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Add wood to your home office and up your feel good!

By Jen Bishop •

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Sponsored by Planet Ark’s Make It Wood

I absolutely love my solid timber desk in my home office but little did I know it could be contributing to my productivity as well as looking (and feeling!) good!

My home office
Image source: Domayne blog

A new Australian report, Workplaces: Wellness + Wood = Productivity, says productivity can be increased by 8% and rates of well-being by 13% when we are exposed to natural elements, such as wood, in our offices. And with younger generations increasingly starting their own entrepreneurial ventures and working from home, they can choose to surround themselves with such things on a daily basis. Not to mention aesthetics! Take a look at some of our favourite timber home office picks. Nature always gets it right, right?!

The Watson Open Bookcase in new teak from GlobeWest

 

Ethnicraft Oak Wave bookcase from Curious Grace made from sustainable European oak

 

My own Ascot desk in natural ash from Contents ID

 

Recycled Stringybark sideboard from Ingrain Designs

Pollinate undertook a large-scale study investigating the relationship between exposure to wood in the workplace and workers’ reported wellbeing. The following findings are based on the results of an online survey of 1,000 ‘typical’ Australians working in indoor environments:

–Workers in workplaces with more wood have higher levels of satisfaction

–Biophilic design elements e.g. plants, natural light are also correlated with increased workplace satisfaction

–Workers in work environments with exposed wood feel more connected to nature and have more positive associations with their workplace

–Those in wooden working environments have higher levels of wellbeing and take less leave

–Wood is correlated with higher levels of concentration, improved mood and personal productivity.

Over the years I have definitely come to appreciate the feel good factor, beauty and longevity of wood in my home. In my thirties, I’ve upgraded from MDF flatpack, and I prefer to wait until I can afford the solid timber version; even better if it’s sustainably sourced too (read more about choosing the right wood). In my last apartment reno I used recycled timber vanities crafted by Melbourne’s Ingrain Designs and my latest furniture purchase for this house is an extendable ash dining table by Ethnicraft, who are committed to making solid wood furniture which lasts for generation and transcends trends.

My last bathroom reno featured stunning recycled timber vanities which I still miss!

It makes absolute sense to me that being surrounded by wood, be it at home, in the office or home office, would contribute to your feeling of wellbeing and connection to nature. As someone who gets to work from home and dictate my home office surroundings, I absolutely love having a beautiful solid timber desk as the hero of the room. Its timeless design means I’ll have it for many years.

The report goes on to say: “The link between job satisfaction and productivity has been well established in several academic papers. The happier the worker the more effective they will be in their role. Therefore, it is crucial for organisations to focus on worker satisfaction in order to maximise productivity. According to the results of this survey only 66% of workers are satisfied with their working life and only 59% with their workplace’s physical environment. This leaves a significant proportion who may not be maximising their potential while at work.”

An area in which workers were least satisfied was their connection with nature while at work. Given the established link between nature and wellbeing it makes sense that we should all trying adding some timber and plants (which also happen to be seriously on trend!) to our offices (where we have the choice) and home offices!

Why wood’s good (from a design perspective)

  • It’s a neutral
  • Natural materials add warmth and interest
  • It’s solid and hardwearing and can be sanded back and given a new lease on life should it get damaged or you fancy a change
  • It basically goes with everything!

Some ideas for adding wood to your home office

  • The obvious one: a desk
  • Timber wall shelving or bookcases
  • Investing in solid timber flooring when renovating rather than cheaper alternatives
  • Look for vintage timber furniture pieces to add character and minimise the corporate vibe.

Download the report

Read more about using wood, guilt-free, in your home.

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June 14, 2018

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Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS! Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS!

@castleryau have named the talented stylist @stevecordony as their first Australian brand ambassador and he's curated a capsule of their furniture which he styled to perfection at his stunning country house @rosedale_farm 

I was lucky enough to see the pieces in situ last week and I honestly couldn't believe how well it all worked! They were going for accessible luxury and well, he delivered, and then some!

Head to the blog via link in bio to read more about the partnership.

#castlery #castleryau #stevecordony #rosedalefarm #affordablefurniture #australianstylist
If you pick your restaurants for the interior as m If you pick your restaurants for the interior as much as the food, you might want to add @pinosalmare  by @nicgrahamandassociates to your date night list! 😍

@smartstoneaustralia's stunning Calacatta Viola sintered stone surface features throughout, making a bold statement while being durable enough to be used in the busiest areas.

