Working from home? Green up your home office!

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sweeps across Australia, many of us will be working from home in the coming months. During this time, we will be juggling a variety of distractions and responsibilities. From entertaining bored kiddies, to fighting off cabin fever, we will all be dealing with our own challenges as we adjust to work in the new normal. 

But don’t despair! With these simple tips you can create a more positive and productive workspace in your home.

Adjust your mindset

First things first! These are strange and unusual times and it’s perfectly normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Between the nonstop cycle of negative news stories and the continuing restrictions to our everyday lives, it’s easy for our anxiety to run wild. Make some time in your day to focus on your mental health, whether it’s having a cup of tea on your balcony or in your backyard or dedicating 20 minutes to meditation, make sure you start your day off right!

Try to focus on the positives. You get to spend more time with your family, partner or flatmates and have more time to focus on things around the home. Fill the time you would usually be commuting to work with fun activities, DIY projects or hobbies. Usually the opportunity to work from home is a dream come true, so take the time to enjoy the freedom. Remember if you are suffering from anxiety or other mental health issues you can always seek support from Beyond Blue or Lifeline.

Set up for success

When working from home you need to create a workspace that is both professional and peaceful. As tempting as it may be, sitting on your laptop in bed just isn’t going to cut it! Invest in a proper work desk and ergonomic office chair so you can work from home in comfort. If your budget allows it, opt for a sit/stand desk that will allow you to switch up your posture throughout the day so you don’t get stiff and sore. Set up in an area of your home that has a nice view and as few distractions as possible and first things first, make sure you get up and get dressed ready for your new day.

Get greening

The benefits of houseplants 

There’s a reason why offices include plants in their interior design. Not only do plants look amazing, they also boast a whole range of health benefits. Plants can improve your health, purify your air and even sharpen your focus.

The more time that you spend indoors, the poorer your air quality becomes. Luckily, houseplants act as air filters and can remove around 85% of air toxins every 24 hours. They also act as natural humidifiers, releasing around 97% of the water that they absorb. In fact, by clustering groups of plants together you can dramatically increase the humidity in your home. Higher humidity levels will decrease your likelihood of developing dry skin, coughs, colds and sore throats. 

According to a variety of studies, houseplants also boost productivity. In fact, one study found that workers placed in a workspace with two potted plants and a bouquet of flowers generated 13% more ideas than those placed in a room with art and sculptures. 

Best low light plants for your home

Not blessed with a lot of natural light in your new office space? Don’t panic! There are plenty of plants that can deal with a little darkness. One of the most resilient low light plants out there is the Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.). Snake Plants or mother-in-law’s tongue come in a huge range of shapes and sizes and are actually recommended by NASA'S Clean Air Study for their air-purifying abilities! Choose a dwarf variety for your desk or a full-size variety to grow in the corner of the room.

If you’re looking for something with flowers, then look no further than the Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum). These plants have beautiful green glossy leaves and produce beautiful white flowers throughout the year. They are also great at purifying stale indoor air. If you’re looking for something with a more tropical feel, then opt for a Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans). When small, Parlor Palms make perfect desk pot plants and as they grow they can be to a larger pot on the floor. For more options, browse our full range of low light plants here.

Best easy-care plants

Would you love to have some "office" plants, but struggle to keep them alive? If you’re a serial plant killer, don’t stress! There are lots of plant varieties that are easy to care for. If you’re looking for something that’s fast-growing and low maintenance, then why not try out a Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). Pothos (or Devil’s Ivy) comes in a range of variegations (colourings) that are perfect for brightening up any home office. Their trailing foliage can be trained to grow on a pole or trellis or simply left to hang free. 

Another beautiful easy-care plant is the Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). The Zanzibar Gem (or ZZ plant) has shiny green foliage and is virtually indestructible, as it requires little water and can survive incredibly low light conditions. Looking for some low maintenance indoor plants? We’ve got you covered! Browse our full range of easy-care house plants here. 

At Plants in a Box, we are doing everything we can to support Aussie’s working from home. We take pride in growing a huge range of robust, premium plant varieties and deliver them right to your door. We are still open for business and offer free shipping Australia wide, so you can get the houseplants you want without ever leaving your home! 

So from all of us to all of you – stay safe, stay home and stay positive!

Love from the Plants in a Box Team x