An office that is not well designed could hinder concentration and decrease your productivity. With the following basic ideas to design your home office, you will have everything you need to start your project on the right foot. The idea of having your own home office can be exhilarating, but making design decisions is definitely another story. However, there is nothing to worry about. By breaking every big design decision into smaller chunks, you can shape your ideal workspace in no time! If you do graphic design for a living, you should understand the concept of creating a space that is inviting and workable. Now, let us dive into how to design a home office space.
Basic Knowledge
One of the first questions to ask yourself before you start designing your home office is its location. Where are you going to place your office? Is it going to be located in the basement of the house? Are you going to put your office in the guest room? Then create boundaries that allow you to clearly identify and define which spaces correspond to your home and which zones constitute your workplace. You can do this by using different colors that distinguish the space designated as an office. You can also choose furniture in completely different styles. Other things to consider are:
- What kind of work will you do in that space?
- Will clients visit you there?
- Will your colleagues or team members access it to work together?
- What kinds of materials do you need to have on hand?
- What kind of equipment do you require?
- Will you do videoconferences from there?
- What do you need to make it your space?
Would you use extra space on your desk to do your work? Or maybe you would prefer something that stimulates your creativity? Your desk and what surrounds it should fuel your productivity, especially when it comes to tasks that you do very frequently.
If you are going to receive customer visits, you should also keep their comfort in mind. How can you equip your space to make your clients feel welcome and appreciated? The answer may be obvious: invest in ultra-comfortable office chairs for your home office or incorporate an extraordinary detail, such as a coffee bar in a corner that you do not use. Speaking of comfort, you should make sure the air conditioning unit is in optimum condition and works well for you. This is one of things to consider as it relates to how to design a home office space.
Start Designing Your Office
To be successful as a freelancer or owner of your small business, you must feel comfortable with your work routine and work activities with the space in which you want to be creative. Follow these initial tips to start the process of how to design a home office space:
- Acquire the necessary equipment: Make a list of items you need in your office. Depending on your profession, the needs will be different. Perhaps the most basic items are a computer, printer, desk, and chair. You should also consider having a good network infrastructure, especially when you are working for an employer in your home. Take into account all the items that, in your case, you will need in your day-to-day routine. Activate a phone line for your business, or purchase a cell phone with a number available only to customers. This is a way to set limits on where and at what time they can call you. Set up your business digital phone system in a space that makes it easy to reach. That is one way of how to design a home office space.
- Light up your space: This is one of the most important aspects that you should take into account when designing your home office. Ideally, you should have natural light, as it is an important source of vitamin D, which can help improve your immune system. If your office is located in the basement, you most likely don’t have a lot of natural light. In this case, be sure to illuminate the office with a main light and a focused light to illuminate your desk. We are going to touch on this more down below.
- Organize and decorate your space: Still want to know more about how to design a home office space? Organize all the possible configurations according to the space you have. Having an orderly office will help you to be more focused on your work.
Storage Space
Find the best storage solutions that make it easier for you to find things. Although most people would typically place a dresser only in the bedroom, they might miss out on the sheer storage capacity and elegance that a dresser can bring to a home office. They feature plenty of drawers and surface space and come in a wide variety of styles.
Don’t forget the wall space because this is another way of how to design a home office space. Think beyond hanging photos and artwork. Install a large blackboard to jot down your ideas, a wall calendar, or even a huge bulletin board to keep your desk free of papers with reminders everywhere.
Put some stylish boxes or baskets on your shelves or multilevel console. This option is not only colorful and highly customizable. The small containers are ideal to take directly to your desk when you need it.
It can be overwhelming to realize the sheer variety of home office desks on the market, but once you have a good understanding of what you are looking for, finding the right design will be child’s play. You should not only find that it fits in your space, but you must also keep in mind that it has enough space to place everything you need and that it allows you to work comfortably on your projects. Once you determine how much space you need, think of other features that would be helpful to you. Do you prefer a minimalist and organized office? Then you need cable organizers. Are you short on space? A wall-mountable desk may be what your designer doctor ordered and it is one way of how to design a home office space.
