Statistics indicate that a home office addition can increase your property’s value by 10%, which is great if you intend to sell your home soon. However, that’s not the only benefit you can get from owning a home office. You can have a dedicated space to attend to your job or business-related tasks without being distracted. And you can take a step further by making your workspace more eco-friendly. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll also be more productive. You also benefit from reduced operating costs such as energy and waste disposal fees. If you plan to create an eco-friendly home office, here are some things you can do to achieve the best results and boost your home’s value.
Invest in eco-friendly paint options
Many paint options are available on the market, although not all benefit your health and the environment. Some paints have many VOCs- unstable chemicals that produce harmful gases. These chemicals give paint its characteristic “new paint smell.” However, inhaling them can trigger nausea, headaches, and irritation in your airways. It can also cause damage to the central nervous system, liver, and kidney. Moreover, VOCs can react with oxygen to create an ozone layer, especially when there’s sunlight. This, in turn, can cause air pollution and global warming. Therefore, investing in eco-friendly paint options is prudent to prevent these.
Admittedly, some paint brands market themselves as low-VOCs. However, you can’t be so sure of what the standard of low VOCs is. Therefore, your safest bet is to invest in paints with no VOCs. You should note that zero-VOC paints have minimal or no odor and are made from natural ingredients like water, chalk, clay, plant oils, plant and mineral dyes, etc. Check for independent certification seals like the GREENGUARD label, Green Seal, and the GreenWise Seal when buying paint.
Purchase sustainable office furniture
Another way to help the environment is to purchase sustainable office furniture. These furniture pieces are made with materials that don’t impact the environment. They can stand the test of time, preventing you from filling up landfills. Also, you can reduce your carbon footprint when you invest in furniture made with biodegradable and recycled materials. Your business will also benefit, as customers will likely patronize businesses that contribute to a more eco-friendly cause. So you want to consider buying sustainable furniture if you haven’t already.
You want to consider the percentage of recyclable materials in the furniture pieces before purchasing them. As a tip, search for options with the GreenGuard certification. Also, chairs and tables made from wood options like oak, pine, hevea, and beech will work well, so feel free to consider them. Consequently, try options made with silk, cotton, rattan, bamboo, wicker, linen, wool, etc. Although sustainable furniture may be more expensive, you wouldn’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon. This means you would save more, so keep this in mind.
Leverage natural light
Lighting is crucial for performing your tasks, and what better lighting option than the sun? Indeed, natural lighting has been proven to ward off depression while elevating your mood. Moreover, you can get your daily dose of vitamin D, which boosts your energy and increases productivity. Natural lighting also prevents you from straining your eyes, especially when sitting in front of your PC for long hours. You can also save energy since you don’t have to turn on artificial lighting throughout the day. Fortunately, you can allow natural lighting in your office in various ways. For instance, you can replace your smaller windows with larger options. However, you want to consult professional installers like Renewal by Andersen for more guidance.
Skylights are also great for allowing more sunlight in, so feel free to consider this. However, installing it in the right position is important to prevent overheating. Consequently, ditch the heavy drapes and replace them with solar shades if you still want your windows covered. You can also consider buying furniture with mirror accents or glass panels to reflect sunlight across your office.
Consider LED lighting options
Sunlight’s great, but it’s not available at night. And you still need light to function effectively if you work at night. In this case, you’d find it helpful to buy LED lighting fixtures. This lighting option is more eco-friendly as compared to incandescent bulbs. LEDs emit little heat and shine brightly without consuming much electricity. Moreover, they have longer lifespans than their incandescent counterparts. Purchasing the right lighting color is essential to prevent eyestrain while working. Also, consider the lumens instead of the wattage before deciding which lighting to buy. Lumen is the measurement of the bulb’s brightness, so keep this in mind.