For the longest time now, there has been a heated discussion on which environment is best suited for work. What you should appreciate is the fact that technological advancements have devised new forms of work that give room for flexibility.
People nowadays spend some reasonable time working online. Research indicates that home offices have shown to be more effective as compared to traditional office settings. However, the phase that you give your home office space is all that matters.
Below are insights on how to optimize your home office space.
Mind the Location
The location of your home office will go a long way in determining its efficiency. You do not set the office near the kitchen and expect the best results. The kitchen environment is likely to be a distraction to the office.
The office should also be far from the children’s play area, or else they will not give you the much-needed peace of mind for concentration. A room upstairs will provide the right setting for your office.
Get What You Need
The challenge with home offices is that they are likely to be concentrated with materials that you don’t need. This scattering of materials all over the table is a mood killer that affects your productivity in the home office.
The office space should be ample enough to give you a chance to view all the needed materials. The way you arrange materials within the room will determine whether there is enough space in your office.
The same way you clean the desk, take care of the computer and get rid of documents that you don’t need. Place the documents that you will need in a standard file the previous day to avoid troubles when they are needed.
Paint the Office Green
Choosing the right colors for your office paint is part of optimizing the office space. The color green is famous for its ability to stimulate productivity and creativity.
Unfortunately, painting the entire office with a single color might seem unpleasing and thus the need for using a blend of colors. In this particular blend, white has to be a prominent feature. However, do not exaggerate the colors.
Acquire the Right Furniture
Your home office should be more of the traditional office and if possible a notch higher. You will thus have to purchase a high-quality desk to place electronics and other materials.
In as much as you may be working online, you will at some point have some printed documents that you have to keep in the office. The documents will require a shelf to ensure they are safe. The shelf should be fixed into the wall and narrow to leave enough space for other uses.
The desk and shelf in your office should be custom made. Talk to your local carpenter so that all the woodwork can be done from within the office.
How About the Office Chair?
Barefoot Physio Brisbane explains that traditional office chairs are known to be stiff and tend to cause back pain among workers, which requires treatment. Treating back pain is essential but lengthy and costly; thus, prevention with a comfortable ergonomic chair is needed.
Recliner chairs come in a variety of shapes, but all serve the same purpose. Apart from giving your office a luxurious look, they ensure you are comfortable and provide no chase for back pains.
Before you rush to buy one, examine your office to be sure that the sit recliner you opt for suits your space.
Pick the Right Electronics
Traditional offices are filled with electronics such as printers and scanners that are already outdated. Avoid these machines in your home office for they will not add any value.
Make space for your computer and if possible, bring two of them. Computers are the way to go at this age of technology; thus, the need to put more emphasis on them.
Always ensure that you look for reliable electronic dealers to avoid getting duped as you transfer the office to your home.
Natural Light Should Be a Priority
How many of you thought that technology would take us to appoint of working from home? Did you plan for the same? The answer to this question is likely to be no since no one expected things to shift so fast.
Traditional house models rarely leave room for such activities and, thus, the need for renovation arises. However, modern houses are being constructed with some special rooms just in case the idea of a home office emerges.
In both cases, natural light should always be a priority. A room with no window cannot qualify to be your office since it will create a dull impression. Studies show that the level of concentration in rooms with natural light is higher than those without.
Incorporating natural light into your office is a great way to boost your productivity. At the same time, you should not ignore other forms of lighting. Improper lighting is likely to affect your eyes which eventually hinder your productivity.
Choose an LED task light which allows you to adjust color temperature settings giving you a suitable combination for the available tasks. Cool temperatures stimulate your productivity while warm ones will have a calming effect.
Make It a Personal Space!
How often did you invite your family to your previous office? The principle of a home office as a personal space is supposed to guide you in designing your home office. Make it a personal space for efficiency.
The office should be at the quietest area of your home to keep off unnecessary distractions like pets. However, do not disrespect your family in the disguise of working. Have specific hours for everything and let the family respect your space.
Add Personal Tastes
No one can design your office better than you can do apart from the areas that require technical skills. Incorporate your feelings into the office design and let it be a true reflection of you.
Choose colors you can identify and add some greens, as they will trigger a sense of productivity.
Working from home seems to be a trend that the world is adapting at a high rate. Begin by choosing the right location in the house and acquire all the necessary equipment. Home offices are the way to go provided the work you do gives such flexibility.
Resources – The Spruce, Forbes, Lifehack