As more and more employees work remotely, creating a functional home office is becoming more important. Whether it’s in the corner of a bedroom or a spare room, there are many ways to transform any space into an effective workspace.
Add some style to your office with pretty possessions like silver vases and vintage toolboxes to hold pencils, pens, and other work and art supplies. And don’t forget to invest in storage, which is key for keeping a tidy workspace.
- Design It to Encourage Focus
When designing a home office, the first thing to consider is functionality. Whether it’s your work flow or your ability to withstand distractions, a functional space will make all the difference in how you perform.
Aside from a desk and chair, a home office should have plenty of storage options for files, supplies, and computer equipment. Investing in shelving or filing cabinets is a great way to get organized and save time searching through piles of paper for that one important document.
Add a personal touch to your workspace with décor that inspires you, like photos of family and friends or a calming paint color. Houseplants are another stylish and healthy addition, as they help cleanse toxins from the air and increase focus.
- Get Organized
A productive home office requires a lot of organization. Start by arranging your workspace near a window to take advantage of natural light. You can also use a neutral color palette to make the room feel calm and inviting.
Avoid clutter by storing supplies in stylish containers that complement your home office design. Use recycled glass vases, metal cans and wicker baskets to organize desk essentials. Elevate your notebooks, plastic pens and other office tools by wrapping them in romantic French-toile fabric.
Decorate your home office with unique accents that reflect your personal style. Hanging framed artwork and small knick-knacks can help keep your work area from feeling too clinical. You can even add a wallpaper to your home office for a subtle pop of pattern.
- Make the Most of Your Space
No home office is complete without adequate storage. Built-in shelving and cabinets are the best option, but freestanding pieces will do as well. This is important for storing paperwork and equipment that can’t be digitized, as well as personal items like books and photos.
A great way to keep your space looking clean and organized is with the help of a whiteboard and calendar. These can be used to write down ideas, appointments and
deadlines. They can also be a great way to boost morale by keeping motivation high.
- Add a Desk
Whether you work at home full time or just pay bills and organize your calendar, a functional office is a must. It doesn’t need to be an expansive layout, either; a few small tweaks can create a functional home workspace that fits your style aesthetic.
A good desk is essential for ergonomic reasons, too. Make sure your computer and keyboard are at the correct height, so you won’t get eye fatigue from staring down at a laptop screen for hours on end.
- Invest in Storage
Organizing and maximizing space are crucial to creating a functional home office. Choose furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes and opt for storage shelves or cabinets in a sleek style to keep surfaces clean and clutter-free.
Nothing makes a home office look more unprofessional than messy stacks of papers or an inconveniently placed printer. Make sure to have enough desk drawers for your paperwork and use a filing cabinet to store supplies like folders and binder clips.
Also, invest in a local storage facility to securely store infrequently used items or archives. It will free up spaces for the things without which you cannot keep up.
- Create a Separate Space
If you don’t have a dedicated room to set up your home office, focus on quiet nooks in the house. Walk-in closets, kitchen nooks, and even under stair spaces can all be great places to set up your desk and work space. Don’t overspend on decorations as a budget will help you save for other important items. You can find yourself wondering how much an appliance service call cost and you don’t want to be in a situation where finances will stump you.
Nothing slows down productivity like a messy work environment, so keep a supply of zip ties and bread clips on hand to quickly neaten up cables and wires around your desk. Also, use a whiteboard and calendar to stay organized and keep up with important events.
A few houseplants will also add a fresh feel to your home office and help cleanse toxins from the air. Just make sure that any plants you choose are safe indoors before bringing them in your workspace!
- Add a Personal Touch
Home offices need to feel like a part of the home in order to inspire productivity. One way to do this is by adding decorative touches that are meaningful to you, such as wall art with motivational quotes or photos of family and friends.
Stylish storage solutions can also help you create a functional home office. For example, repurpose pretty possessions like silver trophies or vintage toolboxes to hold pens and other desk accessories. Or, tuck rolled-up sketches or blueprints into lidded baskets that double as a desktop organizer.