How to design the perfect home office?
Planning on working from home?
While working from home may sound very exciting for the comforts and the flexibility it brings, there are a couple of things one should take care of while designing a home office space. Would you be able to work if you are in a poorly lit room on a cozy bean bag? A home office will enhance productivity if it is designed right. It cannot be too casual or within the home environment. It should be separated from the normal on-going or distractions at home. Divider walls or portable screens can be used to separate the bustling are from the work area. Divider walls with book cases not only help in separating the space but also work as great storage solutions. Depending on the purpose of your space and nature of your job, your space should be designed.
Consider asking yourself some questions such as what would you be doing in that space. Will there be external clients visiting your space? Will you be video conferencing, how much storage will you require for important files, stationery and other important tools. Such questions are necessary to be answered before designing a space intelligently.
Make sure that you select a space that is comfortable and not too squeezy. Since you will spend maximum time working from home, it is important that you choose a space that is inviting, and which keeps you away from the noisy environment at home It is important that you space allows you to be productive by restricting traffic flow near your room. It is important that you provide enough space for things that you would require on daily basis at work.
Choose your furniture carefully. Consider all the items that you will require in your home office before spending a fortune on buying furniture. Choose the chair to start with, while designing your home office. We strongly recommend that you sit on the chair before buying one. Always choose the one with a strong lumbar support. It is important to choose a chair that has been ergonomically designed to promote health and well-being. Each component of the chair you choose must be adjustable. For a good quality chair that is worth your investment.
The purpose of the desk is to hold the computer/ laptop and allow for smooth flow of activities. There are many types of desks you can choose from but go with a standing height and adjustable desk to go with the chair. Fixed-height desks are responsible for back pains. Go with a robust, stylish and long-lasting that goes with the theme of your home office. Things that you may want to consider is a flexible footrest, a padded wrist rest to ensure that you do not experience pain while sitting and working for long hours. This enhances the work experience and boosts productivity.
Make sure that the space is sufficiently lit and doesn’t cause strain in the eye. Poorly lit area and obstruct the flow of ideas and cause depression in some causes. A yellow cast illumination is a balance between cool to warm light and is ideal. Daylight is the most desired and optimal form of light that can be used to light up a space. Ideally, your home office should have a window which allows natural light to flow inside the room and brighten up a space. You can enhance the lighting of a room artificially by placing a mirror and painting all the walls in a light colour. Use a combination of general lighting and task lighting to brighten up the space in the evening. Use supplemental desk lamp to shine down on the paperwork rather than the computer screen. Strategically place your desk alongside the window instead of in front of the window to avoid the glare of the screen which strains the eye.
Your home office should reflect your personality and style so make sure you add some artwork or notes above your desk and computer screen. Don’t place a TV unit on the wall unless absolutely necessary. There is a possibility of tuning out from work and getting distracted. Place some motivational or inspiring quotes on a pin board hung on the wall that keeps motivating you to do great things at work. This will add a suave touch to your space and personalize the experience for you.
Add hanging shelves for books and other important office equipments that you read for professional purposes. This will also ensure that your desk is tidy and clutter-free. It is a great way to keep things in place and keep them organized. Use vertical file folders to stack papers and important files so that these things are available within arm’s reach. An organized space can make a space feel distracting, so ensure that you have sufficient storage to keep your place clutter-free and clean.
Colour plays an important role in affecting your mood, productivity and creativity. Thus, it is important to choose colours that boost your productivity. One can choose to go with neutral hues such as grey , white or tan which look best with wooden furniture. This gives a very formal and sophisticated look to a space.
Blues, greens and violets are considered cool colours. These colours make people occupying the space feel relaxed and calm. It could also induce sleep. So, avoid using such colours in your home office. It’s a good colour to have in a bedroom, but not an ideal office colour.
Green colour is generally considered to be neutral. It makes one concentrate on work and boosts productivity as it evokes a feeling of freshness.
Yellow on the other hand is more pleasant, warm and inviting. It makes one feel optimistic. It grabs attention and can make one feel happy. Don’t opt for a very bright shade of yellow, which can become very overbearing and can make one feel anxious.
There is no rule of thumb involved in choosing colours. It is subject to the occupant’s desires.
Make sure that the space you choose to work in is designed in such a way that it reflects your interest and personality. It must be a projection of your soul and style. It must accommodate your needs and requirements and promote beautiful thinking. It must make you feel good about working and help you clear your thoughts and focus. It must positively influence you to reach great heights. Hire us to help you design your dream home office today!
