Aside from improving the aesthetic of your home office, plants and flowers boast numerous health benefits. They purify the air, promote productivity, boost creativity and can heighten our moods. Whether you invest in one plant or several, there are various ways you can add blooms and shrubs to your home office.
Plants are proven to reduce unwanted toxins in the air and heighten air quality. In addition to these benefits, they boast numerous aromatherapy qualities, ranging from enlivening the mind to lowering blood pressure and decreasing stress levels. They also encourage a deeper, more peaceful sleep, which makes them an asset to those who struggle to get quality shut-eye.
Boost your productivity
Whether you struggle to concentrate or have moments of brain fog, investing in a handful of plants is proven to boost productivity. One study, completed by Dr. Christ Knight in 2014, showcased the beneficial impacts that plants have on our motivational levels and efficiency in the workplace. Knight teamed up with several academics from various locations, including Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, to monitor productivity in the office before and after the introduction of flowers and plants.
The studies revealed a 15% boost in productivity levels in green spaces. On top of enhanced productivity levels, plants and flowers were also found to enhance people’s attention spans and memory retention.
Improve Air Quality
Even in our homes, air pollution is rife – and just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Pollutants stem from a variety of factors, including everything from clothing and cleaning products to furniture, and these chemicals build up inside our homes.
Dirty, polluted air directly affects our health and well-being. One way to solve this? Add a handful of air-purifying plants to your home office. Plants and shrubs consume chemicals, cleansing the air through photosynthesis. The result? Clean oxygen and a happier mind and body.
There’s are several plant options to choose from, all of which range in size and colour. Snake Plants, English Ivy, Spider plants, chrysanthemums, Aloe Vera and Broad lady Palms are just a few of the popular air purifying plants and flowers available today. So now we know why plants are beneficial to our home office, here are five ways to embrace green living in your personal workspace…
1. Terrariums
If you have a smaller area to work with, terrariums are a great option for your home office. They’re easy to care for, unobtrusive and boast a contemporary style – being slightly more interesting than your traditional plant pot.
Instead of filling a conventional pot, terrariums take pride in place in small, stylish glass plant pots, which encase multiple plants. This creates a unique, aesthetically pleasing display, perfect for a desk or shelf unit.
2. Experiment with the height
To ensure you find the perfect balance of plants for your space, don’t be afraid to experiment with varying heights and leaf designs. Plant stands are a great investment when it comes to adding more drama to your home office. If you don’t have a plant stand to hand, stacked books can work just as well.
We suggest arranging your new plants in a few different ways until you find a set up that works in harmony with your space.
3. Take advantage of your vertical space
If you simply don’t have any floor space and your desk is usually awash with working papers, add a shelf to your home office and take advantage of your vertical space. A solid shelf will provide an instant home for an array of picture-perfect trailing plants. Although there are numerous styles to choose from, hoya linearis come highly recommended for the home office.
With its air-purifying qualities and unusual patterned leaves, this species makes the perfect work companion. Hanging plants are a great solution if you wish to add impact to a smaller space too, and all without taking up precious floor and desk space.
4. Invest in good planters
When it comes to creating the perfect balance between office furniture and air-cleansing foliage, it’s important to choose your planters wisely. Choose pots that complement your decor and the plants or flowers. For example, if your home office is extremely contemporary in style, choose modern vessels. Similarly, if your office is traditional, opt for planters that emanate this style.
For instant aesthetic appeal, experiment with varying patterns and textures, including smooth and rough pot designs, as well as industrial and earthy styles. It’s also important to think about the plant’s needs. For example, plants that prefer to dry out in between waterings – such as palms, cacti and succulents – prefer terracotta pots.
Similarly, to avoid ruining your office furniture with thirsty plants, don’t forget to place a saucer or tray under any pots featuring draining holes.
5. Take your colour palette into consideration
With so many plants and flowers to choose from, you can always find some to match your home décor and colour scheme. If you prefer an eclectic style, invest in bright blooms and flowering plants that match your existing colour scheme or promise blooms in colour contrasting hues.
Alternatively, opt for soft shapes and muted hues if you have calming decor. At the end of the day, your home office should be a place where you’re able to concentrate and feel comfortable. So remember that too many plants in contrasting shades could cause distraction.
Sources: quillsuk.co.uk, thespruce.com, countryliving.com, thejoyofplants.co.uk, ecowarriorprincess.net
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