Are you one of the many people who were forced to hastily throw together what was needed to create a home office space this year? Maybe the original idea was that you’d work from home for a few weeks, and those few weeks have now extended to a more permanent setup. Suddenly, that space you put together in a rush may no longer fit the bill.
A home office needs to be more than just a desk where you work; it needs to promote efficiency, productivity, creativity, and should be comfortable, since you are likely spending many hours a day there. So, how can you improve upon each of those factors and create a space that truly is ideal for working in? We’ve got some basic steps and tips that you can follow.
Your Chair and Desk Will Work as the Anchor
While there are lots of elements that go into create a comfortable and productive office space, your desk and chair most certainly work as your anchor. Comfortable office chairs are something every workspace should have – whether that’s at home or in an office building. When shopping for office chairs, you want to be mindful of not just how it looks, but how it feels, i.e. the ergonomics of it.
Lakeland Furniture, which is one of the top suppliers of office chairs in the UK, places support at the top of the list during the shopping experience. They feature everything from large chairs with full back and lumbar support, chairs on wheels, more modern and space saving designs, to office chairs that resemble more of your living and dining room style of chair. What this means is that you’ll be able to find something that truly fits all your needs.
And what about comfort where your desk is concerned? Well, all those same qualities should apply – it should be functional, comfortable, provide you with ample workspace, and be ideal for your computer/laptop to sit on. Another feature you may want to look for is a desk that offers built in storage, as one can never have too much storage.
Embrace Natural and Artificial Light
Another tip is to focus on your light sources in your office space. The ideal solution is to have a combination of both natural and artificial light, as they each serve a purpose.
Artificial light obviously fills the gap when you don’t have enough natural light in a space, and it can be excellent in the form of task lighting. For example, a desk lamp may be necessary to prevent eyestrain and direct that light source right on your papers or computer screen.
At the same time, natural light serves its own purpose. First of all, it helps to brighten the space, but natural light also does wonders for a person’s mindset. There have been plenty of studies conducted over the years that show natural light is able to improve a person’s productivity level – which could be that dose of energy you’re looking for. It can also improve your mood, which allows you to be more focused and energised. This leads to fewer mistakes on your part.
Having ample light from either source also helps to prevent such things as eye strain and headaches, two common complaints those that spend a lot of time in front of computers have.
Invest in Ample and Proper Storage Solutions
Clutter is something you’ll also want to give attention to. Not only does clutter take away from the available workspace, but it can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stressed out, and make it difficult to find things you need and want. A clean and well-organised office space is one that promotes productivity, and therefore will have you feeling much more comfortable and at ease in your office space.
For many people, finding enough storage in their home can be tricky. Not many homeowners are complaining of too much available space, and now you need to find additional storage solutions. This is exactly why you may need to think outside the box. For example, think in terms of vertical space such as shelving you can install on the wall. Technically, you can take those shelves all the way up to the ceiling, giving you lots of available space.
If you don’t have the space for traditional filing cabinets, you can get creative here too. For example, the popular cubby-style shelving can be used as a filing system, but using portable file boxes and expandable folders in each cubby. You can even colour code them and create your own efficient system.
It’s Worth Making the Changes
At the end of the day, a well-organised and comfortable office space is something that will benefit you in many ways. What this means is that it’s well worth the time and effort you put into the redesign.