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With the uprise of remote work, a well-designed traditional office space has become more important than ever before. Productivity is a quality we all strive for. Office spaces have practical use for a variety of occupations, including freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers. Your office space plays a critical role in personal focus and overall satisfaction in your work. At Artisan Renovation & Design, we specialize in creating functional home spaces.
The Importance of a Well-Designed Home Office
Your home office is more than just a place to sit and get things done. It should be a space designed to suit your needs. By fostering creativity, minimizing distractions, and being built to support your workflow your office environment can be optimized for you. Poorly designed spaces can reduce productivity. When you spend time in a space, it has an impact on you. If your office is cluttered and uncomfortable, your mind will be as well. Investing in changes to promote creativity and focus will only improve your life in the long run. Investing time and thought into your home office design sets you up for success.
Here are just a few benefits:
Increased Productivity: A well-organized, comfortable, and efficient workspace helps you focus. By reducing distraction and fostering a peaceful workspace, your home office can boost your ability to work well.
Better Work-Life Balance: A dedicated workspace allows you to “leave” work at the end of the day and mentally transition back into personal time, helping you maintain boundaries. This has a profound impact on overall mental health, especially for remote workers.
Key Principles of Home Office Design: Along with suiting your tastes, an office must be functional. Identify your needs and work style, and adapt the space accordingly. But how? There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are design principles that serve to guide. We’ve compiled a list of common directions, mix and match what works best for you.
1. Be Comfortable
Focus is key to quality work. Distraction is hard to avoid in a home office, therefore it is crucial to eliminate it when possible. Prioritize comfort. Long hours at your desk cause strain on your body, leaving aches and pains well past work hours if proper support is not available.
Try this:
An Ergonomic Chair: Offering quality support has become increasingly common for desk chairs as remote work demand rises. When shopping for a new office seat, look for back, neck, lumbar, and arm support. Ideally, this chair should be adjustable to increase the product's longevity in your life. The Spruce has a great list of the best ergonomic chairs.
Adjusting Your Desk Height: Proper desk height promotes good posture and reduces strain. Set your desk so that your forearms are parallel to the ground when you type. Place your feet flat on the floor. If this isn’t possible, utilize a footrest. For most people, this desk height is 28 inches.
Changing Monitor Position: Reduce eye strain caused by screen use. Sit up straight in your desk chair at your newly adjusted desk height. Take note of your eye level. This is where the top of your monitor should rest. By setting the monitor at eye height, about two to three feet away from your face, you will reduce the strain on your eyes and neck.
2. Maximize Natural Light
Natural light boosts productivity, improves your mood, and reduces eye strain. When the option is available choose to position your desk near a window. You may have to work throughout the day, but you shouldn’t let it prevent you from seeing the sun. Unfortunately, the sun and display monitors don’t always agree. To mute light, put up sheer curtains or blinds. Or, for a more straightforward solution, simply position your desk out of direct sunlight. Bright, well-lit spaces are good for your mental health. Positive, energetic energy from the sun will keep you motivated throughout your workday.
3. Separate your Space
Zoning, or separating workspaces, is a fantastic overall principle to keep in mind for a home office. An intentional approach to layout could be the factor holding your office back from being truly great. One of the challenges of working from home is maintaining a healthy boundary between work and personal life. Creating different areas for different tasks helps your brain transition into the proper mindset to work quickly and efficiently. In larger spaces, this can be as easy as designating areas. In smaller areas, similar effects can be achieved with a little work.
Let’s elaborate:
Separate Workspace: Designate a space for only work. When you enter that space, it's time to focus. Assigning this area also helps you ‘leave’ work at the end of the day, even in the confines of your home.
Visual Dividers: For homeowners, you may have a designated home office. The visual separation of space is valuable. When our lives have taken a different path than we expected, this space may not be pre-assigned. If your office space is being used for another purpose, there are still ways to cut off the area. Folding dividers or curtains are great temporary fixes while you plan a more permanent space.
4. Incorporate Personal Style
A home office is a place where you should feel comfortable and inspired. Find inspiration in elements you enjoy. Colors, pieces that speak to your personality, items related to your interests—all of these will create a space you can work in peacefully.
Art and Decor: Bring life into your office space. Have a favorite art piece? Hang it near your desk. Personal touches like photos, plants, and small trinkets help transform the room from a sterile workspace to an environment that motivates you to do your best work.
Color Scheme: Did you know colors have an impact on your mood? Cool-toned colors promote focus and quiet, whereas warm bright colors increase energy and creativity. Evaluate your work style. Which do you need more of? Steer your decor selections in that direction.
5. Invest in Technology and Tools
Office technology is constantly evolving. The right tools, technology, and organization methods are key to performing well at your job. Using the tools available to streamline your workflow will increase personal productivity. Different tech strategies are used for different workflows, but intentional, well-considered choices are the important part.
High-Speed Internet: Reliable and fast internet is a must. Take some time to compare and contrast the options available to you. Once you’ve optimized your internet, ensure your router is placed in the best location to provide a strong connection.
Quality Lighting: Natural light is preferred, but isn’t always available. A good desk lamp is essential. Look into options with adjustable light levels. One lamp can provide bright light for notetaking or dimmer levels for when you just don’t want to sit in the dark.
Video Call Workspace: If you attend regular video calls, it may be worth investing in higher-quality equipment. A quality webcam, a good microphone, and noise-canceling headphones will increase your professionalism in virtual meetings. Appear at your best!
Organization: On a micro and macro scale, organization is often set aside in a home office. Even when no one else can see it, clutter can easily overwhelm you. Keep your office tidy. Invest in storage solutions. File cabinets, shelving, or desktop organizers are all options that can help your space stay clean and efficient.
The right home office design can have a profound impact on how you work and how you feel while working. By considering comfort, functionality, lighting, and personal style, you can create a space that not only helps you stay productive but also fosters creativity, focus, and well-being.
Do your best work in the comfort of your own home. Make your workspace a priority.
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