Many are choosing to make home working permanent and starting to invest in creating stylish and professional home offices. Whether it’s in your bedroom or a studio shed, decorating the environment is important. But with limited space and overwhelming options, what should you be prioritising? This guide has put together key considerations for creating your home office, as well as tips and tricks to make the space work well for you.
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Lighting
Your office should have excellent lighting. Not only will this keep you alert, your well-lit face will look better and more professional during video calls. Decide what temperature you want your bulbs to be. Cooler lighting has been shown to boost productivity, but you may want warmer options when you are feeling stressed or looking to wind down.
When choosing a location for your office, an area with plenty of windows should be your first choice. Natural light is gentler on your eyes and puts employees in a better mood. Plus, having a view of the outside world from your desk will give you a sense of space and make the room feel more open.
Comfort
If your place of work had old, uncomfortable chairs and poorly positioned desks, chances are you would complain to HR about poor working conditions. Why aren’t you demanding the same standards for your home working environment?
With growing consensus that sitting is bad for your health, many are embracing the standing desk. If you want to try a new style of working, there are attractive and flexible options available. A standing desk might not be for you, but do consider ergonomics when purchasing your chair and desk so that you can maintain good posture.
Good office furniture should take up a large percentage of your budget. A poorly positioned chair can lead to back problems, neck ache and tension headaches. Ideally, you should choose a chair that you can adjust to your desired height, and depth, while offering support for your arms and thighs.
Consider how much space you need for your work surface. Do you like to spread out and work on multiple things at once? An overcrowded desk may feel irritating and claustrophobic, so make sure to choose one that you can stretch out on.
Decorating
Many agree a minimalist approach is best for work areas, but minimal does not have to mean boring. Start with neutral tones as a base, then add things that bring you joy.
While you shouldn’t overwhelm your space with personal items, don’t let your workspace become too impersonal. Incorporating non-work items, like souvenirs or photos of family, will make you smile and remind you what you have been working hard for.
What colours inspire you or make you happy? Many associate blue with calmness and intelligence. But did you know that yellow can energise you and boost creativity? Think about what colours make you feel great and strategically add pops of this throughout your space.
As well as looking trendy, studies show that plants can increase productivity, reduce fatigue, and put employees in a better mood. The snake plant is a great low maintenance option, hailed for its air purifying properties. Or try a jade plant, also known as a money tree because it brings wealth to its owners.
Clutter
Disorganised spaces increase stress and affect ability to focus. Create logical solutions to short term clutter, such as letter trays and desk tidies, and make time for regular spring cleans.
Unattractive, tangled wiring can be a disruption to your peaceful space. Cable management boxes will keep wires and plugs out of the way. Use clips and hooks at the side of your desk to keep your cables organised and easy to find.
If you are easily irritated by mess, go paper free and store as much as you can digitally. A desk with plenty of draws or shelving units will keep everything you need within arm’s reach while helping you to stay organised.
Some people work better with physical references away from a screen. But a lot of loose items have the potential to go missing or get damaged. Consider putting up a noticeboard where you can visualise ideas and organise thoughts without it getting in the way of your desk space.
Summary
Your home office is where you will be spending the majority of your waking hours. Make sure that you create a comfortable and inspiring space that you are excited to go to in the mornings.
