Creating a Productive Home Office Space
We can’t deny that the year 2020 revolutionized our way of thinking about our home office spaces. When so many of us had to transition from work away from home to work at home, we were asking ourselves where are we going to set up our computer and be productive? Our kitchen islands, dining tables, sofas, spare bedrooms, even our closets became our “office away from the office.”
A lot has changed when it comes to thinking about keeping an at home office space. Style, comfort and functionality play a huge part in how to create a productive workspace within our homes. Not only do we need it to be functional, but it should be aesthetically pleasing and uniquely yours. It should be a place where you feel good going into your workspace, where you feel at home and what brings you happiness, yet still keeping to the flow and style of the rest of your home.
We are going to share some key points on how to achieve a functional office in your home and things to keep in mind when making sure your space is just that; functional AND aesthetically pleasing.
1. Location
You want to make sure you choose the ideal location for your home office. Depending on the type of work that will be done will determine the ideal location within your home. Whether you are a busy parent and need to set up a desk space more centrally located in the home or if more privacy is needed, then turn the den or a spare room into the home office where you can close a door for privacy. Home offices will vary in shapes and sizes so make the most of the space you are creating. Deciding on location will make all the difference on productivity and function that suit your needs and style.
2. Lighting and View
Good lighting is key. Make sure when deciding where your office will go there is good natural light and a view. The placement of your desk plays a factor in the room. Positioning it to face the window if possible, will not only give you a good view, but it will help keep any reflection of outside light away from the computer screens and help reduce glare.
When it comes to lighting, you can choose from either a desk lamp, overhead lighting like a beautiful chandelier or a nice floor lamp to the side of your desk. Keep in mind with the type of lighting, you want to choose the right color temperature for your bulbs. If you want to keep a cozier, inviting atmosphere, a warm white bulb is a good choice. Warm white is between yellow and white range, which falls into the range of 2700K-3000K. The higher the Kelvin measure, the cooler the light temperature goes.
3. Furniture
It’s important to have the right desk and chair for your office. We have talked about the placement of the desk, but you also want to consider the size too. This depends on the function of your workspace and the size of the area or room it’s going in. Choosing a desk with drawers, the right size of surface space, how much room for your computer, multiple screens, a laptop or tablet. The proper height of the desk and how comfortable you will be will play into choosing the right desk chair that fits you. All these factors play into how well you will be productive in your space.
4. Storage
Just like when considering your desk and chair, storage can play a huge part of keeping your home office tidy and organized. You have many options to choose from, whether that is box shelving on the walls, a bookcase to display your books, built in cabinetry and shelving to stage a few personalized art pieces. Putting into place all the right pieces will help your productivity and keep it clean and pleasing to the eye.
5. Personalize
Accessorizing your office space brings YOU into the flow of the room. Think about what inspires you and brings character to your space. Whether it’s a favorite art piece or objects you picked up from your travels to the family pictures. You want to include those special touches when bringing your personality into your surroundings. Your office should reflect not only the flow and aesthetics of the rest of the house but also comfort. The colors you choose for your office plays into that as well. Do you prefer a darker, moodier space or a light and open concept? Incorporating an area rug, pillows can bring in layers and softness into the room. Where you can be comfortable is where you can relax but also be productive and that’s just what you want for your home office.
A home office space doesn’t have to look sterile, in fact it shouldn’t. Just like the rest of your home, think about the furniture, the colors, the textures, lighting, etc. These things need to be considered in your office space as well. A well designed workspace promotes comfort and functionality and will set the mood of that space. Where you find those things is where you can call home.