Today more and more people are choosing to work at home instead of commuting to work each day. While it does sound ideal in theory, it can be quite challenging without a dedicated workspace at home. With children demanding attention, pets running about, household chores so close at hand and entertainment centers turned on, it is virtually a lesson in futility. By allocating a certain area as a “Do Not Disturb” home office zone, it is much easier to stay dedicated and work diligently. This article outlines some of the key factors in determining a relatively private area for the home office, how to make use of lighting, furniture and décor to achieve a work-appropriate atmosphere, and how to properly organize the workspace to keep it uncluttered.
Location
Choosing the right location for a home office is the crucial first step in finding a peaceful, quiet spot to work undisturbed. Ideally, it should be away from the kids and distractions such as the television. Think about personal preferences. Some people require a lot of space, in which case a whole room, basement or attic could be converted into an office, while others can simply transform a closet-sized area into a functional office. Take into account all of the furniture and technology required in the office, as well as whether clients will be met in the office or not.
Lighting
Lighting makes all the difference in creating a comfortable working area. For larger offices, light colored curtains will allow the office to be lit with soft daylight, while ensuring privacy. Small offices would benefit from a desk lamp and a stand up corner lamp. Always make sure that there is enough light for reading and viewing the computer monitor, to avoid strained eyes. Small fun additions such as LED strip lighting under desk shelving, behind the computer or small halogen bulbs can also add interesting effects to personalize the overall look.
Furniture & Décor
The style of furniture chosen for a home office serves two purposes: it strongly dictates the décor of the space but more importantly, it determines comfort levels and functionality. One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing home office furniture is the ergonomic support it offers. Chairs should offer enough padding and posture control, while desks should be at the correct height for keyboards and computer monitors. Storage is another key issue and furniture that doubles as a storage unit is a huge plus. If space is an issue, consider purchasing technology that combines multiple services into one machine; for example, a printer that can also scan and copy documents, instead of three separate machines. Most importantly, use personal preferences to make the office space unique and inviting. Inspiration boards, which can be corkboards or magnetic white boards, mounted on the wall are an interesting way for people to track and show off some of their favorite inspirations. Browse through links below to find home office furniture and decorating ideas that match your style.
Organization Tips & Space Efficiency
A home office can build up stacks of paper and files, which can easily get out of hand in a short period of time. One way to help organize workflow better is to create areas in the office where similar activities are done. For example, keep technology such as the computer, printer, fax or scanner together in one area. Books, files and archived papers can be stored in another corner. Use archive boxes to keep file folders and loose papers stored neatly. Don’t underestimate the value of shelving. Even in a small office space, think vertical and stack shelves above each other to create more storage area. Use printed sticky labels to clearly mark and categorize boxes or files so that they can be easily found for later use.
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