Forget about cramming a small desk and metal chair into a room and calling it your office. Instead, design a home office that reflects the comfort of your own home as well as your personal style. Not only will it help you work more efficiently, but it will also enhance your work life! So here are nine tips to help you create an effective workspace that you deserve!
Paint a Color You Love
If there is a color that you absolutely love and keeps you motivated, consider painting your office with that color. However, don’t paint all the walls the same color. Think about using the color you love as a statement wall and opt for neutrals for the other walls.
Don’t Sacrifice Form From Function
Before you invest in furniture, think about your workflow. Only buy furniture that will serve you, not the other way around. Look for pieces that are beautiful and functional that will enhance your efficiency and will keep you working!
Create a Comfy Space
Your desk is for active work. However, when you need to read something or think, it’s better to sit somewhere comfy. Not only will it help break up a monotonous workday, but it will also provide a space to get creative. This is constantly overlooked for home offices, but it offers the most perks. If you have the space in your office, think about creating a comfy corner to think.
Add Greenery and Art
Bring the outside in by adding greenery to your office. Plants are known to make people happier. However, if you don’t feel like looking after a houseplant, decorate with art that you absolutely love and inspires you.
Embrace Natural Light, But Have Lamps
Don’t recreate the corporate cubical by placing your desk against a wall. Embrace natural light and place your desk near windows. However, don’t forget to have lamps in your office for the later hours. Don’t depend solely on overhead lighting; it is highly inadequate for work. So try a small table lamp that has a softer glow.
Follow Ergonomic Rules
There are a few ergonomic rules to follow that will help you stay focused and working all day. First, your computer should either be at eye level or a little below, which will combat against eye fatigue. Make sure your arms and feet have something to rest on. Your arms should be parallel to the floor while you feet should be firmly on the floor (or foot rest if you are smaller). Most importantly you should have an ergonomic chair that you’ll love sitting in. Having a chair that makes your feel comfortable all day will help you “put in the hours.”
Get Creative with Storage
Using the square footage of your home office successfully is a huge aspect of an effective workspace. Storage can often times take up a lot of space in home offices. So get creative and figure out what works best for you. Would a bookcase work better than a filing cabinet? If your home office is on the smaller side organize vertically and horizontally to conserve space. Or if you’ve turned the guest room into a home office, utilize the closet space to stay organized.
Hide Things You Don’t Want to Look At
Seeing all those unwanted cords can become an eyesore for you office. So try and hide them as much as you can so it doesn’t affect your workflow!
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If you work from home constantly you’ll want to stock up on everyday office supplies that are essential to your work. This will keep you from running out to the supply store every few minutes. Also, consider having a small fridge or coffee maker in your office so you won’t have to travel too far from your work. Just remember to take a break! You don’t want to end up spending all your time in your office.