Working from home has changed drastically in the past ten years. An influx in technological advancements and the pandemic has caused work from home positions to literally triple since 2014…and they’re not going anywhere.
Although certain industries don’t allow for remote work, many can accommodate it, and if you find yourself as one of those lucky individuals who has a 30 second commute (from the coffeemaker to the study), then making sure that your home office is planned out to be practical and functional is vital for productivity.
Here are a few essentials to take into consideration when designing your own home office:
It’s All About Location
A home office can be located anywhere inside the home- whether it be its own room, a small nook, or even right at the kitchen table. The important part in determining where you set up a work space is to consider when and how you work. If you are a professional, you will want to consider a private, quiet space. You don’t necessarily have to have an entire private room dedicated to work, but if you are multitasking with kids at home, for example, you may want to find a quiet spot (such as your bedroom) to set up a desk space. Alternately, if work is more casual, you can probably get away with a kitchen table setup while you prepare dinner.
If you work from home and plan on having clients stop by, you may want to seriously consider a private space away from the rest of the house that can accommodate your guests while maintaining privacy and professionalism.
Also take into account how you focus while working. Can you withstand any potential distractions? If not, you will want a space tucked away from anything that could grab your attention.
One of my best friends works from home, and she has some insights into the subject:
- If you can, try to position your office space towards a front window so you can see any unexpected visitors. My friend has a pup that barks like crazy when the Amazon delivery driver arrives, so if she can see the truck pulling in while she’s on an important Zoom call, she can shut the door quickly to mitigate any noise/barking that might disrupt the call. This works well for her since we live in the country with little traffic…if you live in a big city and the constant hustle and bustle outside your window distracts you, it might not be the best location for you.
- Come up with a method of indicating to other members of your household whether or not you are available. Most people don’t understand that working from home doesn’t mean you are available whenever- you need to remind them that it’s along the same lines as getting in your car and driving to the office. Your family and friends would never disturb you there unless it was an emergency, right? The same goes for your home office. Nothing drives my friend more crazy than being on an important call and someone walks into her office to ask a question. She has a sign that hangs on the doorknob outside her office door painted with red, yellow, and green, and clips a clothespin on the color that indicates when it’s ok to come in, proceed silently, or don’t disturb at all.
Let There Be Light!
In order to be able to work effectively, you want to make sure you have ample lighting. Natural lighting is going to be the most ideal- it will prevent any eye strain and Vitamin D will boost your mood. A view will make it even better, since greenery is proven to increase productivity and improve focus. Make sure that you position your desk where you wont receive any sunlight that can increase the glare of your computer screen. If the natural lighting is just too intense and making the space too hot while the blinds are open, opt for sheer curtains that will cut any glare or heat without affecting the brightness. Natural lighting will also help cut down on your electricity bills, and I’m all about saving that money for day off activities!
If you just don’t have the ability to have a space that offers natural lighting, there are alternatives that will make sure productivity doesn’t suffer. An overhead ceiling fan with a light should be sufficient, or several floor lamps and wall sconces. Don’t forget a desk lamp for task lighting. Also, take into account the type of bulbs you use. Neutral white (4000K-5000K) will provide a balanced, natural daylight effect. Avoid overly warm or cool lighting, as both can strain the eyes. Consider adjustable lighting with dimmable bulbs or utilize a smart system that can change automatically depending on the time of day. Make sure you still give yourself a nice view when taking a break from the computer- a nice big painting or a collage of positive images and quotes can offer a moment of eye rest and motivation.
Regardless of the type of lighting you are using, make sure the rest of the space is bright and uplifting. Light colored walls will make the space seem brighter and more open, while dark colors can seem more stifling.
Step Into My…Comfort Zone?
There is one area of the office that I think you should spare no expense- the office chair. You’re going to be spending the majority of your day in this position and you do not want to end the day with back pain. Look for a chair with lumbar support, and make sure you can sit with your feet flat on the floor, knees at a 90 degree angle, and arms at desk height. Some chairs even feature a headrest, which can be useful at suppressing neck pain if you work those long hours. I am a fan of office chairs with arm rests to alleviate any potential shoulder or wrist pain and high density or memory foam for long lasting bum comfort. If you need to move constantly between different bookcases, filing cabinets, and your desk, a 360 degree swivel chair is a MUST. Make sure that you have smooth-rolling casters which glide easily access both hard flooring and carpet (they are super cheap and easy to install yourself, if needed).
When it comes to choosing your desk, make sure you have enough space for your computer and all its attachments, as well as any storage space you may need. Most desks are 28-30 inches tall, which is suitable for most people. The type of work you are doing is going to determine how wide of a desk you need. If you are operating with a laptop, 40-48 inches should be sufficient. A 48-60 inch desk will work best for those operating off a single monitor computer while 60-72 inches is best for a dual monitor setup. If you need more storage space, consider an L-shaped desk. All of these sizes are available with filing drawers or cabinet space.
Conquer Your Technology
When working from home it is absolutely essential that you have a reliable connection to the rest of the world. Make sure you have a great internet connection, and consider a wireless router to eliminate those ugly, cluttered wires hanging around. Think about opting for a wireless mouse or printer as well. If you have to hardwire, you can use a wire tamer, run the wires down the leg of your desk, or install a grommet to feed the wires below the desktop. And make sure you have plenty of outlets for any other devices you may need! (Check out my post on outlet placement here).
A Place for Everything
Keeping your space neat and organized will not only look pleasing on the eyes but it improves your mental clarity, which in turn increases productivity. Make sure you have enough drawers, cabinets, or shelf space to store all your necessities. Your desktop should only be used for current tasks at hand. A stackable filing rack can help keep those tasks organized. If possible, digitize to save space. Shelves are great for storing the less commonly used items, like reference materials and manuals. Floating shelves work great if space is limited. Also, think about the flow of your workday. Where do tasks start? Where do they end? I find color coding files and information works wonders when it comes to organizing my flow.
Personalize
Your workspace doesn’t have to be so work focused that it lacks character- this is your house, you know, and your office space should reflect your personality! Make sure you use colors that make you happy and get you motivated. Place artwork or photos on the walls that are personal and meaningful. Invest in some patterned or unique office supplies that take away from the day-to-day mundaneness.
Also, remember how we talked about greenery improving productivity? Well, having actual plants inside your home can help reduce natural airborne pollutants that can cause headaches and fatigue! You don’t even have to worry about adding more work and care to your workday- certain varieties are awesome for office spaces (both big and small). For example, pothos and snake plants thrive on neglect and all different types of lighting environments, making them excellent choices for those who want the benefits without the added chore (like me).
Do you have an awesome office space design? Any hacks or tips you’d like to share? Comment down below!
What’s up, just wanted to tell you, I liked this article.
It was practical. Keep on posting!