If current trends are anything to go by, more and more of us are going to be working from home over the next few years. As technology gets better, increasing numbers of professionals are making the most of the flexibility that better connectivity allows and setting up their professional life in the most personal of spaces – their home.
Whether you’re running your own business or working remotely, there’s no denying that the look and feel of your home office plays a huge part in your productivity and your mood. A cramped, cluttered area will increase stress levels. A plain, Spartan space will sap your energy and creativity.
But how can you inject the right amount of personality in this primarily functional area? And plan an office which meets your professional needs? As you may have guessed, I have a few top tips to help you make your home office the perfect work environment, with plenty of personality to keep you happy and productive.
WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?
The key to a comfortable, functional home office is having the ideal facilities at your beck and call. If you’re an architect, a sizeable table for working on blueprints will make a huge difference to the quality of your work life. If you spend your days in front of a computer, an ergonomic chair will make your profession less of a pain in the neck.
Before you start thinking about style and design, run through how you spend your typical day. Imagine how that day could be made more convenient and comfortable, then create a list of must-have features to make home working a little more heavenly.
CONSIDER YOUR CLIENTS
If you’re going to be welcoming clients into your home office, it’s worthwhile thinking about their comfort when you plan your office revamp. While a sophisticated space will impress, nice additional touches such as an umbrella stand, a little surface such as a side table to put their bags on, readily available stationery and comfortable client seating will make a big difference to the impression you create and their enjoyment of the space as well as yours.
SEEING THE LIGHT
Well-planned lighting is essential to any workspace. Poor lighting can give hard workers eye strain, decrease your motivation and make doing what you do best all the more difficult.
Natural light is the best lighting if you’re making heavy use of a computer. Make sure you get the most from any windows by keeping them clean, clear and unhampered by curtains and blinds. It’s also a good idea to position your desk or computer screen so that it is not in direct sunlight. This can cause reflections and glare which can result in Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
Natural light is the best lighting if you’re making heavy use of a computer. Make sure you get the most from any windows by keeping them clean, clear and unhampered by curtains and blinds. It’s also a good idea to position your desk or computer screen so that it is not in direct sunlight. This can cause reflections and glare which can result in Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
For those hours when you do not get natural light in your workspace, invest in good quality overhead lighting which looks beautiful but keeps your space effectively illuminated. Supplement this with a good adjustable desk lamp or floor lamp which you can position to brighten up specific areas as and when you need a to shed a little more light on the subject!
TIDYING UP
Clutter doesn’t just look unprofessional and disorganised to clients, it can also make your working life feel more stressful. This means that finding spot-on storage is essential for any home office. I for one get completely distracted and am unable to function effectively in a cluttered space. A desk tidy will help you keep your surfaces spick and span. Meanwhile shelving, desks with plenty of storage and chic filing cabinets will keep all of your essentials neatly tucked away until you need them.
THE PERSONAL TOUCH
Once you’ve worked through all of these essentials, it’s time to add your personal touch to your home office. It’s common for offices to have a rather “bland” feel, but brightening up your space with the finishing touches with inspire and motivate you will give clients a flavour of what you’re all about and help you feel happy in your work. One of the perks of working from home is that you do in fact have more flexibility in decorating your space and you can get away with a space that is less formal and a bit more personal.
Concentrate on little extras which give you a motivational boost, whether that’s artwork by your favourite painter, photographs of your professional idols, awards which you’ve attained or images of your friends and family. A neutral colour scheme is often the best base for a personal office, giving you the freedom to add your decorative touch flexibly, while maintaining a seamless design.
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