Working from home is still relatively new for many of us and we are still finding our groove. When most of us chose our homes, factors like remote working or virtual schooling were not on our radar! However, this is the “new normal” and we need spaces that can help us be productive. So how do we design a work from home space?
Let’s look at four tips that can help you design your ideal work from home space.
1. Know Thyself
We are all different and we all work differently. Instead of trying to work around a space, find a space that works for YOU and your situation.
• Am I more productive when there is noise, or do I need a distraction-free zone?
• Do I need to be somewhat accessible to others in my home (such as your children)?
• Will I be working alone, or will clients or customers visit me in my home office? (While this may not be an issue during COVID-19, we do want to think long-term)
• What will I need in my home office? How much space should I set aside for technology, files, etc.?
Think about how you will arrange your office furniture to work in line with your natural workflow. It is certainly not productive if you need to get up every 5 minutes to reach for something!
2. Location!
Now that you have looked at how you work, let’s think about where you will work.
Perhaps you have a spare room that can be easily transformed into a home office. If so, that is great. If not, choosing a location for your office is a key step.
What should you look for in an ideal location?
Second, ensure you have space to work comfortably. At the very least, you need enough space to stand-up and sit down at your desk. For a base point, office designers allot 60” wide by 84” deep for a typical workstation.
3. An Office with a View
You may be spending hours in your office, so think about what you are going to be looking at.
Ideally, you have a window that you can look out, but if not, position yourself so that you can look at something interesting or to face a door.
When you take a break from looking at your screen – which you should do often – give yourself something pleasant to look at.
4. Make it about you – but stay professional
Again, this is YOUR home office. Have some fun and have it match your unique personality.
For example, I personally love feminine details. That is why my office has floral, feminine art and other design details that reflect that part of my personality.
While you can use filtered backgrounds, it is great to have a real background that is both interesting and professional. If you are often giving presentations or teaching over video conferencing, it is best to keep it simple. You want your audience to focus on you, not on the collection of knickknacks behind you.
At Lesley Wong Interiors, we love to help our clients create spaces that work. Reach out to us to find out how we can help you design your very own productive, stylish home office.
