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Let’s be realistic: when it comes to home office design, the majority of us are relegated to a spare bedroom, a quiet corner, or a shed, if you’re lucky. There are a few essentials to take into consideration when setting up a productive workspace. It doesn’t matter if you work part-time or full-time; it needs to feel comfortable and inviting to get work done efficiently. Read on for some useful tips on how to create the perfect home working environment.
Table of Contents
Home Office Design: Location, Location, Location
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Where you set up your office is key to its success. Ideally, you should be aiming for a quiet area away from daily distractions. As ridiculous as this may sound, the cupboard under the stairs offers privacy; it might lack Wi-Fi signal and legroom, and setting up in the kitchen may be detrimental to both productivity and waistline. So whenever possible, aim for a quiet, well-lit space that’s away from the daily flow and distractions of your household. Another important factor to take into account is when you work. You don’t want to wake up family on a midnight video call.
Elbow Room
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While aiming for the Oval Office’s expansive dimensions might be overambitious, it’s easy to underestimate the space you’ll truly need. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s important you ask yourself how easy it is to move from side to side, stand up, and sit down without causing serious bodily harm. To avoid this, use the same key measurements professional designers use to lay out a workstation, allow at least 150 cm in width and 210 cm in depth.
Home Office Design: Furniture Follies
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While working from a beanbag with a folding lap tray might seem appealing, your back may protest over time. It’s a good idea to install a properly sized desk, ideally between 120 cm and 150 cm in width and 70 cm to 75 cm in height. Invest in a good-quality chair that is comfortable and adjustable if possible. Your neck and back will thank you.
Shelf Indulgence
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Keep calm and file on. All interior designers know that clever storage makes for a neat and tidy-looking interior. An uncluttered working environment helps with productivity, so be sure to include enough shelving, filing cabinets, or cupboards for your storage needs. When planning this, bear in mind your workload: what comes in, where will it stay while being worked on, and where does it go when complete? Comfort is a key element. Keep your current work within arm’s reach. Locate your filing system nearby. If you use reference materials, place them on a shelf or cupboard near your desk, close at hand.
Home Office design: Bright Ideas
Source: Shiraz Jamali Architects
Vitamin D is your best friend, and when it comes to lighting, natural is best. Whenever possible, place your desk facing a window or in a location where your computer screen will not be affected. Reduce glare by installing translucent shades or blinds without darkening your room. Mirrors are an excellent way to enhance natural light. As well as ceiling lights, it’s a good idea to layer your lights for those darker evenings. Table lamps, wall, picture, and bookcase lights will add a warm, elegant effect to your office.
Couch to Conference
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While not everyone hosts clients at home, accommodating meetings is manageable if needed. You don’t need a hotel-sized boardroom or even a separate seating area, just one or two comfortable chairs that are simply pulled up to your desk or in another space with a small coffee table.
Home Office Design: Untangle Your Wrangle
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Tame your technology. Nothing makes a home office look or feel more cluttered than wires hanging from your desk and running everywhere, not to mention how it interrupts workflow. Here are some simple tips to help you take control:
- Add a grommet in your desktop to lead any wires from your desk down below
- Attach any visible wires to the underside of your desk or down along a desk leg
- Gather loose wires along the floor together with a simple cord tamer
- Invest in both a wireless printer and a wireless mouse
- Add a wireless router – you’ll reduce your wires by half
- Never waste time looking for your phone charger again; opt for a wireless solution
Fun and Flair
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Working from home often means working solo, so it’s essential to infuse your home office design with pleasant elements for motivation, ensuring they align with your home’s overall style. Take into consideration your personal style and what inspires you. This could be a favorite piece of artwork, a collection of objects, a bright rug, or an invigorating paint color. Don’t forget plants; these aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, but it’s proven that they improve well-being both emotionally and physically.
Your home office should reflect your personality while promoting productivity and providing a comfortable environment to work from. Creating a pleasant workspace you love isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s an investment in self-care.