7 Expert Tips to Design a Calming Home Office: A Guide to Reducing Anxiety and Boosting Focus (2024)

Hey there! As someone who spent nearly two decades mastering anxiety management (and yes, that includes figuring out how to not lose my mind while working from home), I've learned a few things about creating a calm workspace. After years in emergency services and corporate executive roles, I've seen firsthand how our environment can either trigger anxiety or help us thrive. My first home office was basically a stress factory with bad lighting and zero organization. Not exactly ideal for someone who’s normally super organized!

Here's the thing: according to recent research, 68% of remote workers say their home office environment directly impacts their mental wellbeing. That's huge! Whether you're dealing with daily stress or just want to create a more peaceful workspace, I'm excited to share seven game-changing strategies that have worked wonders for both me and my clients.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it”

— Maya Angelou

1. Master Your Space Selection and Layout

When I was setting up my coaching business from home, I learned pretty quickly that location isn't just about having a nice view (though that's amazing too!). It's about creating a space that supports your mental wellbeing.

Key elements for the perfect layout:

- Position your desk in the "command position" - seeing the door without being directly in line with it (trust me, this security tip comes from my emergency services days!)

- Maximize natural light exposure (aim for within 20 feet of a window)

- Create clear boundaries between work and living spaces

- Make your space feel like a place you enjoy being in that is uniquely yours

- Ensure you have enough room for movement (more on this later!)

Pro tip: If you're working with a small space, use room dividers or plants to create psychological boundaries. Even a simple screen can help your brain switch between "work mode" and "relaxation mode."

2. Create Your Perfect Lighting Recipe

As someone who's done their fair share of night shifts in emergency services, I can tell you that lighting is everything when it comes to maintaining your mental health. Good lighting can literally make the difference between feeling like you're thriving or just surviving.

Your anxiety-reducing lighting formula:

• Natural light as your foundation (hello, Hawaiian sunshine!)

• Warm LED ceiling light with dimmer for ambient lighting

• Desk lamp for task lighting

• Small accent light for video calls if your room is a little on the darker side.

• Blue light filtering technology for your devices

Position your screen perpendicular to windows to avoid glare, (or if you’re like me and have the window behind you, invest in blinds or curtains that filter the light when you need it) and remember to adjust your lighting throughout the day to match your natural circadian rhythm. Yeah, no one needs that harsh overhead lighting giving them a headache!

Welcome to my calm corner of Hawaii! Ocean views for reflection, clean design for focus, and a complimentary cat on window duty - because every peaceful workspace needs a feline supervisor!

3. Harness the Power of Color Psychology

After helping many clients transform their spaces, I've seen how color can make or break your anxiety levels. And yes, I made ALL the mistakes first! That "energizing" bright yellow I once chose? Let's just say it was about as calming as a triple shot of espresso (and you know I don't do caffeine!). When I started using calming colors in my office, my anxiety levels dropped so much that I actually caught myself falling asleep during meditation. Not exactly the productivity boost I was going for, but hey - at least I know it works!

Best colors for anxiety reduction:

• Ocean-inspired blues (my absolute favorite!)

• Soft sage green

• Warm whites that remind me of sandy beaches

• Gentle beige tones

• Subtle lavender

Be sure to choose the colors that work for you and give you a sense of calm!

Incorporate these colors through:

• Wall paint or removable wallpaper

• Textiles and accessories

• Natural materials like wood and bamboo

• Artwork and photographs

• Storage solutions

4. Embrace Biophilic Design

Being a nature photographer and outdoor enthusiast, I'm ALL in when it comes to bringing the outside in. It's amazing how adding just a few plants can transform your workspace from sterile to serene. Research shows that office plants can reduce stress levels by 37% - not too shabby for some leafy friends!

Create your indoor nature sanctuary with:

• Low-maintenance plants (Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, orchids, (or even artificial plants, talk about stress free, low maintenance zen)

• Natural materials and textures

• Nature photography (I use my own shots from Hawaii!)

