Creating Your Ideal Work From Home Office

Transitioning to working from home has its challenges. Although that situation may not be ideal for everyone, it can feel infinitely easier if you have the right home office set up. By putting together the proper atmosphere, you can stay productive while working from the comfort of your home.

Here, we will walk through the process of creating your ideal home office.

As you start to create your home office space, it’s important to consider several different components. Although each piece may seem small, the combination can create a relaxing space in which you’re able to focus on completing your work.

Here are the top features that you’ll need to work through to create an ideal home office setup.

Location

The first step is to pick out a spot where you can be productive. You’ll want to find a place that’s easily distinguished from the rest of the home. Without any line between your workspace and your home life, you might struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Seek out a space that’s quiet and easily divided from your family during the working day. A few places to consider include the guest bedroom, the spare bedroom that has served to store random items or a small nook that only collects dust.

Although many of us will need to get creative on finding a workable space for a home office, it is possible. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when looking for the right location.

Privacy

One key feature in any home office is that it should be a place where you can get work done without interruptions. In most cases, the best way to institute a policy of quiet in your home office is to find a place with a door. You can let your family know that when the door is closed, you are unavailable for a chat.

If a door is simply not a feasible option, then consider holding a family meeting to discuss your workspace. Make sure that everyone understands the rules of your quiet workspace during the business day.

You may struggle to maintain a private home office if you have pets or young children. If you find this difficult, then consider investing in premium headphones to help muffle the sounds. It’s not a perfect solution, but it can help you accomplish your work tasks for the day.

Furniture

Once you’ve selected the right space for your home office, it’s time to pick out furniture. You want to choose pieces that will inspire comfort and productivity. Although it can be tempting to throw together a hodgepodge of cheap and boring furniture, that can lead to problems down the line.

The most important feature of your office furniture should be comfort. You don’t want to be forced to sit in a slightly uncomfortable chair for the entire day. Not only will that sap your productivity, but also potentially lead to long-term health issues.

Instead, seek out furniture that will help keep you going throughout the day. It may help to have a few different seating options to mix things up. For example, you might rotate between a standard office chair, standing desk, and a plushy couch to keep your workflow from stagnating out of boredom.

For the other furniture in your office, such as a desk and bookshelves, make sure that you have enough storage space. You don’t want to resort to a cluttered workspace simply because you’ve run out of room on your desk. For major furniture purchases, consider a furniture loan for more flexible payment options.

Color

The color you choose for your home office can have a big impact on your productivity. Different colors can evoke different emotions that can spur productivity or lead to a lull. A few colors that are typically associated with productivity include light shades of green and purple. Although these might not be your favorite colors, the right shade could help you maintain a successful home office.

Take the time to test out a few different paint colors before making a decision.

Decor

As with the color of your office, the decor can play a big role in your overall productivity. You’ll want to add decor that will inspire you throughout the day. However, you don’t want to overwhelm the space by filling it completely with fun items. After all, you still need the space to function as your office, not as storage for your collectibles.

A good way to stay inspired without cluttering surfaces in your office is with the use of a gallery wall. The fun part about putting together a gallery wall is that there are no rules to creating a beautiful collection of art and memories. You can add in your favorite pictures, postcards from a memorable vacation, prints of interesting designs and more.

As you build your gallery wall, consider incorporating colors that complement each other to bring balance to the space.

Lighting

It’s not a secret that good lighting is key to productivity. With that, natural light from a window is the best solution. If your office space doesn’t have a window, then consider light fixtures that are designed to emit cooling tones with minimal glare.

Technology

If you’re working from home, you’re likely very dependent on properly functioning technology. Speaking from experience, a few hours without internet access can be a major problem.

With that, you want to make sure that your office is equipped with the technology you need to succeed. Don’t skimp on this aspect. In fact, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan for when your technology fails you. For example, you might want to consider a mobile hotspot for days when the internet is out or a cheap laptop as a backup for when your computer decides to quit on you at the worst possible moment.

Technology is great when it works, but sometimes it doesn’t. Having a backup plan in place can eliminate many stressful situations from your home office.

Beyond the practicalities of setting up the perfect home office, you should consider other elements that might make the space more welcoming.

Feng Shui

Feng shui is an art that has been practiced in China for centuries. The goal of the design is to maximize the flow of positive energy in a room. Building feng shui into your home office can help to create a more productive workspace.

A few ways to include this design in your office are lighting your space properly, maintaining a healthy air quality, and avoiding a cluttered space. Another idea is to hang an image of a dragon on the east side of your office, potentially as a piece in your gallery wall.

Don’t be afraid to explore this concept as you set up your home office.

Sustainability

As you create your home office space, considering your impact on the world is a good idea. With a more sustainable setup, you can feel good about the space you work in.

Here are a few ways to make sustainable choices in your home office:

• Seek out renewable materials for your flooring and furniture. Bamboo is a great option because it grows quickly and is very cost-efficient.
• Reduce, recycle, reuse. As you collect items for your new space, consider repurposing items from other areas of your home that are underutilized. Beyond your own home, consider buying used office furniture and supplies. You can always consider a coat of paint or a stain to make an older piece look brand new.
• Stay energy-efficient. When possible, buy energy-efficient lightbulbs and electronics. When it’s time to toss old electronics, make sure to recycle them properly instead of allowing them to end up at the dump.

As you start working in your new office, make sure to turn off electronics when they aren’t in use to save energy. Afterall, every little bit helps!

Comfort

We all want to work in a comfortable space, and we should. However, you don’t want it to slip from business casual to overly comfy. If you fill your space with plushy seating options and dim lighting, it can be tempting to doze off or curl up with a book instead of getting work done. Try to find the right balance that works for your life.

The freedom of creating your own office space can be exciting. But there are two common mistakes you should be aware of:

Lack Of Storage Space

The most common mistake is underestimating your storage needs. When in doubt, find ways to build extra storage into your space. You might be surprised at how quickly paperwork and clutter can take over without a robust storage system.

Cord Chaos

We have all encountered a bundle of wires somewhere in our home. The mess can not only be frustrating but leave you struggling to find the right charging cord for your equipment. In your office space, create a system for your necessary wires that will prevent cord chaos from derailing your workday.

A home office should be an inviting space where you feel comfortable working. Take the time to create an area that suits your needs. Since everyone has different work demands and a unique home life, each home office space will be different. With some careful planning, you can create the perfect home office to help you accomplish your goals without leaving the house.