Whether you’re self-employed or you just need a quiet spot to focus, a dedicated office space is a useful addition to the home. Setting up a new workstation or upgrading your existing home office can be a simple and inexpensive project. Get ready for a day’s work in the comfort of your own home and avoid Mondayitis with these simple home office design ideas and tips.
Choosing the right home office space
Home office location
Choose a spot in your home that is set apart from your living space. Use this space only for work, and the rest of your house should stay dedicated to leisure. If you happen to build your office in a place that can be seen by visitors, you might find it handy to install some sort of decorative screens.
Lighting
Lighting is important in a working space as it can affect your concentration and energy levels. If your home office space attracts natural light, position your desk in a spot that will maximise natural sunlight. Alternatively, ensure your room is adequately lit with a combination of overhead lights and well placed lamps.
Layout and storage
Home offices aren’t usually swimming in square footage, which means planning the layout is imperative. For starters, your home office desk will likely be the place you spend most of your time, so you’ll need to consider different options for organisation and storage, making sure everything important is within reach.
The idea behind good organisation and storage is also to give you ample room to spread out. There’s nothing worse than feeling cramped, which means you might need to get creative with the space
Home office furniture
The following items can be of great use in any home office:
- Desk — The home office desk is the centrepiece of the entire room – it’s the place where you’ll do all of the work and store most of your equipment. Make sure you get a sturdy one with plenty of space for your office activities.
- Chair — What good is a desk if you have nowhere to sit? Office dwellers tend to sit for long periods of time, so you want to make sure you purchase a home office chair that is comfortable and provides great lumbar support.
- Hutch — A hutch is a great addition to a home office because it provides extra space to store supplies.
- Filing cabinets — Filing cabinets come in a variety of styles and shapes, and are a vital part of the office space for storing important documents and files.
- Bookcases and shelving — Bookcases and shelving are useful if you have a lot of reference materials that you frequently use. Shelving will keep them readily within your reach. Remember to go bigger when you’re picking out the bookshelf – stuff will pile up over time.
- Extra seating — Will you frequently have clients in your home office? Make sure you have comfortable seating for your guests.
Choosing your home office furniture
When purchasing office furniture, there are a few factors that you will need to consider. Be sure that you are choosing pieces that not only fit your style, but also comfortably fit your space. Comfort is a huge factor for many office dwellers. In order to increase your productivity, make sure that you are comfortable in the space and have free range of motion as you work.
Making your home office energy efficient
You’re already cutting down on carbon emissions from your car by not commuting, but how do you make your home office green as well? Here are some sustainability tips to keep in mind when designing your office:
- Pick a room with windows – Using natural light will help you save on electricity bills. If you work in an enclosed room, consider installing a skylight.
- Buy energy efficient items – Use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last longer and use less energy, therefore cutting costs and helping the environment. Also consider buying laptops and other devices with good energy saving ratings.
- Don’t waste electricity – Don’t leave your computer or lights running when you leave your office.
- Recycle – Opt for recycled paper and other office supplies, and remember to recycle any paper you use.
- Utilise the cloud – Instead of printing documents you just plan to file, use cloud storage, flash drives, or your computer’s hard drive to organise your files. Don’t waste paper unnecessarily!
Add personal touches
A home space allows you to enjoy an efficient and productive work routine in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Don’t style your home office to look just like your old corporate desk space but personalise your workstation and be creative with the way you decorate your space.
Add a touch of cosiness with a soft rug to maximise the benefits of working from home or decorate a spare wall with family photos and memories to keep you motivated for longer. If in doubt, occupy your wall space with functional decorations such as colourful wall calendars or unique clocks that serve a dual purpose in your office space. Plants are a decorative addition to a space that will keep your space fresh and lively, also helping you remain focused and alert.