Why Do You Even Need One?
When you’re working or doing business at home, you actually have the freedom to work in any section of the house that you deem to be convenient — may it be your living room, bedroom, or even the dining table. For those who talk to clients or fellow employees via videoconferencing, there’s a need to have a formal home office (or at least a decent background), but for those who freelance, do business or work solely on their laptop, PC, or even tablet, why should you even bother setting up a home office?
Home Office Productivity
Well, it all boils down to one thing: productivity. A home office, just like any office, puts you in “the zone”, you’re more conditioned to focus entirely on your work when you’re in your home office, as compared to setting up shop in your living room or dining table which is filled with distraction. So, when you’re planning and designing your home office, you should prioritize productivity (take note that even aesthetics can positively affect your mood and productivity). That said, we’ll be taking a look at various tips to help you design and plan your home office.
It’s All About Location
In most cases, your location will dictate your home office’s plan and layout — especially if you’re repurposing or remodeling a room or a section of it into a home office, instead of building outwards and adding a whole new room to your house just to serve as a home office. So, what exactly will you be watching out for in terms of location?
Space. Your home office should have enough space for you to move around in, it shouldn’t be a cramped corner of your room that makes you feel suffocated. If you hate the feeling of being in a cubicle (which may be one of the reasons why you have a home-based job in the first place), then make sure that your home office doesn’t feel like one. Your home office space should allow you to move side to side, stretch, and even walk around a bit without bumping into a wall or furniture. Being cramped in can significantly impact your focus, demeanor, and productivity, so give yourself space to breathe and work.
Foot Traffic. Choose a place that has little or no traffic, because there’s nothing more distracting than people constantly passing by. Plus, the fewer people you see, the less likely you’d get side-tracked, and you’d be able to focus more on your tasks. If it can’t be avoided, at least have dividers to give yourself more privacy when working (and also shield yourself from possible distractions).
Noise. Loud and distracting noises can be detrimental to your focus and productivity, which is why it is a must that your home office is not located adjacent to a busy street, or machinery, or an area of the home that’s constantly loud. This is also why many people opt to have their home office in the attic, far from all the noise and distraction.
Design and Layout
Furniture. Surely, you already have a design in mind — minimalist, wooden, modern/contemporary, and so on. But the difficult part is oftentimes finding the right furniture that maximizes your space and fits your design. If you want a more personalized home office, or if you’re having a hard time finding the right pieces of furniture that fit your home office’s layout and aesthetic, try looking for a furniture store in Salt Lake City that also offers custom furnishings.
Natural Lighting (and a View). Natural light is known to boost productivity and morale in an office setting, and it can definitely do the same for your home office. Try to maximize natural lighting to make your office look more breathable and spacious, and try to find a location that also gives you a view of the outside — perhaps that of your garden.
The Bottom Line
As mentioned earlier, your home office plan and design should have productivity in mind, then follow-through with the aesthetics. So make sure that you follow these simple yet essential tips in order to have your dream home office.
