If you’re one of the lucky few able to work from home, you might find yourself occasionally feeling a bit bored, distracted, or simply unproductive. There seems to be a new study every week claiming that working from home makes you more productive, less productive, happier, or less happy—in short, nobody really knows. We think it’s down to the person and the job, more than simply getting out of the larger workplace. However, what can definitely make you more productive, less stressed, and happy to be in the home office busy at work is natural wood decor. Maybe it’s time to redesign the office space?
Why choose bamboo for your home office? Using natural plants like bamboo helps to turn your office into an enchanting, inspiring, and calming place. Picture those neutral tones and textures amongst greenery and small plants, creating an environment that fosters style and productivity. Not only is it visually appealing and calming, but it is also adding energy to the earth.
As one of nature’s most renewable resources, bamboo introduces new warmth into the workplace environment, enhancing business efficiency. It is also versatile, being somewhat understated; it will fit in with both traditional and high-tech designs. Also, bamboo is relatively rigid and thus has a very high level of durability. You know that if it’s placed in your home office, it will last for many years.
Can Wood Bring Creativity and Calm to Your Workspace?
It can, and don’t just take our word for it. Studies from around the world all seem to come to the same conclusion: woods like bamboo are natural stress relievers. Using wood in our homes and offices can improve our wellbeing, from lowering blood pressure and relieving anxiety to improving the quality of the air that we breathe.
Aside from physical health benefits, it can have positive mental effects too. Bamboo and wood furniture, such as shelves and desks in an office, can help bring out creativity, improve productivity, and generally just make our mental state more Zen. Which we all need when we’re going through spreadsheets or debugging code! Its composition, texture, and soft tones allow it to introduce a breath of nature and fresh air into any office, making the space more comfortable and calming.
The Benefits of Bamboo
Other than those important mental and physical health benefits, in what other ways is bamboo so beneficial as a building and home decoration material?
- Eco-Friendly. Of all sustainable materials, bamboo continues to be one of the most preferred and unique materials for home design. Unlike traditional hardwoods, it has a faster growth rate and takes fewer resources to produce. This makes bamboo a green material that decreases deforestation and thus has a push towards a low impact on the environment. Selecting bamboo home accessories means being loyal to the processes that are more friendly to nature.
- Durability and low maintenance. Another aspect of bamboo that makes it so brilliant is its robust and long-lasting nature. It is commonly used in building construction throughout Asian countries, not only because of its strength and durability but also because it is known to last longer than most materials. Furthermore, bamboo is easy to maintain. It is more scratch-resistant and stain-resistant than other woods, and only a quick wash with a damp cloth is usually enough to make it look brand new again. This low-maintenance feature is something that makes bamboo ideal for places that are frequently used, such as offices.
- Aesthetic appeal and versatility. Bamboo’s look and natural appearance can perfectly complement almost any style of interior design. Its neat outlines and warm shades can bring a classy and sleek appearance to your home office. Bamboo is an ideal accent accessory for those with modern, minimalist, traditional, or even eclectic tastes, as it blends very well with pretty much any interior design style.
How to Incorporate Bamboo into Your Home Office
Are you starting to lean towards bamboo yet? Wondering where to start? An easy and obvious way to incorporate natural beauty into your home office is to use bamboo furniture. Start with the bamboo desk, or if that’s a bit much for you, maybe go for chairs. Bamboo is a wood, sure, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard and rigid. Bamboo chairs can have an ergonomic design and be comfortable, too. Or, try bamboo shelves—organic and practical storage available in various styles. Not only do these pieces inject style into your office, but they are also contemporary representations of environmental sustainability.
Bamboo planters could also get things going, maybe paired with a bamboo table lamp and a splash of greenery. Bamboo wall art can also grab your attention and introduce a natural element to your working environment.
If you want to go all out, opt for bamboo as the wall or floor material for a more homogeneous appearance. The bamboo floor is strong and unique, while large bamboo wall coverings are a great way to really bring the outdoors in, giving your home office both panache and calm.
Finally, we can’t move on without mentioning woven bamboo pendant lighting. It’s our bread and butter. Whether small, large, or somewhere in between, any home office space can benefit from some natural, organic illumination.
Nature-Inspired Design Tips for a Home Office
Bamboo is incredibly versatile and available in a variety of colors, polishes, thicknesses, and shapes. Color-wise, choose a coloration of bamboo that would complement the general theme of your office. Use light-colored bamboo to lend an air of freshness to the room, or use darker shades to give it a luxurious and elegant impression that doesn’t sacrifice the organic feel. The bamboo surface can be natural or polished, and if older and worn, a slightly distressed finish is perfect for biophilic design themes.
Applying bamboo and other natural elements provides warmth and comfort to the space, but there needs to be a balance. Unless you’re looking to turn your home office into a garden, you’ll need to contrast the natural wood textures with modern, sleek touches. Smooth stonework, a smooth desk, or smooth decorative trinkets make tactile elements more noticeable.
Green plants complement bamboo and will also help to give the room a fresh and alive feeling. This fusion of natural materials keeps things fresh, adds variety in textures and colors, and generally makes your home office look much more rich and visually pleasing.
How to Care for Bamboo Furniture
While bamboo decor is easy to clean and requires little maintenance, you do want it to stay looking fresh. Follow these tips to help keep your bamboo furniture in spick-and-span condition.
- To clean bamboo, you don’t need anything fancy; just use a soft, wet cloth and clean it gently.
- Do not soak the bamboo or use chemicals likely to harm the organic material.
- For regular cleaning (or irregular, if you’re lazy), just wipe the surface with soap and warm water and pat it dry with a clean cloth.
- To keep dirt buildup away, try and dust the bamboo regularly.
- Do not place bamboo near sources of excessive moisture or continual direct sunlight exposure. Too much sunlight or moisture can cause warping or fading over extended periods of time.
- If, like us, you have all kinds of stuff littering your desk and love a good cup of coffee, remember to place mats and coasters under everything to avoid creating tacky marks on the furniture.
- Occasionally, you can use a bamboo-friendly polish or conditioner to maintain the glossy sparkle (if that’s the bamboo style you have) and prevent deterioration.
Summing Up
In summary, introducing bamboo wood to your home office or work space offers numerous advantages—visual, physical, and mental. That dash of nature added to your surroundings with bamboo furniture and accessories can provide calm composure in a sophisticated setting while maintaining a close connection with the environment. You’ll feel better, calmer, more relaxed, and hopefully more productive. Or you’ll feel so chill that you’ll end up watching cat videos all day and getting nothing done. Just don’t blame us!
