Room Refresh: Simple Changes for a Healthier Home – The Home Office Edition
We help you to create a healthier and more sustainable workspace with small changes that support both productivity and wellbeing.
WORDS Elissa Rose
Whether it’s a full-time setup or a multifunctional corner, the home office has become a fixture in many of our lives, particularly with more people working from home. However, this often-overlooked space can quietly undermine our health and comfort. Because we spend long hours sitting, thinking and working here, the design and materials we surround ourselves with matter.
In this edition of the Room Refresh series, WLLW looks at practical ways to make your home office cleaner, healthier and more intentional – supporting not just productivity, but also peace of mind.
Home in Ixelles, Belgium designed by JW Architects. Photo courtesy of Thomas De Bruyne
Swap Particleboard Furniture for Solid Wood or Steel
Many desks, shelves and filing cabinets are made from MDF or particleboard, which often contain formaldehyde-based adhesives and other synthetic resins that off-gas Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) over time. In enclosed spaces, this can reduce indoor air quality and contribute to fatigue, headaches or irritation, as well as more serious concerns such as liver damage.
Healthier Change:
Choose furniture made from solid wood, steel or reclaimed materials finished with low-VOC oils or water-based lacquers. If a new purchase isn’t in the budget, vintage or second-hand pieces may have already off-gassed and are often more durable than mass-produced flat-pack alternatives.
Reconsider Your Chair Materials
Upholstered office chairs made from synthetic foam, bonded leather or PVC can release carcinogenic chemicals into the air, especially when exposed to body heat or sunlight. Over time, these materials can degrade, trapping dust and emitting odors.
Healthier Change:
Look for chairs made with natural latex cushioning, wool or organic cotton upholstery, and metal or FSC-certified wood frames. If you already have a chair you like, consider adding a breathable, natural-fiber slipcover to reduce direct exposure to synthetic materials.
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A Brooklyn Study designed by Vellum Studio. Photo courtesy of Nicole Franzen |
Californian home designed by Jenni Kayne Home. Photo courtesy of Michael Clifford Photography |
Improve Lighting for Eye Health and Mood
Harsh overhead lights and screen glare can contribute to digital eye strain, headaches and disrupted circadian rhythms, especially if you're working into the evening.
Healthier Change:
Position your desk near a window for natural light, and use task lighting with warm, adjustable LED bulbs. Choose flicker-free lamps with color temperatures between 2700K and 4000K for a balance of clarity and comfort. Blue-light-blocking filters or glasses can also help reduce eye fatigue when working on screens for extended periods.
Keep Air Moving and Fresh
Offices can easily become stagnant, especially in closed rooms where electronic equipment generates heat and collects dust. Poor air circulation can lead to brain fog, fatigue and sensitivity to indoor pollutants.
Healthier Change:
Open windows daily or use a HEPA air purifier to reduce allergens, VOCs and particulate matter. Adding air-purifying plants like peace lilies, spider plants or rubber trees can also support fresher air and a calmer atmosphere.
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London home designed by Daytrip Studio. Photo courtesy of Jake Curtis |
The Kent Avenue Penthouse in Brooklyn designed by Norm Architects. Photo courtesy of Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen |
Minimize Plastic Accessories and Organizers
Pen holders, drawer inserts and document trays are often made from rigid plastics that can off-gas or break down over time, releasing microplastics into the air and dust.
Healthier Change:
Swap plastic desk accessories for alternatives made from metal, wood, cork or sustainably sourced leather. Not only are they more sustainable, but they also bring a softer, more tactile element to your workspace.
Declutter to Support Focus
Visual clutter can overwhelm the mind and increase stress levels, especially when work, life and leisure all take place in the same area. Papers, cables and general mess can also collect dust and allergens.
Healthier Change:
Invest in simple storage solutions that make it easy to keep surfaces clear, like natural-fiber baskets, wall-mounted shelves or modular drawers. Reduce cable chaos with fabric-wrapped cords and clips, and consider a weekly reset to restore order and calm.
Switch to Natural Cleaning Products
Desks, keyboards and devices are high-touch surfaces that often get overlooked during cleaning. Conventional sprays and wipes can contain harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances and quaternary ammonium compounds, which may cause respiratory or skin irritation with regular use.
Healthier Change:
Use natural, plant-based cleaners, such as those made by Koala Eco, with essential oils or unscented formulas. Microfiber cloths and diluted white vinegar work well for screens and surfaces.
Discover lighting and accessories at the WLLW Shop.
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Bronze Raku SH8 Lamp by &Tradition. Photo courtesy of &Tradition |
Medium 375 Table Lamp. Photo courtesy of Le Klint |
August Sandgren’s Fusion Box and Notebook in Cognac. Photo courtesy of August Sandgren
Feature Image: Maison Leonard apartment in Manhattan designed by Studio Zung. Photo courtesy of Adrian GautPhotography: Thomas De Bruyne, Michael Clifford
Photography, Nicole Franzen, Jake Curtis, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, &Tradition, Le Klint, August Sandgren
