Creating A Successful Home Office – There is a huge possibility that many people will continue working from home even after the coronavirus crisis. You could be one of the lucky ones who will embrace this set up in the future.
We want to help our readers and customers create a dedicated workspace that can be used in the long run.
We previously dropped a bunch of useful tips in setting up your home office and many of you found that article useful, which is why we collaborated with drafting professionals to bring you another article about designing your home office!
Here are some tips to remember:
Figuring out the best layout for your home office
Before doing anything else, take a good look at the room or the spot where you plan to put your office.
Where are the electrical outlets?
Where are the telephone and internet wall ports?
Where is the nearest operable window? (if there’s any)
These three things are usually the most important spots to identify when planning the layout of your home office. These help you find the best position for your desk and your chair.
Here are a few layouts to consider:
If you have a separate room for an office…
- Position your desk and chair so you can see everything.
- Face away from the window and let soft natural light come in over your shoulder and illuminate your desk in the morning. This helps reduce eyestrain.
If you have a dedicated office, but you’re sharing it with your partner/relative…
- Shared home offices are usual right now. Often couples home office ideas work great as it’s a form of collaboration between family members so they can effectively be working at home.
- Always have separate desks and position them in a way that’s more comfortable for the both of you. You can face each other or not see the other person at all while working.
- Position your desk and chair so you can see the entire room.
If you squeeze in your office space in the living area…
- Turn your back from the sofa to avoid distraction.
- Put up your desk against the wall to maximise space, ideally near the outlets to avoid tangled up wires.
If you squeeze in your office space in the bedroom…
- Turn your back from the bed to boost productivity. Out of sight, out of mind.
- Try not to work on the bed.
Getting fresh air and daylight
Daylighting is very beneficial especially when your job requires you to spend long hours in front of the computer. However, sunlight gets harsher and hotter by the hour. It needs to be filtered or blocked when needed. Install curtains or blinds on your window so you can control the light coming into your office.
Letting a little bit of fresh air inside the house is highly recommended as well. Stale indoor air is unhealthy and uncomfortable. Open the windows so new air can come in and circulate around the room.
Choosing the colour scheme to use
This boils down to your preference. What color combinations would you like to use? What mood or vibe would you want to feel whenever you’re in the office?
For a more classic and timeless appeal: go for warm neutrals, high contrast black and white, cozy brown, or the easy white and grey.
For a trendier and bolder look: go for statement colours, jewel tones, metallic accents, and moody colour combinations.
Choosing the decor for your workspace
Aesthetics and function come hand in hand when it comes to decor. Choose decorative items and accessories that make a professional statement. Art (e.g. a painting or a structure) is a nice addition, but only when it resonates with you. Indoor plants are highly-recommended, especially those species that can purify the air (e.g. Devil’s Ivy, Peace Lilies, etc.). Curtains are great when you have a window in your home office. Apart from controlling the light coming in, it heightens the privacy of your office too.
Reusing furniture
Got a sideboard or cabinet that you’re not using anymore? Use it in your new home office! Give these furniture pieces a new purpose.
Here we have sideboards and cabinets that you can use to hide away or display a number of things in your dining area. If you have bought one before, you probably know that these pieces can also serve as clever storage in the office.
Choosing your furniture
When it comes to choosing furniture pieces, you should look into three important factors:
Form – It must reflect the interior styling that you want. Superdraft recently wrote an article about various home interior design styles. Check it out and use it as your guide!
Function – It must have and fulfill a purpose. Chairs are for sitting, desks are for working, cabinets are for storage, and more.
Lastly,
Ergonomics – It must be safe and comfortable to use. A desk must be of the right height and chairs must support the spine etc.
Also, your home office is not limited to a desk and chair. Throw in a sofa or two matching chairs if there is plenty of space available. This seating area is important! It could be your spot for rest and for entertaining colleagues who drop by your house.