Inspired by Puglia, Pino's (named after the owner's father) in Cronulla has a real seaside vibe. The Smartstone was also chosen for the outdoor tables due to its UV stability.

#calacattaviola #smartstone #restaurantinteriors #restaurantinteriordesign #italianrestaurantsydney #engineeredstone #sinteredstone
SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jas SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jasminemcclellanddesign delivered. And then some!

"With a keen eye for design, they wanted their main bathroom to feel calm, spa-like and elevated with more storage, better layout, and soft, layered textures in a neutral palette. Lighting was another big focus, with the goal of creating a space that felt luxurious enough to unwind in, preferably with a glass of champagne in the bath.”

Is it a yay or a nay for you?

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the suppliers as well as a look at the powder room with its bold wallpaper 😍

#spabathroom #zenbathroom #spavibes #bathroomremodels 

📸 @jonathantabensky
Vacuums, mops, empties itself. Slim enough to get Vacuums, mops, empties itself. Slim enough to get under the lowest furniture and beds.

Comment 'enter' and we'll DM you the link to enter for your chance to win this top of the range $1499 robot from @ecovacs_anz, the DEEBOT T50 PRO OMNI.

Good luck!

#robotvacuumcleaner #robotvaccum #robotvacuummop #robotmop #smarthome #houseworkhacks
>>>Swipe for the transformation! 😮 From cold t >>>Swipe for the transformation! 😮

From cold to cosy!

This primary ensuite for a successful career woman working in luxury cosmetics and homewares is sexy, strong, girly, but sophisticated. We love its warmth and personality.

If you'd like to take the tour and find out where everything is from, comment 'luxe' below and I'll send the link to your DMs!

Bravo @howardlanedesigns 👏🏼 
📸 @capturedbykels__

#ensuiteinspo #ensuitedecor #ensuitegoals #marblebathrooms #statementstone
The latest addition to my @kirstenjackson_gallery The latest addition to my @kirstenjackson_gallery collection. This is a framed canvas and the quality is amazing. I feel like beautifully framed canvas prints are the perfect affordable halfway point when it comes to art.
What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

I could have told you I was spring even before I took the quick quiz to find out, and pleased to report the quiz gave me the right result!

Comment the season you THINK you are below (spring, summer, autumn or winter) and I'll send you the link to the quiz so you can double check!

Fun!

This quiz from @templeandwebster jumps on the colour analysis trend for fashion and applies it to interiors!

#seasonaldecorating #seasonaldecor #colouranalysis
The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday w The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday was a real treat. Such an exciting and sleek looking upgrade to my favourite kitchen machine!

The new look speaks for itself and, as usual, the engineering is impressive. Here's the biggest changes that stood out to me:

1. It's SO quiet and in fact SILENT up to a certain speed 
2. It has a much bigger 10 inch screen
3. A new insulated, cool to touch bowl (the inner metal bowl detaches to wash)
4. A gorgeous new matte black design with fluted and herringbone details and made of 30% recycled materials 👏🏼 

Enjoyed a beautiful lunch all prepared, naturally, in the Thermomix! Was great to meet @mise_en_place_aus in real life as well as special guest dessert queen @kirstentibballs and catch up with the lovely Thermomix team.

Tag a friend who'll be coveting the TM7! It's available from next week!

#thermomixtm7 #thermomix #thermomixaus #thermomixlover
Awards are always a great place to get inspo. Chec Awards are always a great place to get inspo. Check out the kitchen and bathroom of the year winners in this month's @hia_au @csrdwelling Housing Awards. There's more winning homes and rooms to check out in our blog post on the homepage, via link in bio or stories now. 

Kitchen by @build.theory Bathroom by @birdblackdesign and @aspire_constructions 

#hiaawards #hiaawards2025 #awardwinninghomes #australianinteriordesign
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Jen Bishop

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. She founded Interiors Addict in 2011. Jen also works as a copywriter and comms consultant to small business owners and brands, helping them with their own content as well as working out what will make them appealing to the media.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ahaan says

    June 15, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    It’s a trend now-a-days of using wood in newly offices, restaurants, cafes, etc. Like the idea of the benefits of bringing nature to work.

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