Home office spaces are essential, from an entire room dedicated to work to a little nook tucked into your kitchen. The work-from-home trend is here to stay, so you may want to rethink what you’re “working” with.
As our world has completely turned upside down over the last couple of years, home offices, aka Zoom rooms, have been at the top of many of our clients’ priority lists. We’ve been forced to rapidly evolve how we explore and think about these individualized HQs.
We examined the most vital elements in a successfully designed home office. In doing so, we came up with four that we feel are most pivotal.
Productivity
It may be obvious, but considering what best promotes productivity in your home office is crucial. Although you definitely want an aesthetically pleasing office space, you don’t want a distracting room. Nowadays, smart gadgets such as assistant devices (Google Home, Alexa) are useful for setting reminders or receiving essential notifications.
You can also utilize apps on your desktop or laptop that encourage productivity while in your office space. Site blockers will limit online distractions and help you stay on track. Additionally, creating a workspace can also help you improve productivity because you come to associate the space with being focused and on task.
Comfort
Discomfort can be distracting. When spending about 40 hours in your workspace, you want it to be comfortable. This is the reason ergonomic items exist.
Comfort is not just about a soft chair to sit in. Sure, you want your chair to be comfortable because you’ve got to sit in it all day. However, you’re looking for ergonomic functionality instead of plush softness. An ergonomic workspace includes a few other key things:
- A sturdy office chair that supports your spine. This is critical to provide the proper support that keeps your back from hurting or irritating your sciatic nerve.
- A desk that is a proper height. The right height is the one where you can view your screen at eye level without having to put unnecessary pressure on your neck.
- An ergonomic keyboard and mouse. A good keyboard and mouse help your wrists stay neutral while you work, decreasing stress that may otherwise result in carpal tunnel syndrome or unnecessary muscle fatigue.
- Good lighting. Never underestimate the lighting because it can impact how much you stress your eyes. Poor lighting can result in headaches and eye strain.
- Accessories that reduce stress or bring joy. There’s a reason people have fun items in their workspace or those that encourage stress relief. Humidifiers, houseplants, or candles can also create a better ambiance when you’re trying to be productive.
Adaptability
Having an office space that is still versatile is essential. Gone are the days when people’s homes are full of one-purpose areas, so you want to be sure your office space can still serve multiple purposes.
An easily adjustable desk is a must, but you may also consider other options like wall-mounted shelving or adjustable shelves in your closet. Having these allow you to shift the storage space between hanging clothes and books.
You also want to think about using various pieces of furniture so they can be used for multiple purposes – a desk, an entertainment center, or even a kitchen island can work depending on what you need at any given time.
Finally, don’t forget about the things that can be repurposed. For example, an ottoman can easily serve as a footrest, storage bin, or even a side table in your office space.
Adapting and being flexible will help you make the most of your home office. Whether you need to work from home during an emergency or you’re able to telecommute, having a space that can be flexible and still maximize your productivity is invaluable.
Style
Working from home isn’t going anywhere any time soon, so you may as well create an environment that inspires you to be your best self.
Learn what drives your productivity the most. Is it a quiet space? Music in the background? Apps? Smart home devices with alerts? Once you know what works for you, you can stylize your room to be productive.
You can also base your ergonomic comfort on your individual style. If you want a bold, red chair, you can have that — just make sure it’s ergonomic. If you want to use a butcher block island as your desk, so you have multiple choices for storage, you can do that too. Don’t be afraid to be adaptable.
The bottom line is that you’ve got to find ways to match your personal style and add guaranteed value to your home. Having a home office is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity!
