Experts Advice: How to Create an Eco-Friendly Home Office

A 2023 consumer survey by NielsenIQ revealed that more than three quarters of US consumers say it is important to live a sustainable lifestyle. This has risen significantly from less than six out of 10 five years ago, and has coincided with the sharp upturn in people working and studying from home since the events of 2020 and 2021.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that most householders want to take an eco-conscious approach to home office design. This encompasses everything from the materials they choose for office furnishings (like our FSC certified stand up desk range) to energy-efficient lighting to creating a workspace that enhances the work experience by harmonizing with nature.

A sustainability-focused ethos

Millennials, those born in the 1980s and early 1990s, make up the largest adult population segment by population. This is also the generation that is most likely to pursue hybrid working practices. In other words, a high proportion of the people looking to design or improve a home office fall within the millennial generation. 

This is important because millennials have very different aspirations and priorities compared to those who came before them. The 2024 Deloitte Gen Z and Millennial survey found that environmental sustainability, a healthy work/life balance and health/wellness were all in the top five priorities.

Author and academic Fredda Herz Brown described millennials as the entitlement generation. This was not meant as a slur, but in the sense that this generation has been spared the austerity in which older generations were raised and therefore sees the material things for which they worked so hard as automatic entitlements.

Millennials are less driven by wealth and possessions than their parents or grandparents were at the same age. 

Sustainable thinking for office design

So where does this come into home office design? Taking an eco-first approach checks many of the boxes that matter to todays 30-something adults. 

• Using sustainable materials like wood and eco-friendly paint.
• Choosing office furniture that is made from sustainable and responsibly sourced materials.
• Making optimum use of natural light for improved wellbeing and to reduce energy consumption.
• Using low-energy office equipment such as LED lighting and a laptop or tablet instead of a PC
• Establishing paperless working practices
• Incorporating plants into the office design

Approaching eco-friendly office design from different angles

We’ve sought input from experts across a diverse range of areas and asked them to share their knowledge and advice about creating a home office that delivers a productive working environment while having a minimal impact on the environment. 

What are the most important factors to consider when designing an eco-friendly home office?

I recommend focusing on the following six areas:

1. Use furniture that is made from renewable and responsibly sourced materials. Wood is a perfect example.
2. Cultivate energy-saving habits.Avoid using light bulbs and electronics because they can be a massive drain on our energy and resources. We should also make sure we turn off the lights and computers when we leave our home office and not even leave them plugged in. 
3. Introduce plants into your workspace. Plants can create a healthier workspace for you while also improving the air quality in the room.
4. Aim to achieve a paperless office. As well as helping the environment, it will save you time and increase your productivity.
5. Remember and implement the 5Rs: Reduce, reuse, recycle, repair, and refuse.
6. Adopt a minimalist mindset. This mindset means getting rid of all the clutter and making sure that your workstation is clean often.

Jacky Xu, Chief Operating Officer at Maid Sailors

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What are the biggest barriers to implementing sustainable home office practices?

The biggest barrier is a lack of knowledge about sustainable working practices. This leads to people pushing sustainability down the priority list, a phenomenon that is exacerbated if there is a lack of underlying commitment, which I would say is the second barrier.

The third is a perception that sustainable practices mean extra cost and investment, even though the reverse is often true, as adopting a sustainable mindset typically reduces energy costs, leading to financial savings.

Jamie Johnson, co-founder of FJP Investment

What are the most eco friendly materials for a home office?

The environmental impact a piece of furniture will have depends on what happens at the beginning of its life cycle during the design process. Creating sustainable office furniture all starts with first choosing sustainable materials. Choosing products made from renewable materials like wood, bamboo and wool or sustainable metals is an excellent place to start.

But recycled materials are always going to be more sustainable than fresh materials. And as manufacturers and designers continue to put sustainability at the forefront of the design process, we can expect to see more innovative sustainable materials being used in future design and more carbon-neutral products being produced.

Dave Revis, Head of Marketing at IE

Why is natural light important to eco office design?

Optimizing natural light usage in buildings can cut energy consumption by up to 40%. Less reliance on artificial lighting means a significant reduction in energy consumption and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions.

This directly contributes to combating climate change and promotes the development of green buildings. Beyond its energy benefits, it positively impacts the health and well-being of occupants. Natural light helps reduce eye strain and headaches, enabling employees to stay focused and energetic throughout the day.

Armelle Le Bihan, Founder & CEO of GBCE

Can eco improvements help a property sale?

Eco improvements can definitely help a property sale. One of the biggest reasons for this is that eco improvements can lower the cost of various bills in one's property. In today's economic times, amidst high interest rates, homeowners are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs as mortgage qualification demands are at their highest and prospective homeowners need to do what they can to qualify.

By completing eco improvements such as upgrading windows or switching to LED bulbs one can enjoy a reduction in heating and cooling bills thus making a house more affordable and thus having more people compete for that particular house, therefore selling for more and faster. Further, this point is exemplified even more in multifamily and commercial real estate where expenses directly impact CAP rate which is largely used for valuation of larger multifamily and commercial real estate.

Sebastian Jania, owner and founder at Ontario Property Buyers

How do you reduce environmental impact despite being an online service provider?

One of the web hosting companies that we recommend our clients use is A2 hosting, who go to extra lengths to reduce the environmental impact of their servers. This includes recycling old servers, hot aisle/cold aisle layout in their data centers, and variable speed drives on all fans and motors.

At Hog the Web, we are a 100% remote team which eliminates all the extra energy and transportation required by a central office. As the business owner, I also use the revenue from Hog the Web to help fund local environmental efforts and programs, like public tree planting programs, and local farms.

LM of Hog the Web: Web Design & SEO

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What should home buyers consider when viewing a home office or study?

When viewing a home office or study, buyers should focus on three key aspects. First, consider the noise level—ensure the room is not located near a busy street or noisy areas of the house to maintain a quiet, productive environment.

Next, assess the amount of natural light the room receives, as good lighting can enhance focus and create a more comfortable workspace. Finally, ensure the room has enough power outlets and internet connectivity to support all necessary devices and work tools.

Marissa Schulze, Managing Director at Rise High

How can owners show their home office to its best advantage for selling?

When it comes to selling your home, a standout home office can seal the deal for buyers looking for that perfect work-from-home setup. First, clear the clutter—nobody wants to see last week’s coffee mugs or piles of paperwork. Keep it tidy, but not sterile.

A desk with a neat setup (think a laptop, a chic lamp, and maybe a plant) screams productivity. Highlight good lighting—buyers love natural light, so open those blinds, or add a stylish desk lamp if the room needs a boost. Bonus points if you can show off some clever storage solutions to keep the space organized. Next, let’s talk style. Neutral, inviting colors like soft grays or warm whites make the space feel bigger and brighter.

Dress it up with a pop of personality—artwork or a cool bookshelf—but keep it minimal. Buyers want to imagine their dream office, so think Pinterest-worthy but not overly personal. With a little effort, you’ll have them picturing themselves crushing their Zoom calls and closing deals from your awesome office space. That’s a win for you and your home’s selling potential!

Jason Fox, Owner and Realtor at The Madrona Group