How To Create A Home Office That Works For You

How To Create A Home Office That Works For You

As more people find themselves working at home, the need for home office space is growing. Most of us don’t have a full room for our home office, or if we do, it is often one of the smallest rooms in the house. Don’t let a small space discourage you, though. It is possible to maximize your home office and build a space that works for you while you are working.

Maximize Your Home Office Space

My ideal home office has both function and style. A careful mix of the two is important as it allows me to concentrate on my work.

1. Light Up Your Home Office Space

When you are setting up your desk, be mindful of the light in the room. If you have a window, move your desk close to it. Depending on which direction your windows face, you can either place your desk directly under the window or over to the side. Either way, make sure you are set up to get the maximum amount of natural light for your workspace.

Natural light probably won’t be enough, though, especially if you find yourself working in the evening hours. Overhead lighting casts harsh shadows, so I think lamps are the way to go for lighting up your home office at night. A few table lamps in the room will provide enough light, and they are a great way to add a pop of color to your space. I love mixing and matching funky lampshades.

2. Fall In Love With Your Office Chair

If you are like me, you might find yourself spending more time in your office chair every week than anywhere else in your house. This is not the moment to buy a $10 chair from a box store. That’s not to say you need to spend $1000 on a chair(although this $1,000 office chair does look pretty amazing), but you should spend some time at the store trying out different chairs until you find one that is the perfect mix of cushy and firm.

3. Lift Up Your Computer

There are a few ergonomic rules you should follow while working in your home office. Make sure your computer screen is at eye level or a little below. Position your keyboard so your forearms are parallel to the floor when you are typing. These rules are important if you are sitting at a desk, but they are also important for standing. That’s right, standing – the best way to really lift up your computer. Have you tried it?

A standing desk set-up allows you to raise or lower your computer, so you can stand while you work. Think of this as a way to maximize your time in the office. As you stand at your desk, you can walk in place, move around, and do some low-level exercise while you work.

4. Bring Life To Your Home Office

Plants are important for your office. Research shows that plants make people happier and bringing a plant into your office is a great way to naturally improve your air quality. If you don’t have a green thumb, try a succulent; they are easy to keep alive and don’t need a lot of watering.

5. Embrace The Rainbow

Take a look at your home office walls. What color do you see? If the answer is white or beige, you probably need to take a trip to the paint store right now. Color can have a big effect on your mood and productivity. I like calming colors in an office space, but some people do better with bright and bold. Painting the walls is an easy way to bring in the perfect color to start your work day off strong every morning.

You can also add pops of color by wrapping your bulletin board in a fun fabric and hanging a few pictures on the wall. I try to keep my desk as clear as I can, but one picture or a cute pen holder can be nice, too.

6. Smart Organization and Smart Storage

Bookshelves are great for holding file folders, books, printers, and all of your other office supplies. If you don’t have room in your space for a bookshelf, hang some floating shelves above your desk. It’s the best way to use all of your space. And if you are in a rental, and can’t paint your walls, paint your bookshelves, instead!

7. Hide What You Can And Toss The Rest

Hide all of your cords so you aren’t staring at a mess while you work. A surge protector is great for protecting your electronic devices, and for gathering all of your cords into one place (I have mine tucked behind a desk so no one can see it).

If you have a lot of papers, you might need a filing cabinet, but before you add one to your space, make sure you really need it. Most people are able to get away with putting their files in a drawer. It’s worth it to spend a few hours going through old paperwork and tossing the things you don’t need to keep. You can always scan papers and back them up on a portable hard drive if you don’t need access to hard copies. This is a great way to save space.

Make sure to clear your desk completely at the end of each day. It will help you to be more productive and happy if your office isn’t cluttered and messy.

Your Home Office Doesn’t Need To Be Boring

My biggest tip is to not treat this space like an office. Sure, it is an office, and you will be working there, but it shouldn’t feel like a cubicle. Color, personal items, and good lighting will all go a long way to making you happy as you work. Make sure to put your personal touch on the space so you look forward to sitting down at your desk each day.

XOXO,

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