At first look, this space looks like a professional and chic retail shop and design agency. When really, it is Jeff Sheldon’s own home office and workspace.
What is essential to being creative in any workspace is being surrounded by pieces that inspires you. That is what makes this home office stand out – the spacious room, with areas dedicated to those inspiring pieces and items he has made for his brand Ugmonk.
Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, it is close to hiking trails and fresh air. Even the workspace itself makes use of nature with the glass planters and natural lighting streaming through the large windows.
“My favorite aspect of my current setup is the refreshing natural light from the windows that creates an ever-changing view as the seasons come and go.”
Are you lucky enough to be able to work from home? I am, and it’s pretty great. When it comes to being productive while working at home there are a few key things to keep in mind. One of those is a great workspace. It allows you to be organized, have your own space to work on projects, and keeps you inspired. And lighting plays a big role in how your home workspace feels.
When it comes to home office lighting ideas, there are two types that you need to keep in mind: functional lighting and relaxing lighting. Functional lighting is more task based, and helps you stay on the ball and productive. While relaxing lighting helps and nurtures creative thinking.
Functional and Productive Home Office Lighting
If you are about to remodel your home office, then pay close attention to the ceiling lights. These will help fill the room with ambient lighting, making it a comfortable space to be in. The go to choice for ceiling lights would be recessed (the ones that are fitted inside of the ceiling, creating a modern look). If you choose this type of light fixture, make sure you have enough and space them out so they light up the whole room.
An alternative to recessed lights would be track lighting. The good thing about these, is that you can angle the lights to different areas of the room. Then you also have the choice of pendant lights, which are ideal for hanging over working areas as they bring the light closer down from the ceiling as seen in pictures (1) and (2).
Natural Lighting
The best kind of lighting to have while working in the day is daylight (3). It is natural, and energizing. So look to open up your windows as much as possible. If the windows face direct sunlight, fit blinds and shades so you can adjust how much light comes through. It is always better to use natural lighting over indoor lights.
Desk Lamps
Your desk lamp is quite vital in creating a functional workspace. It can reduce eyestrain when looking at your computer screen, and make offline desk tasks a lot easier to do too. Look for an adjustable one – like a swing arm (4) or angelpoise lamp (seen below). These adjustable lamps let you move the light around the desk, if you have a large one.
Save space on your desk by having a lamp that clamps to the side of the desk. Alternative desk space saving ideas include using a floor lamp or have a magnetic lamp that can be stuck onto something metallic, like a shelf, nearby. If you have a wall nearby, then an adjustable wall lamp will work too like in picture (5).
Creative Thinking Lighting
When it comes time to do some brainstorming and more creative thinking in your home office, you’ll want to create a different work setting. You can easily do this with your lights. By switching from cold and functional work and task based lights, to more relaxing dim down lighting (just like in a chilled out café) you’ll create a work space ideal for creative thinking.
If you want to make a space feel more relaxing, then you want to bring the lights down. Avoid lighting the ceiling and instead use floor and desk lamps. Try and layer the lighting in the room and add some soft glowing lights too.
Soft Glowing Lighting Ideas for a Home Office
Put a light behind your computer screen and let the light softly bounce off of the wall.
If you really want to go for it, how about having a transparent desk and have it softly lit up (6)
Mood lights are great to have. You can change the entire feel of the room just by changing the color of the lamp. If it is a grey and dull day, then set the mood light to a bright green or yellow. If you want to get in a more creative mood, how about coloring the room orange, or dark red?
Put up some display lighting. Light up some art work, or fit some book case lights to create more soft glows of light in the room.
Have your ceiling lights hooked up to a dimmer, so you can be in full control of your ceiling lights.
If you want to create a whimsical feel in your home office, then check out the string lights in picture (7)
Lighting is just one of the things to keep in mind when setting up your home office to be a productive workspace. Other things to keep in mind are organization, decor, creative stimuli, and inspiration. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7
Create the Best Home Workspace for Yourself
Sign up here if you want to know more about creating a creative space at home – as I’ll be putting out a pocket sized guide that covers everything from how to come up with ideas, creative exercises, to case studies (Pixar, Ideo) and how to create a creative workspace at home.
"The best place for creative home ideas."
Home Tree Atlas is all about ideas. Here you will find a growing collection of interior design and decor mood board guides I have put together. You don't need to be an interior designer to turn your home into a great looking, and relaxing space.
Get Inspired - Jacob
(Pictures of me volunteering in the Philippines, building homes)
