How to Make Your Home Office More Environmentally Friendly

Last updated on January 5, 2023

If you have a home office or workspace, you might want to make it environmentally friendly. Here’s how.

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way we work. Thanks to the tumultuous events of the past year, more and more people are embracing the work-from-home model and executing their work remotely. While many people thought that this remote work was only temporary, it now seems like work from home has become the new standard that will stick around long after the pandemic has subsided. 

You may think that this shift will represent an end to the emphasis on sustainability that many companies have adopted in recent years. However, the only difference is that now it will become individuals’ responsibility to maintain a sustainable and eco-friendly workspace. If you care about the environment, you’ll also surely want to make sure that your home office is not damaging the environment.

Below, we’ve put together a few simple and effective ways you can turn your home office into an eco-friendly and comfortable workspace. Let’s get started!

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Start with the Lighting

light home office

To limit your dependence on electrical lighting, can either set up your office in a spot that receives maximum natural light or use the greenest form of lighting. Switching your rooms or rearranging your office tools may not be a viable solution for everyone. Additionally, not every home receives abundant natural light. 

You can make a few changes to your space to encourage more natural light, such as installing large windows and painting the room in white. You can also install LED light bulbs to make your home office more eco-friendly.

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Add Plants to Your Space

home office greenery

Replace your air purifiers and artificial plants with high-quality and natural pot plants to make your home office more environmentally friendly. Plants not only bring some welcome greenery into your space, but they also enhance air quality and act as a natural air purifier. 

Having fresh and colorful plants in your inside space will reduce your stress and create a peaceful environment that boosts productivity. You can even hire low-maintenance plants from PhsGreenLeaf and create a green and inviting home office.

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Invest in Sustainable Office Furniture

Thankfully, eco-friendly and sustainable home office furniture that offers a high level of comfort is not difficult to find. Fashionable, brand new furniture may look fresh and stunning, but it isn’t a wise choice for those who want to go green with their home office. Think about the hazardous products that are used for the manufacturing of these furniture pieces.

The most sustainable and eco-friendly way to fit out your home office is to buy second-hand furniture. It’s easy to find used office furniture that looks new, as many workplaces frequently redecorate their space and discard their furniture even if it is in good condition. You can check out the flea markets, online second-hand marketplaces, and social media to find comfortable and sustainable home office furniture for your space.

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Greener Paints

You’re probably wondering how painting your home office green can contribute to sustainability. Well, psychology tells us that green walls promote a feeling of balance, productivity, and growth. This color also helps you feel more connected to the environment. Plus, people feel more confident, productive, and comfortable when they are surrounded by green.

So, if you want to make your space eco-friendly while boosting your productivity, green paint makes the best option for your home office walls. Be sure to choose a paint that is green in both senses of the word – that is chemical-free, non-toxic, and organic.

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De-clutter

This one is pretty obvious. Some people have home offices with empty cups, paper towels, tissues, sticky notes, and other office supplies lying on the floor. Not only does it affect sustainability, but having such a cluttered office space can have a serious impact on your productivity. 

It’s hard to focus on work when you are surrounded by clutter. Now that your home is also your workspace, it goes without saying that you will generate a considerable amount of waste. A few ways to make it more environment-friendly are:

  • Going digital with your paperwork 
  • Using a whiteboard in your office instead of sticky notes
  • Reusing and recycling as many office supplies as possible
  • Getting washable rags instead of disposable paper towels
  • Using recycled printer paper
  • Going completely paperless with modern apps
  • Getting rid of packaged foods and snacks

These are just a few of the things you can try! Any change in your home office that reduces waste will make it more environmentally friendly.

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Get Sustainable Office Supplies

Some companies have launched sustainable and eco-friendly office supplies that can transform your home into a greener and more sustainable office. These stationery, tools, and office supplies are as reliable and effective as their traditional counterparts, but they are manufactured from recycled and reused products. Some examples of eco-friendly office supplies are refillable pens, recycled paper, and other such eco-friendly stationery.

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