Paint Color
The paint color in a home office is known to determine the atmosphere of the place, but did you know that it can also help you be more productive? With regard to this very positive effect, the shades of blue, green, and yellow are true sources of pure energy. Soft blues, greens, and purples help create a relaxing environment. Do you love neutral colors? Try gray or white – these shades are very versatile and radiate a feeling of freshness.
You don’t have to adjust to any specific color. If pink gives you the confidence you need, or if purple recharges you with energy, fill your personal space with those colors! Remember that trends are fun and advice is great, but ultimately it is you who knows what is best for you and your home office. Observe the layout of the area that you have designated as an office. Think of different options that best suit your needs and write them down so you don’t forget them. Consider hiring professional painters to get the right color combination for your office. They also know how to design a home office space.
The Aesthetics
The aesthetics might include the perfect lighting, the warmth, ambiance, décor, and materials used along with furniture pieces. Office spaces are often victims of a cold and drab appearance due to neutral colors, an abundance of electrical equipment, impersonal décor, or all of the above. Make sure your home office doesn’t end up the same way. Instead, choose materials with a warmer aesthetic. A simple way to create a more welcoming atmosphere is to choose furniture in natural materials such as wood and leather. Do you prefer glass or metal? These surfaces are great for being so easy to clean, though you should consider compensating for their industrial-made look with a couple of wood accessories or some potted plants. You should not only have adequate lighting to avoid visual fatigue, but much more than that. Having multiple light sources is a great idea. Invest in a good desk or table lamp as a secondary light source. Studies show that this can help you focus on the project at hand and, in addition, adjustable lamps are ideal for directing the light where it is needed.
Pro Tip: It’s a proven fact that natural lighting boosts productivity, so open those shades! You can also install spotlights that simulate daylight for when nature is not available to illuminate your space. This is a unique way of how to design a home office space.
The Correct Ergonomics
Your comfort and health should be a priority when designing your home office. The fact that the furniture in your home office is ergonomic will help you enjoy your new space more and, at the same time, it will help you take care of your health. And what does that mean? Choosing a desk and home office chairs with the proper height promotes correct posture and keeps your body well aligned. Often times such furniture will be labeled “Ergonomic” as this makes it highly desirable in the marketplace. In addition to having office chairs, you should consider changing the wood flooring to something that best suits an office setting. The windows should also match the projected look you are trying to portray.
Incorporating Privacy and Exclusivity
Since it is an extension of your personal style, your home office should feel like part of your home; however, you will also want to minimize distractions here. Therefore, you should create a space for privacy. Fortunately, there are many ways to mute the noise of the television or to remove that large pile of dishes from sight and get the privacy you need to get your ideas flowing. Although there are people who can work in noisy places, most need some silence to be able to stay focused. Therefore, it is important that you have privacy in your home. Putting on headphones to reduce noise can be a temporary solution. You could consider putting in window shades for privacy and also to block out the sunlight and to make sure no one can look inside and see you.
Glass pane doors can block out noise while preserving the appearance of spaciousness and clarity. They are ideal for small offices where you want privacy without feeling claustrophobic. The curtains can be perfect to avoid being distracted by what is happening outside the windows. You can replicate the idea of delimiting spaces that are not naturally separated by using fabric panels. It is a simple solution with an unlimited variety of colors and styles.
Screens are easily movable space dividers that offer privacy, versatility, and style, and can also be folded and stowed if necessary. They are a great solution for home offices that are right in the busiest part of your home.
Making it Personal
A great advantage of a home office is that you can decorate it however you see fit. Nobody can tell you not to put plants because they give them allergies, or that you have too many photos. The space is yours alone! Let your imagination fly and decorate with patterns that make you feel alive, with that special piece that you found in a bazaar or with memories of your travels. Your office should be an extension of your personal style. It should be a space where you really enjoy being. So, use these tips on how to design a home office space and you will come out a winner.
With these tips for designing your home office, we hope you can start off on the right foot in your new workspace. As a freelancer or entrepreneur, you will also have to worry about other aspects of your business, but for now, give the home office design some of your attention. A neat, clean and decorated office has a relaxing effect on the body and stimulates creativity. The environment created in this space directly influences productivity and personal performance.
Schedule a consultation with an interior designer in your local area, if that is an option you want to consider to save time. If not, you can get it done yourself. This remodeling project could be fun and the finish could be something to be proud of.
