How to Design an
Efficient Home Office.
01 INTRODUCTION.
Choosing to work at home has never been rewarding, with the advent of the internet technology the possibilities are endless.
Working at home today must be the wisest decision. As the world pandemic continue to spread across nations, home quarantine is inevitable. Around 90% of the workforce are now put on hold. For the time being, many companies such as Google, Twitter and Facebook have brought their employees to continue work online.
Pros & Cons.
Pros. It might depend on what service you provide, but most online work have flexible working hours. You can choose how many hours to work any time of the week and what contracts are your priority. Not glued to a fixed schedule means you get more time with other matters such as family or learning another skill.
Another advantage in working at home is that you don’t need to waste time and money on daily commutes. The less time spent in transportation means the more productive hours.
Home office can be a conducive place to stir creativity and imagination. If you’re an artist or a writer, being comfortably curdled up on a corner of your bedroom might spark an idea or two.
USEFUL DESIGN INSIGHTS FOR YOUR HOME OFFICE
Whatever reason you choose to have a home office, working at home is still basically “working”. For this reason, you will need to set up a corner or a space in your home that will encourage you to not slack off, be productive and free from distractions.
1. Look for the Right Spot
Squeezing an office space in a living area can be challenging, especially for tights spaces.
Choose an area with the most minimal household or neighborhood noise. It would also save you energy bills to have good day lighting but without the glare all throughout the day.
For homes with generous spaces, you can choose an unused den, attic, a porch or an extended room to your garden or lawn. Meanwhile, for tighter spaces, you can choose down below a flight of stairs or just any corner of a room but you’ll need high dividers and screens to create privacy.
2 . Create Privacy
Defining your work area from your living space helps you get focused and organized.
Sliding panels is a good choice for both large and small spaces. If you have the budget, choose a sturdy framing for frosted glass or acrylic sheets to hold unto.
3 . Provide Ample Storage
Know how much storage you need. You can choose an open storage, that’s if you’re more of the organized type. But if you have less time in keeping your stuff tidy an enclosed storage will work better for you.
4 . Reduce Household Noise
Eliminate if not dampen the noise by installing sound buffering or acoustic panels. Installing soundproof tiles works well in apartments and other shared residences.
5. Choosing Home Office Furniture
Since most work today are paperless, a simple desk for a laptop and a comfortable chair is adequate enough. Though, if your space allows you, you can place a side desk for taking notes, or for placing a vase of flowers or décor to pump up your office area.
Collapsible desk and chair as well as shelves on wheels can be great options when you’re still trying to look for that right spot on your home.
Purchase a lazy Susan Organizer to organize smaller office items such pens.
Whatever, furniture you choose make sure they’re comfortable to use. Chairs and desks should be ergonomically designed so you don’t need to slouch or hunch when working on your laptop. Adjustable chairs and tables should be high on your checklist.
6. Selecting the Perfect Color Scheme
Choose a color scheme that you’re comfortable with but if unsure, you should select colors that won’t drizzle your work energy.
Colors such as red and tangerine are perfect colors to pump up your desk area. If bright colors are too much for you, the blues and green hues might suit you better.
For those who really don’t see vibrant colors on their palettes, the sleek gray black and brass combo might be a perfect choice for you.
The color scheme will work perfectly with industrially made furniture. If you have a furniture or an interesting piece of artwork in your home office, then work around it as well for your color scheme.
7. Create an Inviting Space
Like any day in the office, a workstation near your home can be a tempting time to get listless. You may need to update your office abode look to make it more inspiring by adding a few touches.
Start by choosing a comfortable chair. You can either select the typical adjustable office armchair or to opt for an unconventional version such as an egg shaped office chair.
If you have limited view outside, then painting your walls with leaf patterns can be visual delight. Wall decals such as flowers and text prints can also add a playful atmosphere on your personal office space.
Hang on some framed pictures or quotations on your walls to add motivation
USEFUL DESIGN INSIGHTS FOR YOUR HOME OFFICE
1. SAY NO TO SOCIAL MEDIA
A quick check of who or what is trending on SM can get you stuck for hours engaged in unproductive activities.
Posting on social media when working from home is not only a distraction but creates a bad impression with your co-workers and especially your managers.
Aside from the fact that you may attract needless attention from your community on SM, who may feel the need to call or DMs you based on your activity on SM, It also gives a negative impression on what you spend the work hours doing while you not being physically monitored.
You are spending paid office time on social media. Avoid posting on social media including updating WhatsApp status
2 . CREATE A PRODUCTIVE PATTERN
Whether as an entrepreneur or an employee, creating a productive pattern is very important.
When working from home, creating a work routine is as important as when you have to resume in the HQ.
Wake up, get dressed, take a coffee and hit your work corner. It helps set the mood for the day. It’s a real job, therefore approach it like one.
It psychologically helps sets the boundary for yourself and your cohabitants.
Remember to stretch your body or take a walk intermittently within your space as you would normally do if you are in the HQ.
Take away.
Due to a younger workforce today, many of these technology-savvy employees are well-equipped in going home office. In addition, working at home seems more comfortable and productive compared to a 9 to 5 office job.
Moreover, the growing numbers of affected in the pandemic continues to rise making online work more attractive than ever before.
An office at home spells out safety, more time for the family and a chance to have an atmosphere conducive for creativity.
January 26, 2023 @ 5:19 pm
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