Whether you work from home by choice or necessity, having a dedicated and functional workspace is a must to stay on top of your game. There’s just simply no comparable alternative to a thoughtfully-designed home office. And no — as comfortable as your bed might be, it’s still no better than a proper desk and chair. Without a physical boundary between where you sleep, work, and play, there’s hardly anything stopping you from distractions. That being said, if you want to increase your productivity, you’re going to need more than just a place to set up your computer.
Check out these simple but effective home office ideas from Quality DesignWorks to boost your productivity while working from home. Ready to take your renovation to the next level? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Let The Light In
You’d be surprised what a well-placed window or mirror can do to improve the feel of a room. After all, we’re hard-wired to wake up with natural light, so there’s no better way to get your workday started (besides maybe a good cup of coffee.) Don’t have that many windows in your office space? Use mirrors and white or light-colored furniture to reflect any available natural light and brighten up the room.
If you plan to install new windows, remember this golden rule: place them on a south-facing wall whenever possible. During the winter, south-facing windows allow the sun to warm the interior of the room naturally. In the summer, you can use light-colored shades and curtains to help reduce solar gain and keep the room cooler. Maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature can help you save on your next utility bill and keep you concentrated.
Use Smart Storage Solutions
One easy way to kill productivity is clutter. If you have to handle heaps of paperwork daily, invest in a decent filing cabinet that matches the décor. But, keep in mind that, when it comes to storage, less is sometimes better. Instead of distributing files in multiple cabinets and drawers across the room, aim for having a smaller, more efficient storage space close enough for easy access but not in the way (next to your chair.) Save space in your office for decorations, guest seating, and perhaps a cozy reading chair.
Looking for small office ideas? You don’t have to sacrifice storage to decorate your office. Consider built-in storage cabinets and furniture pieces with hidden storage compartments to make the best use of your space. Also, don’t forget to use your walls! Think of them as an extension of your room. Use open shelving to add more decorations that match your personality and style effortlessly. Make the room feel more like you to make yourself more comfortable in it.
Add Useful Distractions
Let’s be honest here — very few people can work for eight hours straight without a break. Trying to do so is not only hard but also counterproductive. Everyone needs a few minutes away from the computer every couple of hours to avoid eye strain and feeling overwhelmed. What you do with that time, however, is essential. Checking your phone is not any better than staring at the PC. Instead, have something to distract yourself with in the office.
The best thing you can do during your break is to look outside a window for a minute or two (yet another reason to have one in your home office) to give your eyes a much-needed break. After that, you need a distraction that won’t take too much of your time. Things like short books, magazines, a Rubik’s cube, hand weights, mind puzzles, and a yoga mat are great to keep around in the office. Just make sure you have a dedicated space for them.
Design A Room To Fit You
One problem we see time and time again is that at-home workers frequently change their work style to fit their workspace rather than the other way around. If you’ve already found your groove and are good at what you do, it doesn’t make sense to change how you work because of your workspace limitations. For example, if you worked fast with a dual-monitor setup at the office, don’t settle for a single screen at home due to a lack of desk space.
Even when space is limited, there are ways to make your new workspace fit your working style and preferences (get a VESA mount for that second monitor.) Similarly, if you know you won’t have time for much house cleaning, there are durable furniture and flooring materials that don’t require a lot of upkeep. A home remodeling expert with Quality DesignWorks can help you find smart design solutions to make your home office space a place where you can be productive.
Whether you’re thinking of building a home addition or want to repurpose a room into a home office, our design-build remodeling team is here to help! Contact us for more office design ideas or to schedule a showroom appointment.
