10 Tips for Designing A Home Office
Working from home means you wake up in the same place and get everything done in the same environment each day. While it might be a welcome break from sitting in traffic, it can get monotonous. Help yourself stay focused by separating your home office from the rest of your home with the right design elements. Here are a few tips that will help you with designing an office at home.
Pick a Design
If you're asking yourself, "How can I make my home office look professional?", the first step is having a vision for this space. There's no end to the design inspiration that can be found online, but keep your own needs and preferences in mind as well. More than just a functional space, your home office should be somewhere you want to spend your time and feel motivated to do your best work. All of this can be achieved by finding the ideal furniture, accessories, and layout.
Paint Your Home Office
Picking the right color for your office space is very important. Take the time to look up how colors affect mood. To ensure that you can concentrate in the office, go for the more subtle hues as they are known to have a calming effect.
Instead of painting, check out office wallpaper as it can go a long way to help you quickly and easily cover up walls in a variety of shades or patterns. You may be wondering, "What kind of wallpaper is best for home offices?" If so, consider that a bold color or abstract print might help get your creative juices flowing. A contemporary or industrial look might benefit from solid neutrals like gray. Soft, floral patterns give off a more feminine vibe, while deep purples or reds are great for high-energy atmospheres.
Overall, the paint or wallpaper you use on your home office walls should be different from the rest of the house. This will help you make a distinction between the space where you need to focus and the spaces where you can relax and hang out with loved ones.
Ensure the Room Has Sufficient Lighting
If you can, set up your office in a room that receives sufficient natural lighting. Not only can this help you save on energy bills by allowing you to turn out the lights throughout the day, but you'll also feel more productive when you have something other than a computer screen to stare at all day.
When you need to burn the midnight oil, it's important to have appropriate artificial lighting too. Use an attractive desk lamp for small tasks and plenty of overhead light when necessary to prevent eye strain.
Invest in a Quality Desk and Chair
Since you will likely be sitting down for the better part of the day, it should go without saying that you need to invest in a quality seat and desk. Do not go minimalist on this as your comfort plays a big role in your productivity levels. Before you buy a chair, test it out to see if it is comfortable enough for you. When purchasing a desk, keep in mind all the items you need to have on hand on a daily basis and make sure everything will fit.
Add Chairs for Guests
If you plan to have clients meet you at the home office, it helps to have enough chairs for them. If space allows, add one or two comfy chairs on the opposite side of your desk for meetings or consultations. Remember, these chairs should complement the whole space.
Get the Right Tech
Working from home will most of the time mean you are working online. As such, your office will need to have the right technology to help aid this. Here are a few things you need to include in your home office:
- A computer or laptop
- A mouse
- A printer
- A scanner
If you are just starting, these will probably be enough. You can add more as you go on.
Invest in Storage Space
Drawers and shelves will help you stay organized and declutter your work desk. Filing cabinets, drawer inserts, bins, and cord storage accessories all come in handy, especially when the paperwork starts piling up or you want cables to be hidden away.
Maximize the Space You Have
The home office isn't always the biggest room in the home, if you're even fortunate enough to have a full room. Storage is one way to make the most of this limited space, but items such as a desk that folds away when you're done with work, compact electronic devices, and vertical shelving units make it seem like you have more physical space than you actually do.
Get Creative
Never hold back your creativity when it comes to how you furnish the room. You can add a couple of posters to the walls or pictures & framed artwork that you like. This is especially helpful if you don't have a window to look out when your eyes need a break. Always remember, it's your own office, and you get to choose how informal or fancy you want it to look.
Set It Apart
Do not be tempted to use your home office for anything other than work. Once you start watching TV in the home office or having friends meet you there for a chat, you will find it challenging to get into your working mind space later on or forget about work when it's time for fun.
More people are working from home than ever. Take this opportunity to create the space you want, try new ideas, and figure out exactly what works for you. Browse Wallshoppe for wallpaper and artwork that can get you started.
