In celebration of Hygge season at the Work-Life community, let’s familiarize ourselves with this word often used in interior design to describe how decor can make you feel in your surroundings, the ambience generated in a well-curated room. This is how Wikipedia defines it:
“To give courage, comfort, joy". Hygge stems from hyggja which means “to think.” Hygge is built from the Old Norse word hugr which later became the hug which means the soul, mind, consciousness.”
At Vibrant Interiors, we firmly believe that good Hygge exponentially increases your health and quality of life and that the best way to achieve this state of “soul, mind, consciousness” is by infusing the energies found in nature to your space, in particular, your office. The easiest way to bring balance to your workspace is by incorporating the Five Elements: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire! We are here to give you simple ideas on how to apply these elements to achieve an office that makes you feel energized, healthy, calm, and efficient.
The first and easiest thing you can do to bring life-giving, vibrant energy to an office is plants! They are magic and represent the Wood (plant leaves) and Earth elements (soil). They remove toxins from the air, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and are especially useful during the winter when we keep our doors and windows closed much of the time. Plants have amazing healing properties and have been shown to decrease headaches, colds, and overall fatigue. No green thumb? No worries! In this article I share my favorite, easy-care plants. My top two choices in an office that need little watering and low light are the Pothos and Snake (sansevieria) plants. 🪴
Plants in your office purify the air and add life to any decor.
Second, incorporate nature-inspired art and accents to your decor. Have great memories of your family trip to the beach, lake, or mountains? Enlarge a favorite photo (Walgreens is a great place for cheap prints), find a nice wood or metal frame, and hang it to uplift the vibe in your office. Want to feel more serene in your workspace? Add a soothing WATER feature such as a table fountain. Need to feel strength and support? Place a painting or a photo of a mountain behind you when sitting at your desk in the command position. Art not only adds color and interest, but will make you feel supported and grounded. Those feelings will give you the vitality to work better and healthier, especially if you have images of trees, landscapes, and other natural resources.
Third, make your office feel comfortable and supportive to you through texture. This can be achieved in the form of natural fibers and materials like bamboo blinds, woven rugs, leather chairs, books (considered to be a wood element), and a wood desk. They are sure to create depth in the look and feel of your office. Want to be bold? Try removable wallpaper on an accent wall - it also creates an instant, vibrant Zoom background!
Adding pops of warm colors and natural textures will create depth and comfort to your space.
You can also bring in the water element by placing a mirror across from your desk. The glass mimics that of a still lake or pond. In Feng Shui, a mirror not only visually expands the size of a room, but when placed across from your desk, metaphorically reflects greater opportunities before your very eyes. Bring in metal vibes by investing in a good filing cabinet that not only holds current client files, but is large enough to welcome in more. This will keep more business flowing to you. Many trendy options are available these days!
Finally, to activate fire energy 🔥, hang your awards, diplomas, and special skill recognitions where you and your clients can see them. This shows your inner spark of success and creativity. Add some red and dark orange pieces too! And do not forget plenty of good lighting in the form of desk and floor lamps, and excellent commercial lighting that is not too white or sterile. 💡
We don’t just look at our environments, we breathe them in. - Christopher Day, Architect
I hope you enjoyed reading about some easy ways to create better balance in your office. Not only will you feel more motivated to work in a comfortable space, but you will feel inspired and more productive. Also, try to actually go out IN nature when you can. A brisk 5-10 minute walk in between meetings will do just fine to reactivate your thoughts and calm your nervous system. That is the wonder of nature and how it brings good Hygge into your life and work. 🍃🍃💚
Mary Grace Peak, is a certified Feng Shui Consultant, Reiki Practitioner, and Holistic Interior Stylist. She founded Vibrant Interiors after a twenty-year career in government relations. Mary Grace believes that your outer environment is a direct reflection of what is going on in your inner life. Let Vibrant Interiors help you create beautiful, inspiring spaces resulting in greater joy and prosperity. Book online for a free consultation today! Subscribe to this blog for more easy tips to design a more thoughtful life!