Having an office in your home can be handy whether you are working from the house or not. Quite simply, having space where you can be productive and find peace and quiet is important, especially if you have kids who can make it difficult to focus at times! There has recently been an increase in people working from home, with evolving technology making it easier than ever to stay connected with your employers. However, it is vital that you take the time to set your office up carefully so that you can be productive as possible and separate the space from busier and louder areas of the home. Here are a few tips to follow for setting up your own home office:
Room Selection
Ideally, you will have a spare room that has lots of natural light and is away from busy areas of the house. Of course, not everybody has this luxury, so if you do not have a spare room then simply somewhere that is away from distraction with space for you to comfortably sit down and be productive will suffice.
Workstation
The next area to address will be the workstation. What you have will depend on what you plan on using your office for, but the majority will require a desk, a chair, and a computer. It is vital that you take the time to find the right items as you will be relying heavily on these to complete the task at hand. If you are spending many hours of the day working, consider purchasing a standing desk and a perch stool for healthier working.
Ergonomic Products
Following on from this, it is also highly worth investing in ergonomic products if you will be working at a computer for many hours of the day. A vast number of people around the world spend the majority of their day sitting at a computer punching away on a keyboard, but this can be unhealthy and lead to numerous problems, such as repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel syndrome. To avoid this, research products like a negative tilt keyboard tray as these can promote wrist health and allow you to work safely.
Remove Distractions
If you want to keep this an area for being productive, make sure that you do not have a television or any other items which can distract you. It is also important to inform those in the house with you that this is a room where you go to work and you are not to be distracted. In a similar vein, remove any clutter as this can make it difficult to concentrate and bring down the tone of the space. If you are using the office for work, it is important to separate this from your home life so avoid distractions and try to stick to a schedule when using this room.
Storage
The best way to remove clutter is to invest in storage solutions. Have places that you can keep documents, stationery and folders neatly organized, and it will have a huge impact on how the office looks and feels. Ideally, you will be able to keep your desk clear of clutter so that you can work comfortably each day. In addition to this, try to conceal equipment such as printers and look into cable management as this can also be a distraction as well as a trip hazard.
Lighting
It is great if you have lots of natural light pouring into the room as this can do a world of good, but it is also important to purchase lighting for times that you want to use the room when the sun goes down. Be sure not to choose anything too harsh – simple overhead lighting will be fine in most cases.
Plant Life
In addition to natural lighting, having plant life is a wonderful idea as this can bring a wide range of health benefits and add color and life to the area. Buy a few items for the room, but do not go overboard otherwise, it can feel like working in a jungle! A few corner plants or a desk plant can be a great addition.
Decoration
You will also want to inject your personality into the room so that it is somewhere that you enjoy spending time. This can be achieved with a few personal photographs, artwork on the walls, with a nice rug, a clock and by painting the walls. If you want to use this space for work, it might be best to opt for neutral colors as this can make it feel like a fresh, clean space that is ideal for getting down to work each day.
Safety
Safety is hugely important even if you will only be using this space for menial work. Think about the potential hazards that you face in your home office and take measures to either eliminate or minimize the threat. Avoid overloading power sockets, regularly empty the trashcan, keep the floor clear from trip hazards and shut down all electronics once you are finished using them.
Security
You may also want to take steps to protect your home office with various security products. This is a wise move if you have valuable equipment, important documents or cash. Boost the security with extra locks, window sensors, an alarm and a safe for complete security and peace of mind.
These are the key areas to keep in mind when setting up a home office. Whether you are using this space for work, for studying or simply for a space where you can get away from distractions and be productive, you will want to take the time to make it a functional and welcoming room so that you can make the most of it. If you will be spending a significant amount of time here, it is important that you ensure that you will be using the space in a healthy way and also take regular breaks. With a little planning, thought and care, this could be a fantastic space in your home that allows you to be productive and focus on the task at hand.
