Mary Kay allegedly started her business at her kitchen table. Many home-based business owners start in a small corner of their house. You may want to make your home office grow as your business grows. It could be time for a redecoration if your home office no longer inspires you. Consider these things when you’re updating your home office.
The Key Takeaways
- Decorate your workspace with items that inspire you to work at your best.
- Organizing tools can help you minimize clutter.
- Select the type of desk you prefer, whether that’s a traditional desk or a standing one.
What to consider when designing your home office
It’s important to think about a permanent office for your home, even if you don’t have many options at first. This will maximize productivity. Even the perfect home office can become stale. A periodic redesign of your office space can inspire and re-energize you. Here are some things to think about when designing or setting up your home office.
Office Space
When you start working from home, your kitchen table can be a great place to begin. But eventually, you will want a workspace that is conducive to your work. It can be tedious to have to pack everything up every night to leave the dining table. Ideal space is a space that’s free of work-related distractions, and with a door. This allows you to easily divide your work space and time from your personal space and time to achieve optimum work/life balance.
You should also consider other distractions such as the volume of TV, appliances, or outdoor activities. The temperature in the room should be conducive to work. You want to meet clients at your house, but you also need a space that’s close to the entrance and away from your normal living area.
Lighting
Natural lighting is a great option for home offices. You can use good lighting to illuminate your workspace and the surrounding area if you are in a dark room without windows. You can avoid eye strain and improve your mood by using light.
Note:
You should avoid straining your back when you sit at a desk for long periods of time. You can save money on some items in your home office, but not the chair.
Clutter Control
According to research, people who are messy are often geniuses. A messy desk can cause stress, drain energy and reduce productivity. It doesn’t have to be Martha Stewart-organized, but your desk should be well organized so that you can find the items easily. Place pens, paperclips and other office supplies in a cup, or another desk organizer.
Tip
You might consider switching to digital systems if you find it difficult to organize your papers.
Functional Office Space
Moving around is great for your health but it can also disrupt your workflow and interrupt your focus. Make sure you have easy access to items you use frequently. If you are a frequent phone user, it is best to keep the phone on your desk.
You should have plenty of outlets available if your home office uses a lot technology. Extension cords may give you more flexibility, but they can also be a trip hazard and get in your way.
Decorate to Motivate and Inspire
Even working from home can become tedious. It can be difficult to concentrate and work in a drab office. You can paint your office a color that you enjoy. Posters and pictures that inspire you can be hung. Surround yourself by items that make you happy, such as pictures of your loved ones, inspirational quotes or a visionboard.
Be Green
Designing an environmentally-friendly home office isn’t just about being kind to the earth. This can reduce your clutter and expenses. Reuse and recycle all paper and other materials whenever possible. Energy-saving light bulbs, power strips and other items can help you save money. You can save money on your electricity bill by using energy-saving methods.
Budgeting is Important
You can have fun decorating your home office but don’t waste money on useless items. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to save money, but you should be cautious at first. You can use items from your house to create a home office.
Wait to buy new computers, software, or printers until you really need them. Check out thrift shops for affordable furniture if you’re in need of new furniture.
What to do with your desk
Don’t overlook a vital piece of your office along with all the other issues that have already been discussed. The desk you choose should be suited to your job, your budget and your office. Consider the location of your office at home and if you require space for multiple monitors and monitor stands, as well as a keyboard drawer.
Traditional Desk
If you have a small space, prefer a minimalist look, or are just starting out, and do not want to spend a lot of money on office furniture, then if you choose simplest desk, it will work well. Even a table will work. However, if you want to keep your desk free of clutter, a desk with storage drawers is the best option.
You can place your desk in a corner, but in most cases you can also put it in the middle of a room, parallel to a wall or even in front of a large window. You can place the desk in a closet if your home office is located in a bedroom.
Desk with Hutch and Shelves
A desk with a bookcase or hutch is an excellent option if you have limited space but need to store your tools and supplies. A desk with a bookcase or hutch is a good option for those who don’t have a lot of space but still need to keep their tools and resources close.
Desks with hutches are usually placed against the wall because they take up vertical space. If you want the features of a desk hutch, but cannot afford to buy a new desk, then consider an inexpensive bookshelf that can be placed on your desk or shelves that hang over your desk.
L-Shaped Desk
An L-shaped desk can be a great option if you need to have many resources at your fingertips or if you want to spread out. You can place an L-shaped desk in a corner, if you want to save space. Or, you can get creative and arrange it in a V shape in your room. You can also place the desk perpendicularly to the wall. In this case, you can add a bookcase and shelves on the wall. This will create a U-shaped workspace.
You can make your own L-shaped desk if you don’t have the money to purchase one. Use an old desk and a table, or buy two desks at a thrift store.
Desk with T-Shape
If you need two workstations or have a partner with whom you are building a home business, t-shaped desks will be ideal. The top of a T-shaped desk may also include hutch or bookshelves, which will give you more storage.
You can make your own using two desks on the top and two along the stem. However, it will take up more space and cost more.
U-Shaped Desk
A U-Shaped Desk is an excellent choice if you are looking for a command center. It’s better to place a U-shaped desk in a large room because it takes up so much space. You get three separate workstations. A U-shaped desk is ideal if you want to have multiple monitors and also space for non-computer tasks. You can easily switch workstations by turning your chair. You can make your own U-shaped desks by combining tables and desks you already have, or those you find at a local thrift shop.
Galley Design
It is basically two desks arranged parallel to one another. The U-shaped desk offers the same benefits in that it allows you to swivel and work at either station. You can create a galley with two desks, a desk and a regular table or buffet.
Standing Desk
A sedentary life style is harmful to your health, according to research. A standing desk is a great alternative to sitting for hours on end. Standing desks often have all the same features as a regular desk, like a monitor stand and keyword drawer, but they are at a higher height so you can work standing up. Despite this, some research indicates that standing for long periods of time is not necessarily healthy. You can use an adjustable desk stand to allow you to sit or stand while you work.
FAQs
How can I decorate my professional office?
Use family photos and small area rugs to personalize the space. You can also add low-maintenance indoor plants and artwork.
What Should the Desk Placement Be in a Home Office
If you can, place your desk near any source of natural light. You can use lamps to brighten the room if you don’t have any natural light.
