5 tips for creating a perfect home office

 

Whether you've always worked from home, or have a new need to work from home, having the perfect functional home office is key to your success. The task of creating a home office may seem exciting or overwhelming. Either way, use these tips to help create the perfect space to achieve your goals.

1. Choose the right location

If you have a dedicated den or office in your home already, congratulations. You are already done with this step and can move on. For many, they will need to find a space within your home that may not currently be used as an office. This might be a corner of the living room, part of a spare bedroom or some other space that isn't being fully utilized. When picking your space consider if you will be able to focus on your work. Will you be free from distractions and traffic that might keep you from your work? Will you be able to be comfortable in the space? Choose a location where you will be able to relax and focus on what you're working to achieve.

2. Get the right desk and chair

Having a great desk and chair will help you feel ready to work when you sit down. Think about what you need to work. It's important that your desk is large enough to accommodate any paperwork and technology that you will need on a regular basis. Think about that when you're selecting or building your desk. When it comes to chairs, choose comfort over looks. If a chair is beautiful but not comfortable you won't be able to work for long periods. Find a selection of chairs that are easy to sit in for long periods of time first and then choose the one that looks best for your space.

3. Keep it organized

Having a cluttered workspace is not only stressful to look at it, it can slow down your overall work performance. No one likes walking to a messy office, so be sure that you have storage for everything that you need to use regularly. Remember that in today's video conference world, other people will get a look into your workspace, and you want to be sure you're putting your best foot forward. Considering things that allow you to store important items you'll need quickly on your desk, like pencil cups, or monitor shelfs. Also consider things like drawers or shelves for things that you need access to less regularly. As you're building our your space remember the old saying "A place for everything and everything in its place."

4. Lighting 

Great lighting is important to a great work environment. A combination of both natural light and artificial light is key to both seeing what you're doing and maintaining a healthy attitude. Natural sunlight helps the body stay away and energized and is shown to increase positive feelings. Artificial light helps augment the natural on cloudy days or late night working sessions. Choose a location near a window and choose a desk or floor lamp that is both stylish and functional. 

5. Natural elements

We are part of nature and feel at home when there are natural elements that are part of our environments. Thinking about how you will incorporate natural materials into your office design. Potted plants are a great way to include something natural that also improves your office's air quality and necessitates that you have good natural light. Other materials like wood and stone are a great way to add natural elements that help relaxed and ready to work.

Where is your works space? How have you designed and how is it working for you? Tell us below.