6 Tips On Designing Your Home Office

Do you own a home based business? Or do you simply want a designated space for the occasional telecommute or to organize your schedule? Whichever the case, having a good, functional home office with a practical work space is important since your office is a direct reflection of the design & comfort of your home. Moreover, it’s a place you’ll probably be spending a significant amount of time. Fortunately, creating a charming, conducive work space is easy if you put a few things such as location, proper lighting and appropriate furniture in mind!

Tips for a great home office

1. Ensure proper lighting
Good lighting is important in a workspace since among others it prevents headaches and eyestrain. To sufficiently meet your needs, you should consider using various sources together. Some of the common types recommended for a home office include:

2. Task lighting
This concentrates illumination to a specific area and you can find adjustable task lamps on the market. Alternatively, mount halogen or fluorescent fixtures beneath shelves/cabinets to provide lighting over your work surface.

3. Ambient lighting
 It provides uniform level of light over a large space and there’s an option for a dimmer switch that allows easy variation of levels of light. Generally, several ambient lights are recommended for a home office than single ambient light so try to use recessed down-lights, large hanging pendants and flush-mounted pendants.

4. Organize both vertically & horizontally
Most home offices often have limited square footage, so it’s important to use space efficiently. Think of hanging floating shelves to get papers & other small office equipment off your desk. Additionally, use vertical folders on your desk to keep the important documents within arm’s reach. If you’re the kind who tends to make piles, make sure you have a beautiful basket to tame the mail, papers and notes. You can designate a specific drawer for “to-do” papers, especially if you want to have a clutter-free desktop. Metal cube or wooden storage is a great alternative to bookshelves as the spaces can be used for knickknacks, books or even baskets of odds & ends.

5. Get the right office chair for you
While a chair can be pretty expensive, it’s an important part of any home office set-up. Make sure you pick a chair that not only provides firm support but also one that comes with adjustability, depending on the time you’ll be spending working in the office. Generally, chairs that feature a five-star base & casters are ideal when you want maximum mobility because they enable easy movement from one work surface to another.

The most common chairs used for offices include

1. Executive Chairs
which usually have high backs with arms and are wide in size. Despite this, they may not be the most comfortable work chairs especially if they’re being used over a long period.

2. Kneeling Chair
 It’s an ergonomically correct chair where you sit in the kneeling position. You keep your back straight by placing both knees on a cushion.

3. Task Chairs
These are available with/without arms and are often designed with a slightly lower back than an executive chair.

4. Form is important
Each and everything in your home office, whether the desk or shelves, should serve you, not the vice versa. Factor in your workflow as well as what items your office needs before buying furniture, then look for beautiful and functional pieces. The furniture you choose should complement all other rooms in your home rather than scream “soulless cubicle.” If you want a modern office, consider going for artistic pieces and/or contemporary metal furniture. Soft, comfortable chairs and warm wood can be ideal if your house has traditional décor.

5. Give yourself a great view
When placing your desk, make sure you position it where you can look up from your computer and see something much more interesting than blank walls (even the paint is awesome). You can place it near a window to get views of the garden or hang a beautiful picture above your desk if you sit in a windowless work space.

6. Pick a color you love
Many people prefer beige when it comes to painting the walls of their home offices. But to get a functional, interesting workspace, go for a color that can get your work motor moving! For some people, orange, lime green or other cheery colors are ideal while others prefer a more calming shade such as botanical green. First know what you want before going to the market. Creating a comfy, functional home office can be much easier than you think. Follow these simple tips to get a work space that meets your needs!