Once upon a time, having a designated space as a home office was a luxury. Most people already had a cubicle at the office, so an additional place to get work done felt super fancy—more of a splurge than a necessity. But as we navigate stay at home mandates and companies are implementing working from home in their strategies, a designated home office is all but necessary. When it comes to a home office, lately some people have had to get creative. If you are fortunate enough to have a room that you can dedicate as a resource when working from home then consider yourself a step ahead. The following guidelines will help you establish a framework of what to consider when setting up your ideal home office space.
Proper lighting: The best way you can light your home office is to layer light sources. Minimizing glare and contrast is the key to reducing eye strain, which can make it hard to have a productive workday.
While a desk lamp is helpful for task lighting, use ceiling lights and under-cabinet lighting to further illuminate focused work and adjust light levels throughout the day to promote productivity and protect your eyes.
Window access: I can’t say enough about how a window in your office space can add value. Between the natural light it provides to the ability to open it for a breath of fresh air – a window in the home office will invigorate you.
Dedicated desk space: The desk is the centerpiece of the home office. It needs to be large enough for you to keep items you utilize on a daily basis within close reach. Is there enough space for a laptop and/or do you require a monitor and keyboard set up as well? Do you have adequate space for papers should you need to spread out? There are all types of desks available on the market today and their price point range varies. Trending today are the standing/sitting desks which enable the user the work sitting down or raise them so they can continue while standing – another great invigorator! Below, a pic of the "Surprise home office reveal" provides an example of an "autonomous smart desk" which allows my client to sit or stand easily with its motorization feature.
Ergonomic chair: This is a must have if you plan on sitting for long hours on a daily basis. The investment in a proper chair will pay off in dividends by saving your back and any issues that could result in having you spend the time and money at a doctor.
Noise control: We all could use a little peace and quiet these days and while quiet may be something that is hard to come by you can help limit noise with white noise. A standard box fan is a quick fix. There are also whitenoise APPs which you can download to provide you a range of choices.
Technology: Access to a strong wi-fi and robust computer can easily increase production. Perhaps you need access to multiple windows at once and a second monitor is a good choice? While for some, a wireless keyboard and mouse (thereby increasing typing speed) would be another option.
Color and aesthetics: Never underestimate the impact the right wall paint can have in a home office. Not only is it an easy way to refresh an outdated space, but the right paint hue could help increase productivity—after all, some paint colors are believed to have positive psychological effects. Studies even suggest that certain shades help stimulate your brain, while other hues are said to have calming effects that can lower stress levels. "A home office is likely to be a place you spend a lot of your day in, so it's important to consider colors that you are happy to be around for long periods of time," says Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. "Soothing, earthy colors like greens and blues evoke a feeling of calm if you are looking to reduce stress. While light colors, such as warm whites, are great if you want to create a room free of distraction." I tend to lean toward a good neutral, PPG’s -Hideaway (Surprise home office-pictured) or a calming blue-tone, PPG's -Aqua Smoke (Realtor home office-pictured), for many of my home office designs.
Personal touches: Adding details that will help make your life easier and time spent more productive are what can bring your home office set up to the next level. Consider a whiteboard for brainstorming, a cork board to pin ideas or chalkboard wallpaper to write out goals and track progress? Decorate walls with images that inspire and motivate you. The above client photo details a metal print showcasing a keyboard w/ “Plan B”. This is meaningful for my client who often refers back to the idea that you need a “Plan B” in life.
Take these recommendations as a starting framework to create the best home working environment you can. Being productive and creating a great workspace from our homes will be vital as we move forward. Many companies will be investing in their employee’s ability to do so, so take the time to research and create a space that you will want to spend time in.
La Bella Casa is an award-winning, full-service Interior Design firm specializing in assisting individuals and families in Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania, overcome their biggest design challenges. Lisa Griffiths, owner of La Bella Casa Interior Designs, is a true visionary who will bring your ideas to life. She masterfully creates living spaces that are magazine-worthy!
