4 Things to Consider for the Perfect Home Office
Your home office should be your work sanctuary. It should be a space that inspires productivity and gives you the mental and physical room you need to get things done. Whether you work from home full-time, finish projects after hours, or use your home office for hobbies or a side hustle, a well-appointed office can make a huge difference when it comes to productivity. How can you boost yours? We’ll go over the things you should think about when establishing your own home office.
Space
You’ll need to determine this before you go any further: decide which room or area in your home will serve as your office. Maybe your home’s layout includes space for an office, which may make the decision easy for you. Or perhaps you will decide that one of the extra rooms upstairs has space that is more conducive for you. The area you choose will depend on both what’s available as well as your needs. For example, if your home office will serve as your scrapbooking area, you may need a place that has a closet with lots of storage. Establish your use of the space early on to make sure it will serve your needs.
Layout
Once you have the space chosen, the next step is to determine how you’ll use it. To set yourself up for success from the very beginning, ask yourself a few questions, such as:
- What will I be doing in this space?
- What equipment and/or furniture will I need?
- Will I need privacy?
- Are there extra things I need to install to get my work done?
Having a solid understanding of what you need from your workspace before you begin furnishing and decorating can save you time in the long run. Do you work best at a desk or on the couch? Get creative and map out where you’d like to put things before you go shopping.
Decor
Yes, your home office will be a workspace, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp when it comes to decorating it. In fact, an office that brings you peace and joy can greatly affect how often you want to work in it and, in turn, how much you get done. Think about all aspects of the atmosphere you’re creating: colors, lighting, and style. Color psychology can help guide your choices, but the best thing is to go with colors that motivate you, whether this be a cool, calming gray or vibrant lavender.
Your view is also an important consideration. Do you want to face the window? Or do you like to face the door so you can see who’s coming? Maybe hanging a beautiful piece of art in your view will be what inspires you. Don’t forget about natural beauty, either—houseplants offer a nice touch to any style of decor, along with making the air fresh with oxygen.
Equipment
Having the proper equipment might be the most important part of getting work done. Invest in a comfortable chair that will be supportive for longer stretches of work. If you prefer to work on a couch or in a chair, use a laptop for portability. And whether you have a laptop or desktop, a second monitor can be very useful for organizing different tabs and programs. Don’t forget about good speakers or headphones to play music or background noise that can help you focus. Bookshelves are great for offices because they give you lots of vertical and horizontal storage.
Knowing how you best work is the foundation for setting up a great home office. Ready to discover your own perfect workspace? With over 100 different floor plans, you’re bound to find one with us that will fit your unique needs. Check them out now!