Creating a Healthy Space for Working and Living

If you aren’t one of the lucky ones who have a separate room that can be used as an office, try to create zones between workspace and living space. At the end of the working day, put as much as you can out of view. In an ideal world, that means closing the door of the spare room but if you live in a smaller space, it just means getting more creative! Remember that curtains aren’t just for windows and can be used as room dividers or instead of doors for wardrobes and cupboards. Click here to read more on how made to measure curtains can be used in different ways around your home.

From the moment you wake up, open your made to measure curtains and made to measure blinds to get as much natural light in as possible. With the clocks going back and everyone complaining about the dark evenings, it’s difficult to remember the brighter mornings! Use it to your advantage and enjoy some early morning natural light before you start your day. Contact us to learn more about our custom made motorised curtains and blinds, so you don’t even have to get out of bed to let that light in!

During the day, stay as natural as possible when it comes to the lighting. Sit next to a window if possible and use mirrors to reflect natural light into the room. There are lots of tricks to soak up nature!

No, not that lit! Lighting is more important than you think. Bad lighting causes eye strain, headaches and wrinkles! Like everything in life, one size normally doesn’t fit all, rather it’s about striking a balance. Lighting in work spaces should mimic natural light as much as possible so this means using cold light. This includes areas of the house where work, domestic or otherwise is generally done, like the kitchen. Lighting in living spaces like the sitting room should be relaxing and easy on the eyes, so it’s better to use warm coloured light bulbs. This is why there are usually different light sources in people’s homes. Ceiling lights for general light, table and floor lamps for task or ambient lighting to set a comfy, cosy mood and desk lights for work purposes. If you are right handed, place your desk lamp behind your screen to the left and vice versa.

As creatures of habit, we take comfort in having routines. Get up at the same time as you usually would to get to the office but use this time instead to do an online yoga class, or make a delicious breakfast, linger over a freshly brewed coffee… the list is endless. If you can, go for a quick walk before you start work to separate home life and work life, at least in your mind. Take scheduled breaks at regular intervals, make sure you stay hydrated, get up and stretch your legs and do something different at lunch time to switch off for a bit from work. Finish your work day at the same time you normally would. Don’t let not having to run for a train/collect the kids from ballet be an excuse to spend more time working than normal. Turn off your computer, or at least your notifications, and go about your evening as you usually would.

We know, it’s difficult to find the motivation to tidy up, especially work stuff that we’ll just be pulling back out to use tomorrow morning. However, by having constant reminders of all the work you have to do, either paid or domestic, means your mind gets distracted from the task at hand, even if that’s binging Emily in Paris. Check out our blog on decluttering to help keep your spaces and mind clutter free!