Before the pandemic hit a few years ago, the home office space was a place in the house that homeowners probably rarely used. Sure, you may have decorated it to encourage office work. Instead, it became the place where lots of dust accumulated, and you did very little work, if any. If you are looking to sell your house soon, it will be helpful to know that a dedicated workspace is something high on the priority list for most buyers. The number of people working from home since 2009 has skyrocketed 159 percent, and having one in your home could get upwards of $10,000 in resale value. If finding a realtor and selling your home is not a priority, it is still a great idea to have a functional workspace, especially if you work from home. Here are some pointers for creating the perfect workspace in your home.
Ensure Your Space Is Private But Cozy
When setting up your office space, one thing to keep in mind is that it should be in a private space. You want to comfortably work, speak with customers, or attend virtual meetings with co-workers without experiencing several interruptions from others throughout the day. The best way to do this is to choose an unoccupied room and convert it into an office space. But if this isn’t possible, selecting an area of your house that few people frequent will allow you to have the privacy you need. Keep in mind that it is also a good idea to ensure that your space is cozy. Cramped and dark areas may make you unproductive and could take a toll on your well-being. Making sure you have plenty of space, fresh air, comfortable seating, and plenty of light all make a comfortable home office.
Purchase an Ergonomic Chair
If you will be working from home more often now, it is a good idea to invest in a comfortable chair which is an essential item for a full home office. Using a kitchen chair or a folding metal chair may be a temporary option. But for long-term use, it would be wise to choose an ergonomic chair that can adjust and provides the proper support for your lower back. One with wheels is also helpful as it can help you glide throughout your office as you work on various projects.
Get Proper Storage
When you’re working, do you have to ask yourself, “where is my planner” or “where are my pens?” The chances are that you probably could benefit from better storage in your home office space. Having storage areas ideal for writing utensils, paper, and other items in your office can keep you organized and productive. These could include shelving, baskets, file cabinets, and more.
Consider Adding a Focal Point for Inspiration
Having an office away from work can get quite lonely and uninspiring. So, the last thing you need is to have a dull and drab home office, which adds to an already uninspiring environment. Instead, think about what excites you and add it to your office area. It is well known that colors can affect your mood. For instance, green can affect your emotions, creativity, positive memories, and energy levels. So painting an accent wall green or even hanging a painting with large amounts of green can get you charged up for your work projects. In addition to color, creating a wall of inspirational sayings or other uplifting items can keep you full of radiance while working so that you won’t lose focus or get bored easily.
Make Sure The Lighting is Appropriate
Not only does color affect your mood, but so can lighting. Additionally, the lack of lighting can cause trouble with your eyes. One of the best types of light you can have in your workspace is natural light. Sunlight contains plenty of vitamin D, which is essential for great mental health. Unfortunately, some spaces in the house won’t have access to natural light. For instance, an office hallway you’ve built may not have a window to allow natural light in. Another good option is to ensure that the overhead lights or lamps produce plenty of light so you won’t’ have to suffer from headaches or eye strain. Choosing blue-enriched light or light with 4,600 kelvins or more can be very helpful in maintaining productivity when you don’t have access to sunlight.
Have a Nice View
If you choose not to create a focal point, the next best thing is to have an office space with a great view. Staring at a blank wall is not very inspiring. But having a great view of nature or even seeing what’s going on daily in your neighborhood will stave off boredom. However, be careful not to have such a nice view that you’re distracted and don’t get much work done.
Bonus Tip #1 – Keep the Temperature Comfortable
While this is not an essential part of decor, it is still critical to running a functional office space. This is one of those things that gets overlooked because you’re so focused on purchasing items for the office. While temperature is invisible, it can affect your productivity levels. This could be a distraction whether it is too hot or too cold. It can also make you lethargic. So when setting up your home office, make sure that where you set up your office has balanced airflow. And if the space doesn’t create the warmth or coolness you need, it may be a good idea to buy a portable heater or fan to make the room as comfortable as possible while you work.
Bonus Tip #2 – Ensure Your Space is Camera Ready
While this also may not be an essential part of decorating your home office, it is still important. Before the pandemic, this may have been something that you didn’t think much about. After all, you probably rarely used the space. Also, you likely never used video conferencing as much as you do now.
One thing people don’t keep in mind when they log on to their video meetings is how co-workers perceive their surroundings. Maintaining a clutter-free, clean office environment is part of maintaining professionalism. While kids’ toys are necessary for your children to have fun, they may not look professional if they are visible to viewers on a video call. Ensure that you keep these and other “unmentionables” out of view to avoid embarrassment while having important meetings for work. If you can’t avoid Legos, Barbies, and teddy bears being strewn all over the place, at least turn your desk so that people at work can’t see what’s going on over your shoulder.
While you may not be able to create the type of office you had at your job, you can still create a productive home work office. Choosing the right products, keeping the air flowing properly, and having the right amount of lighting should make you a busy bee in no time!