• Small water features for calming sounds

• Views of outdoor spaces where possible

• Even a digital photo frame on your desk that changes the photos every few minutes to your favorite photos that bring a smile to your face.

Pro tip: From my coaching experience (and yeah, learning this one the hard way!), having clear boundaries at home is super important. I once had someone enthusiastically burst into my office mid-presentation to share some exciting news, not realizing I was on camera with dozens of people! Now I'm all about clear signals. Pop a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door when you're in deep focus mode or on calls. Make it clear that when you have this sign displayed you are not to be disturbed unless it’s an emergency.

No dedicated office door? No worries! Get yourself a cute desk sign or standing sign holder. Trust me, it's a game-changer for keeping your zen when sharing your space with others. This simple strategy of using a Do Not Disturb sign has saved my sanity more times than I can count, especially during important virtual meetings!

5. Design for Movement and Energy Flow

After completing the 75 Hard challenge this year, I have learned just how important movement is for managing anxiety. Your office should support various ways of working and moving throughout the day.

My movement-friendly office essentials:

• Large desk with plenty of room for movement

• A Lumbar support chair that can move and adjust to my movements when I stretch my back.

• Dedicated stretch area to stretch my whole body.

• Mobile storage solutions

• Alternative seating areas

Daily movement strategy:

• 25-minute focused work sessions followed by 5-minute movement breaks (If you have an apple watch or similar device it can remind you to stand every hour or you can set a recurring reminder on your computer or phone to remind you to get up and move around)

• Morning stretch routine

• Afternoon stand-up sessions

• Quick energy-boosting exercises with resistance bands

• Walking meetings when possible (If you have a meeting that doesn’t require you to be in front of your computer, make it mobile and go a short walk, get some fresh air and soak in some vitamin D at the same time. The first time I tried doing a walking meeting, I got so caught up in the conversation that I ended up three beaches away from my house. Amazing chat though - and definitely hit my step count for the day!

6. Create Zones for Different Activities

This one comes from my love of organization and efficiency! Creating distinct zones in your home office helps reduce mental clutter and anxiety by giving everything its proper place.

Essential zones to include:

• Primary work zone (your main desk setup)

• Creativity corner (for brainstorming and planning)

• Movement area (for stretching and exercise)

• Reading/reflection space (for focused thinking)

• Storage zone (keeping everything organized and accessible)

7. Add Intentional Personal Touches

This is where you get to infuse your personality while maintaining that professional vibe. As someone who loves a mix of country, rock and roll, and beach style, I can tell you that personal touches make all the difference.

Anxiety-reducing personal elements:

• Inspiration board with favorite quotes and photos (I have this as my screen saver)

• Meaningful mementos (kept minimal and organized)

• Comfort items (cozy throw, favorite cushion)

• Aromatherapy with calming scents

• My cat lounging behind me on the window sill….or on my keyboard….or basically wherever she decides she wants to be…luckily I have a large workspace area so I can adjust to her needs!

Create "calm corners" with:

• Meditation spaces

• Photo wall of nature shots or whatever is pleasing to your eye

• Tech-free reading nook

• Gratitude wall with client success stories

• Organized charging station for devices

Final Thoughts…

Creating an anxiety-reducing home office isn't about following some rigid rulebook - it's about designing a space that helps you feel amazing while crushing your goals. As someone who's been on both sides of anxiety (experiencing it and helping others through it), I can tell you that your environment plays a massive role in your mental wellbeing.

Start with what resonates most with you. Maybe it's adding some plants, optimizing your lighting, or finally getting that standing desk you've been eyeing. Remember, you don't have to do everything at once - progress over perfection, right?

I'm so grateful to share these strategies with you, I hope you’ve found them helpful and I'd love to hear about your home office transformation journey! What changes have made the biggest impact on your anxiety levels? Drop a comment below and let's keep this conversation going!

P.S. Don't forget to check out my latest blog posts for more tips and insights on anxiety management in this modern world!