair

Bring textiles into the office

You don’t want to create a space that feels super clinical and sanitized like a hospital.  Well, you want it clean of course, but it doesn’t have to be so bland and bare.  It may seem strange for a workplace, but bringing textiles into the room can really improve your office space.  Think padded cushioned chairs, perhaps upholstered fabric office chairs that wouldn’t look out of place in a dining room!  There are so many options to choose from nowadays; different colours, fabrics and styles.  You can add a pop of colour with a chair, as well as a softer fabric that acts as an acoustic barrier too.  Add a colourful cushion to a chair and why not think of a rug too?  If each person has their own individual office then a rug can bring warmth into a room and prevent a room from feeling so echoey.

Armchair

Create a comfortable seating area away from the desk

If you have the space then add an extra seating area for relaxing when you need a break or for taking calls that is a separate area, away from your main desk.  An armchair in the corner, if space allows, complete with a cushion and a pouffe for relaxing and taking time to generate new ideas without the pressure of always sitting upright at your desk.  Some cool and inspiring office furniture that is out of the norm can create a positive mind for work.  Sometimes a relaxed mind is a creative mind, so spaces away from a computer and desk can be important.

A cozy seating area is just a great place to take a break during lunch or talk on the phone when you don't want to be at your desk. It'll also give you a place to have clients or other guests over.

Personalised pen pot

Add wall art and decor

Workspaces should be inspiring and tantalising to the mind.  Desk decor is a thing, so why not pretty up your desk so you have some interesting objects to look at throughout the day?  Remind yourself why you are striving for success at work with photos of your kids, partner or family members in a photo frame.

Add wall hangings in your favourite colours, or inspiring motivational quotes as posters to the walls.  The things on your walls will create an atmosphere that's either vibrant and energizing or calm and soothing - so choose wisely!

You've got this print

Change up your walls and floors:

Investing in new flooring and walls is a simple and inexpensive method to give your office a more homey feel. The sound will be muffled and the space will feel cozier with carpet or real hardwood floors that can be warm to the touch and look stylish too.

To make your space more inviting, paint the walls a soothing colour.  Soft blues, greys, and even gentle greens are all great colours for office spaces. You should choose a colour that encourages productivity and concentration while making you feel calm.

Office chair mat

Spend money on good lighting

Good lighting is one of the most important parts of a comfortable office. A cozy perfect office workspace is not just about the furniture. It's about the atmosphere, too.  

Fluorescent lighting can be intense and lead to eye strain, so avoid it wherever feasible. Instead, choose light sources that look softer and more natural. You can make a warm and welcoming space with lamps and LED lights.

If allowed, then you can even light a candle safely on your desk, contained of course, and pick a scent to inspire attention and focus.  It will also add a calming ambience from the flicker of the flame.

You need to have a good balance of natural and artificial light. Natural light is essential for your health and it also makes your space feel more inviting. When you're choosing lamps or overhead lights, make sure they are warm and soft in tone, rather than harsh and cold.

Wood and black desk lamp

Consider the noise distractions

The environment needs to be comfortable and free of distractions. Noise is one of the most common distractions in the workplace. Noise from other people, such as talking or typing, can cause stress and interrupt concentration. If noise is not at the right level, it can be distracting and make it difficult to concentrate on your work. As a result, noise is an important factor in creating a cozy workspace where employees are happy and productive.

The level of noise in your workspace should match your preference for silence or noise. If you prefer to work in silence, but you are in an open-plan office or have a lot of noise nearby then invest in some high-quality noise-cancelling headphones to block out the sounds which irritate and distract you.  This can be particularly useful if you work from home during half term when the kids are about!

If you prefer background noise or the hustle and bustle of the office then leave your office door open, or play the radio or TV so long as it won’t interrupt your concentration.

Energy candle

Scent your office

Aromatherapy is a popular way to create an environment that is not only comfortable but also calming. There are many different scents that can be used to create the desired atmosphere, and they all have different effects. For example, lavender is known for its calming properties, while peppermint can help with mental clarity. Citrus scents such as lemon or orange can be invigorating or energizing and star anise can be inspiring. Add some natural scents with essential oils or potpourri so that the air smells fresh and inviting.

Focus candle

Final word

It doesn’t matter whether you work at home or in an office space with many others, there are lots of ways to make your work environment feel cozy whether it’s a few simple additions to your desk or whether you have an entire office room to yourself which you can decorate.  

Feeling comfortable in your work environment will inspire you to want to spend time there and to get the job done!

To roundup, here’s how you can create a cozier workplace:

• Bring natural elements into your workspace

• Add ergonomic designs

• Add greenery for peace and calm

• Soften sounds with textiles

• Create a separate comfortable seating area for creativity

• Change up your walls and floors

• Spend money on good lighting

• Consider noise distractions

• Scent your office for inspiration, energisation or calm