Since 2020, many of us have been working from home in temporary spaces that were not designed for productivity. But as remote work became more common, a survey by Rated People found that 38% of homeowners decided to create a permanent home office. — Worldculturepost
It's not enough to just buy a desk, though. You need to plan carefully to create a home office that works for you.
“A home office should be a space that stimulates thought," says Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin. "It should have clean, sharp lines, comfort and creative inspiration from artwork or patterned wallpaper. A desk light is a great way to add style and design flair to an office as well as providing focused lighting. A chair should be comfortable, but not too comfortable. A leather armchair, for example, would suit a library vibe, where you can read and think, while a swivel chair would be better for writing tasks. And don't settle for a black foam seat, opt for a chair with mid-century velvet upholstery or a cantilever with interesting lines.”
1. Assess your home
To work effectively, you need a space of your own away from the noise and distractions of family life. It's also easier to maintain a healthy work/life balance if you have a separate office space in your home - and close the door at 5pm.
Find a space that is not used often and where you can concentrate. It doesn't have to be a whole room, but it has to be cozy enough for you to work in. Lockdown inspired many new home office ideas, such as the 'shoffice' (a shed turned into an office,) the 'cloffice' (a closet turned into an office,) and so on.
2. Think about what you really need and start from there
The main purpose of creating an office is to have a space that is suitable for your work - so functionality and practicality are essential.
If you need a lot of storage, look for a desk with plenty of drawers or a tall shelving unit to maximize vertical space. Chalkboards and desk organizers will help you keep track of things. Once you know what you need, then you can look for what you want.
3. Define the space
If you don't have a spare room, don't worry. You can carve out a part of a larger room and make it your office space. Use curtains, a screen, or a room divider to create some separation. If you're feeling creative, you can make your own divider by joining three panels of MDF with hinges and covering them with stylish wallpaper.
4. Make your workspace a source of inspiration
A cluttered desk can hinder your productivity, but a few items that motivate you can make a difference. Postcards of your favourite places, a vision board, or some print and pattern to brighten up your home office can help you work better. But don't go too far - too much clutter can also clutter your mind.
Note: "I have always tried to make my office feel more like home. You would probably rather be at home, so why not make it more homely? I had my desk made from recycled wood by local artisans. I use rugs and carpets, interesting paintings or photos and old furniture such as Georgian corner cabinets. Apple crates serve as book shelves and space-dividers." Alastair Sawday, founder of Sawday's
5. Go outside
Think about converting your garden shed or outdoor room into a workspace. Outdoor offices are great because they give you a sense of distance from home life, and there are less distractions. Plus, being closer to nature can also boost your creativity.
The shoffice can come in various shapes and sizes, from small wooden cabins that you can order online, to custom-made garden rooms that cost a lot of money.
6. Embrace the benefits of nature
Studies suggest that we can make our workspaces happier and healthier by being close to nature. Looking at rural scenes can lower stress, anger and fatigue while increasing happiness, energy and mental function. Try putting an indoor herb garden or bonsai tree on your desk, or you could choose a piece of wall art that shows the natural environment.
7. Choose your colour wisely
A strong blue stimulates clear thinking, while softer blues calm the mind and help focus. Brighter colours, like yellow and orange, help ignite creativity and energy, but too much can also cause anxiety.
A soft green is a good balance. In colour psychology, green is linked to balance and harmony, and acts as the bridge between energizing warm colours and soothing cool colours.
Darker colours may look chic but are not very stimulating and may make you more sleepy and less willing to work. Keep your space light and airy but think about painting one wall a more vivid colour to keep your creativity going.
8. Don't overlook the kitchen
Only 7% of us used the kitchen table as office space (compared to 21% who worked from the living room,) but the kitchen has many features that make it ideal for a home office - spacious walkways, good ventilation, ample storage. A built-in office like this one from Wren Kitchens integrates smoothly within a kitchen, with surfaces that are easy to clean and extra cabinets and drawers. It's also a nice perk that the fridge is nearby...
9. Optimize the lighting
A bright room is vital to feel alert and prepared for the day. Lighting can have a big impact on your creativity, as a dim space can make you feel sluggish and unmotivated. Try to make sure your office has access to plenty of natural daylight. Place plenty of mirrors around the room to bounce any natural light you do have.
If your desk faces a wall, try positioning it so that you have a window view instead - it will help to give you some relief from staring at the computer screen all day. If this is not possible, try using a good natural light lamp like the Beurer Portable Daylight SAD Light at John Lewis.
10. Get up
Sitting down too much is not very good for our bodies or our minds. If we start to slouch physically, often our minds start to slouch too. Working at a standing desk will help you feel more energized and focused, as well as reduce the risk of back pain from unsuitable chairs, or bending over a laptop.
Desks like the below are perfect for at-home offices. They simply sit on top of your existing desk and let you stand up and sit down in intervals without having to move any of your stuff.
