Choosing to work at home has never been more rewarding, and with the advent of internet technology, the possibilities are endless. However, for employers who have transitioned from working at the office to being home-based employees, getting into the mood to work can be difficult—especially if you have limited space in your home. Kids running around, dogs barking, and other distractions in your home can affect your productivity.
The great thing is that you can transform your home office into a conducive and inspiring workspace with simple decorative items. Adding ornamental items helps you become functional and can induce creativity and interest in the look and feel of your home office.
Key Design Features
Whatever reason you choose to have a home office, working at home means “working” as much as in a normal office space. For this reason, you will need to set up a corner or space in your home that encourages you not to slack off, be productive, and be free from distractions.
Look For the Right Spot. Squeezing an office space in a living area can be challenging, especially in tight spaces. Choose an area with the most minimal household or neighborhood noise. It would also save you energy bills to have good daylighting but without the glare all throughout the day.
For homes with generous spaces, you can choose an unused den, attic, porch or an extended room for your garden or lawn. Meanwhile, for tighter spaces, you can choose down below a flight of stairs or just any corner of a room, but you’ll need a high divider and screens to create privacy.
Create Privacy. Defining your work area from your living space helps you focus and organize. Sliding panels are a good choice for both large and small spaces. If you have the budget, choose a sturdy framing for frosted glass or acrylic sheets to hold onto. Foldable dividers, drop-down curtains, and high shelving are some of the cheaper options.
Provide Ample Storage. Know how much storage you need. If you’re more organized, you can choose open storage, but if you have less time to keep your stuff tidy, enclosed storage will work better for you.
Choosing Home Office Furniture. Since most work today is paperless, a simple desk for a laptop and a comfortable chair are adequate enough. However, if your space allows, you can place a side desk for taking notes or for placing a vase of flowers and decor to pump up your office area.
Collapsible desks and chairs, as well as shelves on wheels, can be great options when you are still trying to find the right spot in your home. You can also purchase a lazy Susan Organizer to organize smaller office items, such as pens.
Whatever furniture you choose, make sure they are comfortable to use. Chairs and desks should be ergonomically designed so you don’t need to slouch or hunch when working on your laptop. Adjustable chairs and tables should be high on your checklist.
Selecting the Perfect Colour Scheme. Choose a color scheme that you’re comfortable with, but if unsure, select colors that won’t drizzle your work energy. Red and tangerine are perfect for pumping up your desk area. If bright colors are too much for you, the blues and green hues might suit you better.
For those who don’t like vibrant colors on their palettes, the sleek grey, brass, and black combo might be a perfect choice. The color scheme will work perfectly with industrially made furniture. If you have a special piece of furniture or an interesting piece of artwork in your home office, work around it for your color scheme.
Reduce Household Noise. Install sound buffering or acoustic panels to eliminate, if not dampen, the noise. Soundproof tiles work well in apartments and other shared residences. If you’d rather go for a cheaper option, consider purchasing a pair of sound-blocking headphones, a good investment since they can be used outside of your workspace as well.
Create an Inviting Space. Like any day at the office, a workstation near your home can be a tempting time to get listless. You may need to update your office abode look to make it more inspiring simply by adding a few touches.
Start by choosing a comfortable chair. You can select the typically adjustable office armchair or opt for an unconventional version, such as an egg-shaped one.
Photo credit: Myny
