Design How Tos

Designing Your Home Office: 6 Things You Need to Start With

Remote work has shifted from a temporary solution during the pandemic to a growing feature for many companies. Employees who work from home need a workspace that makes them feel like they’re in the office. Designing a home office can be challenging but fun because you have complete customization to make it how you want. Use this list to learn about six things you need to have to create a great home office.

Location

The location is the first thing you should consider when designing a home office. Where in the house do you want your workspace to be? Some people want a private room in the house, whereas others prefer to be in open spaces like the kitchen. You’ll spend a lot of time in the office, so pick the best area possible in your home.

The most suitable place for your home office is a spare room. Some use this room for storage or as a guest room. But it would make an ideal space for your office. If you don’t have a spare room, you have a few more options. Find the area that best fits you, even if it’s a loft or a closet. The room you pick for your office will significantly affect your productivity throughout the day.

Space

home office in kitchen — Kitchen home office

The next factor to consider when designing your home office is space. How much room do you need in your office space? Some people can deal with small spaces, such as a closet. The tiny spots allow for better focus. However, you may need more space to get things done.

Also, you’ll want to consider whether others will be coming into your office. Will clients come inside for meetings? Allow yourself enough space for maneuverability, even if you’re the only inhabitant.

When designing, give yourself more space than you need. You’d rather be safe than sorry. Measure your desk and ensure you have enough room to stand up, shift from side to side, and walk around if needed. If you must use a small space, make the most of it using vertical storage units, dividers, and cord organizers.

Privacy

Another consideration you should make for your home office is privacy. In the house, you may face distractions like children, pets, or other aspects you wouldn’t see in the office. You’ll need a space where you can work uninterrupted potentially for hours, especially if you plan on meeting with clients, co-workers, and bosses throughout the day. Try finding space away from the family quarters of your house to limit interruptions.

Lighting

To maximize productivity, prioritize lighting in your workspace. Lighting is essential to keeping yourself active during work hours, even if you’re not in a central office.

You may have warm colors in your house to give off a comfortable atmosphere. These red and yellow lights are ideal for an intimate ambiance. But for a home office, you may want to choose higher color temperatures like blue-white. Studies show that cooler light leads to higher productivity from employees.

Lighting is also integral for making a room appear larger than it is. If you have a small office, you can use it to your advantage. For example, open the blinds if you have windows to increase the natural light. Or, you could remove the blinds to decrease clutter and maximize the sunlight coming in. If you need to install windows, find a spot where you’ll have a nice view.

Technology

ergonomic home office — Ergonomic technology

Another factor for productivity is the technology you utilize in the workspace. You must choose technology wisely because things can become unorganized and make you feel less productive in a hurry. For example, if you work on a desktop computer, you’ll likely have cords running rampant throughout the desk area. You need cables to power and connect your computer, router, monitors, and more.

One way to make your home office feel more organized is to utilize wireless technology as much as possible. Using a wireless mouse, printer, and keyboard will reduce the cords running around your desk and make things easier to handle. If you need wired technology, use a cable organizer or cord tamer to hold the wires. You’ll also protect the wires from children and pets who find their way into the office.

Storage

Organization in your home office is vital, but it extends past your wires and power supplies. One thing people often overlook in their office design is storage space. Allot space in your home office for shelves, whether attached to the walls or a set of drawers. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of space you need for storage because the paperwork can add up quickly. Even in a home office, it’s wise to have a filing system at arm’s length to stay organized.

How you organize your desk can significantly impact your productivity at work. The human brain typically likes to see order in the work environment. A cluttered desk with papers everywhere can disrupt your focus and drain your brain. However, a clean desk leads to higher productivity and focus.