How to create the ideal home telecommuting space with houseplants?

Many of us have been teleworking for just over six months. We have turned our dining room, bedroom, office or kitchen into an office. It seems that teleworking is not a temporary thing. Not only because of the current pandemic in which we live, but also because in these times of modern technology many companies are convinced that working from home is the future (or a model in which teleworking is combined with face-to-face work in the office).

How do you create the perfect workplace, a healthy space to perform daily tasks in our profession?

teleworking has its advantages and disadvantages

It is not always possible, nor with all professions, but if you have been working from home for some time now, it is a good thing: you save yourself the early morning, the travel time to the office, the traffic jams, the bad weather that is coming and all the other hassles. Now in the morning you get up, get out of the shower, sit down at your desk and switch on your laptop. After being confined for more than two months we can also leave the house from time to time and take a break on the terrace, in the street or in a park.

the other face of teleworking

It's not all positive, over time you will have realised that being at home and working has its disadvantages. A Dutch study by TNO has shown that working remotely during 'the coronavirus crisis' is stressful. In general, we find it hard to concentrate, we work, rest and spend time in the same room and miss our work colleagues. Work gets mixed up with private life. However, it seems that in the foreseeable future we will still be anchored to our home offices and dining tables. That is why it is very important to create a pleasant workplace at home where we experience as little stress as possible.

And according to a Japanese study (University of Hyogo in Awaji) on the effect of putting plants in the workplace, it has been shown that it can help our brain to relax and even improve mental health. Just by looking at a plant, you are able to better process any information and create a new focus. So houseplants are indispensable in a healthy and efficient working environment.

creating green spaces at home

All houseplants in your workplace also help you to feel happy. The vast majority of them are healthy, because they purify the air at home, increase the oxygen content and thus improve your health. In addition, plants improve the feeling of well-being in the workplace. A small green corner on your desk or in your room has a very calming effect!

Studies have shown that greenery in the workspace has many positive effects on the atmosphere, health, well-being and ability to concentrate. This does not only apply to your home workplace, but also to your entire home.

the green teleworking place

One of the reasons for the calming effect of green plants is their very colour: green. This colour stimulates compassion towards others, balances our energy levels and is associated with nature. This last aspect is even more useful during our new situation at home and with possible confinements.

purify the air at home

In addition to placing plants in your office you can also place some indoor plants in the corridors, living room and bathroom. These 5 plants purify the air and have a calming effect. Do you work at the dining table or in the living room? Make sure that everything around you is neat and tidy, so that you are not constantly distracted.

anti-stress plants kit

Green plants will bring your home office to a more productive home office. Green plants have been proven to increase productivity by up to 15%. They reduce stress, make you feel more cheerful and increase concentration. They even have a miraculous effect on your creativity! And all that thanks to some green friends. This kit of urban jungle plants will help you create a green corner in no time. Give them a nice place in your home and you can benefit from all the advantages of a little green corner in your home.

creating peace of mind

A quiet workspace is a must for most people in order to work with concentration. For your well-being and productivity it is best to keep your workplace as a neutral space at home. Choose light walls and don't use too many colours and materials for furniture and accessories.

your position

In addition to plants, there are other aspects to take into account in order to achieve a comfortable and healthy workplace. It sounds logical, but we are often not sitting properly. Start with your posture, the way you sit is super important for blood circulation. You can only sit comfortably if your chair or armchair fits well at your desk. The three conditions for good sitting posture are: your feet on the floor, sit up straight and your arms should rest on the back of your chair and also on the table. Try to keep your back straight. Since you spend a lot of time teleworking in the same place and in the same position, invest in a good office chair. If you don't have your own desk, there are also tools to create a good workspace with your dining table and a regular chair.

the position of the screen

Your computer screen should be in a straight line with the user's face parallel. Also, if you work with a laptop, place it preferably at arm's length. For perfect screen height, the top edge of the screen should be at eye level. If this is not the case, put it on a special stand or on top of some books. It is also good to have a mouse and keyboard separate from the laptop.

light

Lack of light can make you more tired after a day's work. What's more, it reduces your productivity and makes you get too close to your screen, which is not good for your eyes. If you have a workplace with daylight, set up your desk so that you get light from the sides. You can dose the daylight with curtains on the windows or even blinds.

Put every houseplant in its proper place, plants that need more light near the window and turn your office into a cosy and lively space. In our plant blog with tips and ideas you can read more about the decoration and care of indoor and outdoor plants.

Also make sure you have a desk lamp and wall or ceiling lights if there is not enough natural light. For working at the dining table or in the living room, lamps with dimmers are a good option. So you have enough light to work with, but when you're done, you can switch the lamp back on with the ambient light.

Discover how to -what we from FlorEspaña call- go green with plants, our tips for care and other deco ideas.