There’s no getting away from it; we are living in a digital age. With roaming internet coverage, cloud storage and less and less need for cumbersome wiring, the working environment is becoming increasingly flexible and many people are choosing to work from home. While it’s ok to make do with a laptop on the sofa for a few hours or even a day during the week, working from home on a regular basis requires a dedicated office to ensure that you can be truly comfortable and productive.
Whether you’re starting from the beginning with a transformation of the spare room, or simply wish to upgrade a makeshift space into something more functional, there are a few things to consider if you want to maximise the potential of your new office.
Location
Location is all important if you are going to successfully create a productive working environment at home. If possible, your office should be in a dedicated room of its own so that you have sufficient privacy and quiet to work in even when there are other people in the house. A spare room is perfect for this, but if you don’t have the luxury of an entire room then you should still aim for a well-lit corner that’s away from any high traffic areas and the distractions of the family TV set.
Ergonomics
When you spend a lot of time in front of the computer it’s important to have the right desk set up to protect your back and joints from excess pressure. Make sure you have enough space to house the keyboard, mouse and any paperwork without being cramped and invest in a chair with sufficient lumbar support and arm rests. When seated your feet should be flat on the floor with your knees at no less than 90o angles, and the top of your monitor should be level with your eye line.
Storage and Organisation
The last thing you want is to find yourself groping around your desk for that vital piece of information while a client waits on the other end of the telephone. A tidy office can contribute significantly to your productivity, so it’s worth investing in adequate storage to help you organise your paperwork, stationery and filing. From desk tidies to bookcases, your storage capacity will depend on the space you have to play with, but there are lots of clever solutions to help you make the most of any room layout.
Style
It may be an office, but this is still part of your home and the decoration deserves the same attention as any other room. It’s important for an office to be clean, bright and comfortable to enable the highest possible levels of productivity, so keep the colour scheme light and plain to ensure that it doesn’t become distracting. Aim for a style that is distinct from the rest of your house, to help create a subconscious divide between work and leisure. This will help you to work more efficiently during the day, and to switch off more easily in your down time.
This post was written by Nicky Hand. To create a working space at home you will need a few vital pieces of furniture, so I recommend Furniture Bay for a range of office chairs and desks.