HOW TO FRESHEN UP AN OUTDATED HOME OFFICE SPACE

Your home office should always be functional, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice on style. These three small upgrades will breathe new life into your work-from-home space to give you renewed inspiration for the year ahead.

Written by: Emma Follett-Botha

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PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Most workspaces are quite stark and minimalist, so incorporating a few low-maintenance pot plants is a wonderful way to freshen up your desk. Aside from benefitting from cleaner air, they’re also said to promote relaxation – ideal for when you’re gunning for a deadline. Opt for plants that thrive in low-light, indoor environments: snake plants, peace lilies and philodendrons. Alternatively, an artificial orchid or succulent are just as good if you don't consider yourself to have green fingers. Bring in some texture with a woven, graphic-print rug, which will also brighten the space.  

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STYLISH LIGHTING CHOICES 

Lighting is so important in any office space – especially if you do a lot of your work in the evenings. A desk lamp will offer intimate lighting when natural light or ceiling lighting isn’t sufficient, plus it serves as a chic accessory too. Make sure that the lampshade you use strikes a balance between functional and ambient and casts sufficient light over your work area.

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CLEAR THE CLUTTER 

An organised desk will allow you to avoid distraction and work more efficiently. Keep things tidy with a set of minimalist storage boxes. These will help to compartmentalise all your documents, notes, files and that all-important to-do list. Label them accordingly to prevent unnecessary rifling.

Another source of clutter is work certificates and achievements – choose stylish frames and give these pride of place above your desk. You can also display photographs of family and some of your favourite motivational quotes in frames of different sizes to create an on-trend gallery wall in lieu of other artwork. 

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Fashion editor: Rushana Burton. Fashion assistant: Primrose Skolo. Stills photography: André Wepener.

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