If you have continuously felt frustrated by doing work on the couch, struggling to find a quiet place to focus in the house, or are tired from having your work materials all over the place, then maybe you should consider creating a home office space. Home office spaces have been around for a long time, however, with most work being done remotely throughout the pandemic of Covid-19, investing in creating a good home office space is crucial. Whether it is a place where you conduct a small business or work remotely, you will want to feel the most productive in this area. Below we will explore 5 tips to keep in mind when creating some office space in your home.
1. Choose the perfect space in your home
A home office does not always have to be a completely separate room. Sure, if your house allows it and you have an extra room in the house you plan to use for your home office then your job is much easier, however, for now, we will assume that you don’t. So, the first step would be to find the most appropriate space in your house where you can focus and be productive.
The open spaces available and the square footage of your home will be a deciding factor on how big your home office space will be and how you can design it. For example, if you only have a corner available in the living room, then you might want to keep your space as minimalistic as possible. On the other hand, if you have tons of unused empty spaces then you get a lot more flexibility on what you can do. Do not hesitate to use as much space as you need for your home office as it will be the place where you will be spending a good amount of time at home.
Lastly, when choosing the location, be aware of the traffic around the house and what makes you feel most productive. Some people find background noises crucial to doing their work. Others prefer a quiet place and would like to have no distractions. Pick a space depending on what works for you.
2. Choose the color pattern and design
If you would like an office space where you feel like you’re in a completely different place, you can choose to create a home office with a design that differs from the rest of the house. This means choosing different color patterns, and furniture that may not particularly go with your existing interior. However, keep in mind that this may affect the look of your home. For example, if your home has light beige tones, then you may want to re-think if you would like your office space to be on the spectrum of darker colors.
Another thing to consider when choosing your color scheme is what colors will have you feeling most productive. Bright colors such as yellow, for example, wake you up and are said to promote creativity. However, you may also find a calming blue more effective for you to perform.
3. Make it functional
In order to get the most out of your work space, you need to make sure that your home office space is as functional as possible. This means having everything you need to do your work on sight. For example, if you frequently have online meetings, make sure you pick a space that has tons of light directed to your face, a more private area, and a place where the background of your home won’t be an issue. If you need to record videos, you can also invest in a high-quality camera to leave on your desk at all times and a ring light.
Another thing you will have to keep in mind is to keep the space organized and free of clutter. Make sure you arrange your work materials in a file cabinet or in folders placed on shelves in order to have a clear work desk. Other office organizing materials can include pen holders, organizer trays, bins, and desk drawers.
4. Pick a spot with lots of lighting
Lighting is an important factor to consider when choosing your home office space. Studies show that maximizing natural light increases health and mental well-being for workers, resulting in higher productivity. Moreover, workers with windows in the work space are reported to have more energy than workers that don’t. Therefore, when you are at the stage of picking a space, make sure to explore those areas that allow for tons of natural light first.
If the architecture of your home doesn’t allow you to make for a home office space near windows or balconies, then you can compensate by investing in artificial lighting. This means having lamps near and above your work space. If your home office is not well lit, not only can it affect your productivity but it can also cause eye problems since you are constantly straining your eyes.
5. Add a personal touch
Another factor that is said to promote productivity is customizing your workplace. This means putting pictures of your loved ones, adding accessories of your favorite colors, or even placing a couple of plants near your desk. Even though you are trying to make your home office space a working environment, don’t forget that you are still at home and it does not have to be too serious, unless that’s what encourages you to work.
In conclusion, the main thing you should keep in mind when putting together a home office space is to make the space suitable for you. Whether it resembles a cubicle at work or a cafe, your home office should have the type of design that makes you feel the most comfortable and most productive.
