The popularity of working from home is increasing. Census. According to Gov, in the past decade, the number of Americans who work remotely at least once a week has increased by a staggering 35% (that’s nearly 4.2 million Americans!) In the past decade. It is essential to have a well-planned, well-designed and organized home office space. A clutter-free and well-organized home office can make a huge difference in your productivity, stress levels, and overall well-being. This guide will help you design the perfect home office space.
1.)Choose the right place:
It may not be as simple as you think. Although it may seem that the corner in the living area makes the most sense geographically, you should also consider what level of distractions you might be dealing with in the future. Unexpected distractions can include children, pets, phones, televisions, and telephones. You should choose a space that is quiet, has minimal traffic, and offers little distractions.
It is essential to be able and capable of separating work and home life. This ability is crucial to reducing stress and reducing the chance of burnout. A formal living room or dining room that isn’t being used could be better than a spare bedroom.
2.)Complement, not Contradict
Your home office should complement the rest of your home. You can keep your home’s traditional design but use warm tones and lots of warm colors. Your home office space should blend seamlessly into your home’s structure and not stand out as a “cold, soulless cubicle.” It is essential to avoid clashing design themes. You may love the desk that your mother-in-law gave you, but it might not be worth it if it interferes with the flow of space. Your home office should be comfortable and easy to use, not a shock to the eyes.
3.) Built-in storage:
Although it may seem unnecessary or expensive to include built-in organization or storage in a home office, the option to go to a local shop and buy a desk or shelf (with assembly necessary) is always available. However, adding furniture to a home could cause clutter. And clutter is the enemy of a home office. Your designer may suggest that you incorporate built-in shelves, cabinets, or drawers into your space. This will increase the integration of your home office into your home and avoid any potential problems with buying organizational tools that will only make it worse.
4.) Invest in a good chair if you don’t have any other investments.
The perfect office chair is a crucial element of any home office. You should not skimp when it comes to choosing the right office chair. It will be a large part of your day spent in the chair so ensure it is comfortable and functional.
5.) Disregard the Norm:
Your space should be unique and “you.” If you don’t like the muted office beige, you can paint your area or accent it with a color that you love. We have already discussed how color affects your mood and how it affects productivity at work. Your space should be comfortable, relaxing, functional, durable, and tailored to your wants and needs. You don’t have to be timid. As long as your space is available, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t put in a snack bowl or perch for your cat to rest on. Or even a place to lay a piece of grass underneath your desk so that you can remove your shoes and feel the grass beneath your feet while you work. You have the freedom to break with conventions when it comes down to designing if you work from home.
6.) Don’t underestimate the beauty of a view.
We could all set up our homes to look out over the city skyline or the beach. But, we must use what we have. You will feel more at ease if you have something to look at when you aren’t looking at a computer. While a window is the best option, a painting or picture you enjoy can give you those needed mental breaks. It’s not something we like to stare at, so even if you don’t have the perfect view, make the most of it.
7.) Illumination:
Make sure you have plenty of natural light. Natural light is best, but there are only so many hours of daylight. Make sure your office has bright enough, well-lit light. You’ll likely need more light than you think, so it is worth adding light fixtures. Having more light can reduce eye strain and help prevent headaches. Make sure you choose a bulb with a light that is appropriate for your needs. A bright, pale light that is closer to the blue spectrum can provide more energy and produce ample light. Keep your minimum light level at 900 Lumens (depending on the space available) and ensure that you have easy access to your light source from a sitting position.
8.) Ergonomics is your best friend
This word is often used, but it’s essential to make it a priority when setting up your home office. It is possible to save time and energy, as well as avoid severe long-term issues by designing your home office as ergonomically as possible. Studies show that sitting in an unnatural position can cause serious health problems. You can protect your safety, your comfort, your well-being, and your health by making sure your space is friendly to your body.
9.) Greenery:
You might consider incorporating office plants into the design of your home office. A few plants can make a big difference in your office space. Living greenery can make your office more pleasant, improve the air quality, decrease stress levels, increase productivity, and reduce indoor pollution. Plants can be a welcome distraction, provided you are careful to water and prune them.
10.) Cable Management
Sometimes, these things are overlooked and often done in an unjust manner. A cluttered desk or floor with cables can be more distracting than cluttering up a home office. Velcro cable ties can be your friend! Discuss with your designer ways to conceal a lot of cables. Your space should be able to accommodate any connections you may need. You never know when you might need to change your equipment layout. You’ll find yourself back at square one with a bunch of cables if the cables are difficult to access or add to. It is essential to make your lines more accessible and efficient.
You should spend as much money as you can afford to build a home office. It is essential for your mental health, productivity, mood, and mental well-being to have a work environment that you enjoy and does not add stress. Your home office will be where you spend more time than any other rooms or spaces in your house. Make sure it reflects your personality and is a perfect fit for you. You can experiment with interior design.