How to Set Up an Efficient Home Office
Optimise your WFH space.
With more and more of us facing the prospect of working from home for extended periods, now is a better time than ever to really utilise your home office. So whether you already have a dedicated office space or set up camp in your living room, bedroom or dining area, our tips to creating the ultimate home office set up will help you create a space that works just as efficiently as you do.
Create a Neutral Workspace
Your home office furniture doesn't have to mimic a corporate setting. Say goodbye to cramped desks and secluded workspaces by welcoming neutral furniture into your home office set up. Opt for a computer desk in a natural wooden finish or wooden office chairs in muted tones and make sure to declutter with storage solutions like boxes and baskets. Adding potted plants, flowers and soft decor will also bring that much needed breath of fresh air into your space.
Steer clear of white-wash walls and stimulate your mind a with bold accent wall. Whether you prefer to paint or use wallpaper, don't be afraid to go a little wild with your colour choice or incorporate a print - just make sure it's something you love. Keep wall art, shelving and other accents to a minimum to give your home office feature wall the attention it deserves.
Tip: Go old school and add a chalkboard memo board to keep all your to-do's in check.
If you have a habit of sitting for longer periods of time, then a good ergonomic chair could be a worthwhile investment. There to help support your posture during home office hours, remember that it's also important to keep your eyes level with the top of your computer screen and try to avoid hunching your neck and back.
Tip: Our guide, Why Ergonomic Seating is a Worthy Investment should help you find the best model for your needs.
Don't Get Cornered In
If like many of us, you don't have a whole room to dedicate as your home office, why not try styling a corner study instead? You'll find that a corner desk will easily slot into any home office set up that other box-standard desks cannot. Corner desk sizes range from small, medium to large depending on how much space you want to use, so don't feel as though you need to be fully cornered in. And as many modern desks come with storage solutions like drawers, shelves and cabinets, finding a place to keep all your office supplies is a doddle.
Tip: L-shaped desks are also a great alternative to full length desk designs.
Avoid unnecessary stress or dips in concentration by hiding away any fiddly bits and bobs or distractions. Pop all your pens, post-its and other office supplies into storage pots or handy desk organisers Floating shelves make good use of your vertical space and are great for storing files, books and notepads, whilst storage trolleys can be stacked up and set aside in another part of your home office.
The right lighting allows for better productivity and we all know that natural light is the best light, especially for smaller rooms, so set up your work station near a window if possible. If that's unfortunately not an option, add a statement desk lamp and keep your focus on point for those dedicated working hours.
Tip: Wall lights are also a smart idea for anyone short on space.
Maintaining a strong work-life balance is key to getting the most out of your home office experience. Try to steer clear of blurring the lines between the two by adding furniture that can be easily stored away or re-purposed for when you decide to switch off and relax. Floating or folding desks are a great space-saving solution and are easy to tuck away during evenings and weekends. Remember, this is your personal home office so adding a few more plants, art pieces or anything else that helps to brighten up your home office set up should be top of the list. And besides, its not like your coworkers will complain now is it?
Tip: Looking for more home office ideas? Check out:
- 6 Small Space Desk Ideas That Are WFH Heroes
- Gaming Chair vs. Office Chair: Which to Choose?
- 5 Ways to Set Up an Outdoor Home Office
