Long gone are the days when working from home seemed like an anomaly. Today, thousands of employees are working remotely from home in the comfort of their own office. The office has become a room in the house for a lot of people. Whether you’re a virtual employee, own a business, or simply need extra space for handling paperwork, the home office should be a welcoming space.
Working at a desk all day or extended periods of time can be grueling and mundane but you can easily change that with an appealing workspace. To make the setup manageable and enjoyable, follow the tips below for setting up your home office. With these tips, you’ll find yourself feeling extra motivated to finish any task.
Pick Your Spot
The first and most important step in setting up your home office is choosing the perfect location. Envision the ideal spot in your house to set up shop. If you’re a working parent that needs to keep an eye on the kids, choose an area in the home where you can be in earshot and eye view. Nooks around the house work perfectly for this scenario. If you know you’re going to be distracted by noise and family members, choose a separate room so you can have your privacy. You may even want to consider a room that is furthest away from all of the clamor of daily living.
Don’t forget to consider the size of the space that you will need. Will you be using a full-size desk? Bookshelf? Filing cabinets? Drawers? The list can be extensive depending on the nature of your work. The last thing you want to do is cram yourself into a small room and find that you’ve quickly run out of space. A home office can get cluttered fairly quickly so choosing a decent size for your needs is vital. Whether that be a full-sized bedroom area, an attic space, or a study-size room, plan on the space you will need before you begin setting up.
Light It Up
There’s nothing worse than a room that resembles a dull and lifeless dungeon. The lighting you choose will either make or break your office experience. A home office should always be well-lit so you can focus on your toil with ease. Even if you enjoy having an office with dark and wooded features, including the proper lighting is paramount. Choose a room that has windows that will bring in natural light. If you really want it to be bright, having French doors as opposed to traditional doors will also bring in more natural light. Even a room with a skylight can do wonders. Natural light gives life, freshness, and a beckoning invitation to stay a while and send one more email.
In addition to natural lighting, using artificial light with lamps can also help make your office snug and inviting. Add an extra lamp or two near your work area or lounge chair. Find a desk lamp that you can use to add an extra pop of light when you need it. If you really want to spruce things up, choose a desk lamp with style, a quaint or unique look can bring out some much-needed pizazz.
Choose a Perfect Desk Location
The first thing to consider before you begin decking out your desk is to decide where you want your desk to stand. Placing your desk near the window really helps to take the edge off a monotonous day—just don’t get too distracted. Don’t stand your desk directly in front of the window if you’re going to be using a computer camera during your workday. This will make you look like your glowing white.
Instead, choose an area that is near the window for more natural light, and have a desk lamp in case you need the extra light. You should also consider whether or not you want your desk to face the doors or not. Again, if you’re a working parent, sometimes just facing the door can help you feel at ease that you won’t miss anything should it come up. Lastly, make sure there are wall outlets nearby for any chords, cables, or surge protectors that you might use. Don’t forget to pick a perfect chair for your desk too. Comfort is key.
Decorate Your Desk
Now comes the fun part of making your desk simply irresistible with some great decor. Aside from the necessities such as a desktop or laptop computer, adding some eye-catching items can help add pleasant vibes to your space. Buy a small plant that will generate some healthy oxygen and give your desk a vibrant and refreshing feel. Succulents work great as desk plants because they are so small and easy to maintain. Choose a few pictures of family, friends, and loved ones to distract you when it’s needed. It’ll give you an extra boost of encouragement as you work. A candle with a sweet or stimulating scent can also help you feel snug and satisfied at your desk. It’s best to keep your desk minimally decorated because impending clutter from paperwork is inevitable. You’ll need the room. When you clear it up you’ll be able to look with approval at an organized yet warm and cushy desk area.
Set Up Storage
Just like any other room in the house, storage always seems to be a big issue. Filing cabinets of all shapes and sizes are always available but there are some more interesting options too. Wall shelving will make the office seem bigger and less cluttered. With a little research, you can find all kinds of exclusive shelving for the walls ranging from wooden shelves to shelves made from a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. Of course, you can always stick with a traditional bookshelf too.
If your desk is large enough, utilize the space beneath and hide any items that you’d rather keep out of view. Or, you can use the area underneath to store a foot massager or ottoman to keep you energized but cushy as you tackle your to-do list for work. The underside of your desk can also function as storage for unsightly cords and power outlets.
Spruce Up Your Walls
The walls in your home office play a considerably imperative role. The walls are typically what we all end up staring at when our eyes begin to glaze over from a long day. Spruce-up your walls with colors, patterns, and pictures. Make your walls reflect your sense of style. You can include artwork, bulletin boards, and even dart board to keep things interesting.
There’s no telling what you can do with your home office space. Your office should be exactly that–yours. Incorporate all the things you love to help you stay alert and focused. Before you know it the drudgery of the 9-5 will become your favorite part of the day.
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