Posted on 4th Mar 2021
Modern working practices have brought greater freedoms. Where once people would have no choice but to trail into the office each day, more of us now have the opportunity to work from the comfort of our own homes.
But working from home means designing your own workspace. While this allows you to create an environment tailored to your needs, if not done right, it can lead to increased stress and procrastination.
In this blog, our office design experts are going to look at five tips you can use to create a successful productive home office environment.
The first thing you have to do is select an appropriate room. When choosing a room for a home office, location is key. You may feel like you want to be in the largest room in the house, or maybe you’d prefer to be in the conservatory overlooking the garden.
But rooms like these offer distractions which will affect your productivity. You may find yourself watching TV or wishing you were outside on a lovely day. So it’s better to look for a quiet bedroom or study which is out of the flow of the rest of the house.
The office chair is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home office. Make sure you choose a chair that is both comfortable and provides the support you need throughout the day. If you're sitting a lot we always recommend ergonomic chairs as these can improve or avoid back pain by supporting a better sitting posture.
Read the article on how to choose the right office chair. There is a lot to think about, but if there is one piece of furniture you need to get right it is this one. It’s always wise to choose the best chair you can afford and make sure you try a few out before making a final decision.
Most people underestimate the amount of storage they need when designing a home office. This often results in your workspace becoming disorganised and messy, which will affect both your workflow and productivity.
The good news is that you don’t need lots of space to create enough storage. It’s easy to hang a few shelves and hide a chest of drawers under your desk. This keeps everything safely stored away but within easy reach when you need it.
Natural light is important for your mental wellbeing and your eyesight, so make sure you choose a room with plenty of natural light. Ideally, this should be a large window, but Velux style skylights can work just as well.
You should also consider installing blinds or translucent shades which reduce glare from the sun without darkening the room too much. You should avoid heavy dark curtains if possible as they absorb light and darken the room too much.
If your desk isn't getting enough natural light an ergonomic desk lamp can be a helpful tool when reading documents and prevent headaches or eye problems.
If you have enough room, it’s a good idea to create a space away from your desk. A small sofa or comfy chair in the corner is enough. Just somewhere you can go to get away from the computer.
This will help you to become more creative and keep those stress levels in check. You can also use this area for conference calls or even meetings. Don’t make it too comfortable though, you might end up staying there too long.
Furnishing and equipping your home office can be fun, do it right and you’ll end up with a workspace that is designed specifically for your needs. This will allow you to become more creative and productive than ever before.
If you are looking to create the perfect home office, check out our collection of office furniture today. We also stock a wide range of ergonomic options including stand up desks, ergonomic keyboards and more, allowing you to create a healthy and truly personal workspace. Visit our online shop, visit us in Lismore or call 1300 557 822 if you have any questions. We're happy to support you creating the ideal home office.