4 Ways To Master Thy Space During A Pandemic

Once an unfamiliar term has now become the ‘new’ norm as citizens from around the globe ‘work from home’ to help flatten the curve and overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. Working at home can be a lot more glamorous and pleasurable if you let your imagination run wild.

Studio In2

The year 2020 was poised to be like any other year where people from all over the globe gathered with family and friends in their respective countries to ring in the year with a display of fireworks and musical shows. In Malaysia, it was no different but three months into 2020 and Malaysia saw a rise in Covid-19 cases which prompted the government to impose Movement Control Order (MCO) from March 18 to June 9 in a series of phases.

At the start of MCO Phase 1, a blanket ban on all mass gatherings was imposed and in addition, business premises were ordered to close for the duration of MCO. This prompted most business owners to implement ‘work from home’ ideal to ensure employees’ health and safety is looked after without compromising their business.

Studio In2

So far, 2020 has been a year of learning. Malaysians and citizens all over the world have been introduced to a ‘new’ normal where social distancing, better hygiene etiquette, and work from home are practiced. These moves were put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

On the surface, the work from home concept seems so simple where all one has to do is to replicate their work routine and habits at home but it isn’t as easy as it sounds and some research revealed that many faced challenges to cope with the ‘work from home’ concept for they didn’t know how to kick start the process. If you’re new to working from home, you can set up your workspace to be safe and comfortable with these few tips.

Alvinterior Concept Sdn Bhd

IN UNISON WITH NATURE

It is hard to believe but it is true that plants can breathe life into a space, can improve your mood, and can inspire creativity so adding a spot of nature and greenery to your home office is a given. According to a research, by adding a green element to your office space, you can improve the air quality, reduce stress, reduce sickness, boost productivity and increase your comfort level.

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Texas A&M University conducted a study that showed the positive effects of greenery on our brains when problem-solving. They found that men and women were able to come up with more ideas and innovative solutions in workplaces where plants were present. If you don’t have enough light to sustain a potted plant, try just a few stems of fresh flowers. Not only does greenery make a space more aesthetically pleasing in general, but adding plants and flowers to spaces can instantaneously make any space feel cleaner. Because things in nature are constantly growing and changing, plants and flowers are an easy way to make any space feel new and fresh.

Whether you work from home or just need a space to prep for the week, your home office should be an extension of your personality because only then can you be fully functional without compromising on comfort and style.

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BRIGHT AND CHIRPY

Once you have a designated space all picked out, ensure that the space is airy, bright and chirpy and if possible try and make the most of natural light wherever possible. Many studies indicate that natural light improves an individual’s mood and productivity.

Latitude Design Studio

Positioning your work space or study area near a window lets natural light to stream in which makes your space brighter and chirpier and a window also allows you to let your tired eyes take a break and take in the view outside. If you do not have a lot of natural light to work with then consider ambient lighting that is diffused throughout the space or task lighting such as study lamp.

Box Design Studio

Goldfields Concepts Sdn Bhd

WORK THE RIGHT SHADE

Picking the right shades for your home office plays a pivotal role in giving the space a refreshed look and increasing your productivity and improving your mood. It is advised that when picking a hue for your home office or study room, you should pick a palette that resonates with you and not something that is trendy as some paint colours are believed to have psychological effects. A workspace is all about optimizing productivity so opt for colours that will keep you focused yet level headed.

EE Design Studio

The colours in your workspace should also inspire you and bring out the creativity within because your workspace becomes the place you spend most of the time within a day and you want to be happy staying in the room. For these reasons, select tones that you are happy to be around for long periods of time. Soothing, earthy colors like greens and blues evoke a feeling of calm if you are looking to reduce stress while light colors, such as warm whites, are great if you want to create a room free of distraction. If these fail, even a pop of color can brighten your mood and day.

The Grid Studio

Sachi Interior Design Sdn Bhd

A DESIGNATED SPACE

The perfect way to having a productive and successful work from home tenure is to have a suitable space in your home because sitting on the sofa or bed hunched over your laptop isn’t ideal. Therefore, you need to plan and create a professional and productive space because a dedicated space helps you set aside household distractions and focus on work. A designated space is also important to shift the mind from home to work mode and vice versa. The separation will also help you stay more organized and also means that you won’t have to completely clean up and put everything away every single day.