With more and more people working from home during the pandemic, it is no surprise to see lots of home offices being set up. Even as the coronavirus crisis recedes eventually, many employers will realize that they do not need large office buildings while the employees will have discovered that it is a lot more comfortable to work from home and deliver the same output.
If you are anxious about setting up a makeshift or a permanent home office, the physical setup and the ergonomics of the workspace, well, you are not alone. It will take some effort and planning to create a long-term home office.
Here are some useful and practical tips on how to create an effective and impressive workspace at home.
- Create a dedicated space
Your home office should be independent from your home and should be properly outfitted for office work. Ideally, you should use a small room that is big enough to hold your workstation, the computer equipment, and the desk. One can always use their guest room or an enclosed porch for the purpose. Location is important here as you would not want to work in a windowless room with a tiny desk. - Invest in functional furniture
Once the location of your home office is taken care of, it is time to move on to the furniture items for your workflow. Look for pieces that are both attractive and functional and complement other rooms in your house. As you are likely to spend hours in your home office, make sure to shop for ergonomically correct tables and chairs. If you can afford it, invest in a professional office table and chair that creates a precise fit for your body and workspace. Your office can be modern or reflect a traditional décor. - Focus on the light
Studies reflect that worker who get an abundance of natural light in their offices are able to perform better and sleep better. So, make sure there are plenty of windows to let in natural light to feel more rested and raise your productivity levels. You will find a change within you as you feel an improvement in your mood, remain alert, and make fewer mistakes. You should have sufficient indirect light to light up your workspace so that you can easily read without straining your eyes. Good lighting in your home office setup will set a positive mood and atmosphere in your workspace. - Use your favourite colours
Whether it is the walls or the floor or the other items in the home office, go for your favourite colours. Laminate flooring is available in a wide range of colours and styles and is sure to meet your sense of aesthetics. For some people, neutral is the best, and for others, it is a must to have a cheery colour like lime green or bright red. - What about the storage
As you will need a place to store your office supplies, designate a pace for storage within your office. Use containers, drawers, and baskets to store your office supplies. You can use cloud storage with a physical backup to minimise the storage needs in your home office and give your office a decluttered look.
- Apply minimalism
Even if you have a large space for a home office and a comfortable budget, always follow the concept of minimalism which is widely popular today for office setups. Do not clutter your office with stuff that you really do not need. You can create a minimalist workspace keeping your desk and walls free of anything that you don’t need. So, you will not find a phone, inbox tray, photo, or plants on the desk and no calendars and sticky notes on the walls. However, creating a minimalist workspace requires precision and concentration. - Other equipment you will need
Apart from a good internet service from a high-speed provider, you may need a network router, especially if you have more than one computer or laptop in your home. Other essential equipments include a Surge Protector to protect your office against power surges, a Printer/Scanner to print and scan at home, and an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to keep working even when there is no power.
Just follow the essential tips above to create an impressive home office where you would love to work and express your aesthetic and professional sensibilities.