Working from home has its perks, but it can easily start to feel flat or disconnected from the rest of your home. The right materials can change that. Natural textures and tones make a workspace feel calmer and more human, which helps you focus for longer without it feeling like a chore.
If you’re setting up your own space or thinking about upgrading your desk, get in touch and we can help plan something that works for your room and the way you like to work.
1. Start with a Natural Desk
A solid desk is the anchor of any workspace. You spend most of your day at it, so it’s worth choosing one that feels good to sit at. A desk made from real wood or other natural materials feels warm to the touch and develops its own character over time. Even the small knot on the edge or a gentle curve in the grain can become something you find yourself tracing without thinking, a small fidget that quietly grounds you through the day. It’s less about how it looks and more about how it feels to work on. Stable, tactile and built to last.
2. Keep the Palette Calm
When a workspace is full of bright colours or glossy finishes, it can start to feel busy fast. Keeping things neutral and natural helps you stay grounded. Soft whites, pale and neutral tone woods, linen, stone and other matte textures make a home office feel bright without glare.
Natural light makes a big difference too. If you can, place your desk near a window so you can catch daylight through the day.
3. Add a Bit of Life
A small plant on a shelf or beside your monitor brings more balance to the room than you’d think. Greenery softens harder lines, improves air quality and helps the space feel lived in. Even one or two plants in simple pots are enough to change the atmosphere.
4. Mix Texture and Craft
Not everything has to match. A mix of wood, linen, ceramic and metal adds quiet variety and stops the room feeling too perfect. Handmade details, like a desk with rounded edges, a hand finished shelf or a woven mat, make the space feel personal rather than put together.
5. Think Beyond the Desk
Shelves and bookcases often get overlooked, but they make a big difference to how a room feels and functions. A few wall shelves above your desk can hold books, plants or bits of kit you reach for often, while keeping the surface clear. A wooden bookcase adds balance to a workspace and gives it some warmth and height. Both help you stay organised without crowding the space.
At Pastos & Co, we make every piece to order, from desks and shelving to full workspace setups. If you’re planning a new home office or want to create something custom, get in touch and we’ll help design it to fit your space and the way you work.
